Valdez Fly-In

My first trip of the season was to Valdez last weekend for the Valdez Fly in and Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) Competition. I left work early on Friday, was on the road by 2:00 and made it to Valdez around 8:00. Ryan and some other friends had already flown down and gotten a sweet parking spot right on the approach for the STOL competition the next day. It didn't take long for me to find them and get my tent set up.

The ride down was amazing. Definetly in my Top 10 Rides. The sky was blue, I only got rained on a couple short times, and Thompson Pass was clear! Last time I was in Thompson Pass the fog was so thick you could barley see 50 feet in front of you. It just felt good to be back on the bike again after a couple light riding years and a long winter.

Just to compare this weekend with the last time I was down there study the pictures below. As you can see, or can't see, it was much foggier the last time around.

2007

2011

If I remember correctly the shortest takeoff was 36 feet and the shortest landing was an amazing 30 feet ( just about the length of the plane).

I had a great time down in Valdez and am definetly planning to return next year for this event. If you would like to look at the rest of my pictures please follow the link below.

2011 Valdez Fly-In Pictures

Have a good one,
Brian