French STOL Championship at Belmont-sur-Rance
News item of 29 June 2023. Last updated on 11 July 2023: some information may have changed. Latest news
The final of the French STOL Championship is fast approaching! On 1st and 2nd July 2023, Belmont Saint-Affrique aerodrome (Belmont sur Rance, Occitanie) will host the best pilots in the discipline for what promises to be an exciting and spectacular competition.
S.T.O.L., short for Short Takeoff & Landing, is an aviation discipline made up of take-off and landing tests over the shortest combined distance, putting to the test the pilots' skills and the power and handling of their aircraft. The French STOL Open final will bring together the best French pilots in the discipline, for a one-of-a-kind spectacle.
30 pilots from all over France and 4 international guests will gather for 3 days of competition and mechanical stretching of limits.
Éric Grare, the reigning French champion with a spectacular record of 13,6 metres in 2022 (his take-off and landing distances combined) and a gifted pilot, will put his title on the line and provide the show. The machines are more and more specially prepared for the discipline. During the event, the public will meet and chat with these very approachable enthusiasts, who will answer their questions.
The days will be hosted by a speaker (Hervé Canivet), a specialist in microlight flying, STOL and the aviation world, who will give away many prizes donated by the partners. Of course, first flights, air displays and various activities will fill the days between the rounds of the competition. A perfect opportunity to show younger people that anything is possible, even the sky.
The competition is organised with the support of the French Microlight Federation.
Please note that STOL flying requires specific training and experience, as well as compliance with in-flight safety rules, as it can involve risks.
HISTORY OF STOL
Where does STOL come from?
STOL is new in France but widely practised in the USA, where it originated. The discipline was born and developed in Alaska, where pilots needed short take-off and landing capability, big wheels and particular sharpness to operate from difficult strips and in the region's extreme weather. Since then it has become popular in other parts of the world, notably in the United States, where a STOL competition circuit exists and attracts many pilots and spectators.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to discover STOL (Short Takeoff & Landing) and to support the best French pilots in the discipline! See you from 30 June to 2 July at Belmont Saint-Affrique aerodrome, Occitanie for an unforgettable experience.
© Photos: Georges BLANES
Jean-Claude Eynié won the competition, with the best performance achieved at Belmont of 13 metres.
Éric Grare keeps his French three-axis champion title thanks to his many performances in the various competitions held in 2023.
In the gyroplane category the stage winner is Thierry Drieu, who wins the trophy contested every year with a performance of 5 metres, including take-off and landing distance.
