19 June 2026
The inaugural Real STOL Fest has been thrown into turmoil after organisers announced the event’s cancellation just days before it was due to begin. However, The Real Aeroplane Club which runs Breighton Airfield hours later announced it would step in and revive the weekend.
In a statement issued late on 17 June, the original Real STOL Fest team said they had made the “tough and upsetting decision” to cancel the event, citing a combination of factors including weather concerns, logistical issues and last-minute organisational challenges.
STOL stands for Short Take-Off and Landing.
“We have spent months in the planning stage, organised and trained many volunteers, purchased a significant amount of equipment, produced rules, training documents, pilots briefings etc,” the statement read.
“It has certainly not been a case of drawing a line on a runway and hoping for the best.”
The cancellation prompted frustration from competitors and visitors, many of whom had already travelled significant distances or incurred costs for accommodation, insurance and time off work.
The Real Aeroplane Club – separate from Real STOL Fest – will go ahead with the weekend event
The Real Aeroplane Club released its own statement clarifying that the weekend itself would still go ahead, albeit in a revised format.
According to the club, the original event had been organised jointly by the Real STOL Fest team and UK STOL, with Breighton Airfield acting as host venue. Following what the club described as “unforeseen organisational challenges and differing views” within the original team, The Real Aeroplane Club has now assumed responsibility for delivering the weekend’s activities.
The revised event will still include the fly-in, STOL competition, camping, food, refreshments and evening entertainment, with organisers keen to reassure attendees that all activities will operate within CAA requirements.
“Safety and regulatory compliance remain our highest priorities,” the club said, adding that the team overseeing the event has “many years’ experience organising and running aviation events and airshows.”
The abrupt change has sparked debate across the UK STOL community, with some competitors questioning the reasons behind the original cancellation and calling for greater transparency.
Despite the controversy, Breighton Airfield remains open, and organisers hope the weekend will still showcase the growing popularity of STOL flying in the UK.
“The UK STOL community continues to grow, bringing together pilots, aviation enthusiasts and supporters from across the country,” said the Real Aeroplane Club. “We are proud to support this exciting area of general aviation and are committed to helping it thrive.
“We would like to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and continued support. We look forward to welcoming you to Breighton Airfield this weekend and sharing what promises to be a fantastic event.”
