5 March 2026
Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) competition flying, a sport that has exploded in popularity in the United States, will make its debut in the UK this summer with the creation of a new national body and the launch of the country’s first dedicated STOL competition event.
A new not-for-profit organisation, STOL UK, has been established to develop and oversee STOL flying activities across the UK. The organisation has already secured membership of the Royal Aero Club, becoming the first new air sports organisation to do so in more than 30 years.
Working closely with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, STOL UK has also developed a framework of competition rules and procedures intended to allow UK airfields to host STOL competitions using a consistent and approved format.
STOL flying centres on aircraft capable of extremely short take-off and landing distances, with competitions typically judged on how quickly and accurately pilots can depart from and return to a marked runway zone.
The discipline has seen rapid growth in recent years, particularly in the US where organisations such as National STOL have developed structured competition formats and safety procedures in collaboration with the FAA.
While STOL demonstrations and events have begun appearing across mainland Europe, the UK has so far had little presence in the scene. Advocates believe the arrival of organised competitions could provide a fresh boost to grassroots aviation.
Patrick Wilkinson, Chairman of STOL UK, said the initiative could help reinvigorate parts of the light aviation sector.
“The response to our proposals from the CAA and the Royal Aero Club has been very supportive,” Wilkinson said.
“We genuinely believe that as a new exciting air sport, in contrast to the general decline in light aviation, it provides a significant ray of hope — especially as it clearly attracts a younger pilot audience. It gives a great long-term purpose and a new social focus for light aviation pilots.”
STOL flying is particularly popular among owners of permit aircraft, bush planes and homebuilt types—segments of general aviation that organisers hope will benefit from the increased visibility and activity.
First UK STOL competition planned for June
The first competition organised by STOL UK will take place at Breighton Airfield in Yorkshire from 19–21 June 2026, under the banner realSTOLfest 2026.
The event builds on a STOL fly-in held at Breighton in 2025 that attracted more than 70 visiting STOL aircraft, demonstrating strong interest in the concept and prompting organisers to establish the new organisation and formal competition framework.
Pilots wishing to compete will first take part in an evaluation programme the day before the competition begins. This assessment process is designed to confirm pilot competence while also allowing competitors to practise at the airfield and familiarise themselves with local conditions.
Detailed pilot briefings will be mandatory, with organisers emphasising that safety will remain the top priority throughout the event.
William Newton, Event Director for realSTOLfest 2026, said early interest has already been encouraging.
“We only began marketing the event a few days ago and the response has been excellent,” he said. “We already have some amazing aircraft wanting to attend or compete, including some well-known international pilots.”
STOL UK board members have also travelled to the United States to observe established competitions and adapt best practices for the UK environment. Experienced organisers from the US STOL scene are expected to attend the Breighton event to support the inaugural competition.
Momentum behind STOL competition flying is growing internationally as well.
In February 2026, the Commission Internationale de Microaviation (CIMA) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) approved regulations formally recognising STOL as a competitive discipline within microlight aviation.
The new format is expected to be governed under “Annexe 10 – STOL” of the FAI Sporting Code, paving the way for official European and World Championships in the future.
Several STOL competitions are already planned across Europe in 2026, including events in France, the Czech Republic and Denmark alongside the UK’s Breighton event.
With a new governing body, international recognition, and the first UK competition on the calendar, supporters hope STOL flying could become one of the most dynamic new additions to the British recreational aviation scene.
French STOL Championship
La Réole (LFDR) Regional competition, 2-3 May 2026
La Ferté Gaucher (LFFG) Regional competition, 6-7 June 2026
Belmont St Affrique (LFIF) Final of the French STOL Championship, 3-4 July 2026
More info https://ffplum.fr/sport
Great Britain
Breighton Airfield (EGBR) The Real STOL Fest, 19-21 June 2026
More info https://www.realaero.com/
Czech Republic
Sazená (LKSZ) European STOL Competition, 30 July – 1 August 2026
More info https://europeanstol.cz/
Denmark
Odense (EKOD) Flight Fantastic STOL Competition, 22-23 August 2026
More info https://www.facebook.com/events/1625492055556172/
