The dates are set - 2015 April 10, 11, 12. The new artwork is done. The website is up - sort of - still all the sub pages to build.
http://www.texasstolroundup.org/

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Love it!!

Phil--

Calendar marked. I've been practicing techniques... and watch the Valdez films.... hope to do better than last time! Thanks for organizing this.

gunny

Phil, who does your artwork? Both of the posters have been very well done!

CapnMike wrote:Phil, who does your artwork? Both of the posters have been very well done!

Mike,

I created a contest at http://www.99designs.com. Graphic artists then submitted their entries.

The big trick in getting great artwork is in how you describe your contest. In this case I posted links to Valdez videos, posted a photo of my SQ-2, and posted a link to a Google image search for WWII posters and told them what I was looking for. Got three that I really liked but this artist hit it out of the park.

Does the gal look like she has a 5 o'clock shadow to anyone else?

The 2nd Annual Texas STOL Roundup T-shirts are now available. Three colors; Ash (Gray), Sand, White.

http://www.texasstolroundup.org/t-shirts.html

Thanks for posting.....hope to make it this year

Bump. I know you guys are probably going stir crazy like I. We are having Alaska like weather here which is interrupting flying. So I thought I'd give this a bump so we can all start thinking about fun stuff.

If you are coming, or think you are coming, please go here and add your name to those attending.
https://www.backcountrypilot.org/community/events/viewevent/112-2015-texas-stol-roundup-2nd-annual

Latest news is, in addition to lunch on Saturday, we are also arranging to have dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday available. We are also planning flyouts on Sunday. We will have something for everyone; flyouts to lunch, flyouts to local grass strips, and flyouts to off-airport areas.

I've decided to expand the Experimental classes, so now there will be:

Heavy Touring Experimental
Light Touring Experimental
Bush Experimental
LSA Experimental

and of course

Heavy Touring Certificated
Light Touring Certificated
Bush Certificated
LSA Certificated

I haven't got the class breakdown set in stone yet but you can see where I'm at currently by visiting:
http://TexasSTOLRoundup.org

I'm planning on being there Phil. Calendar marked.

The wife and I will be there! Looking forward to meeting BCP'rs

More news. We are introducing a new event this year to showcase the skill of the backcountry pilot.

The STOL Obstacle Landing competition. The pilot will need to "clear" an obstacle as part of the landing just like we do in the real world clearing trees, brush, rocks, etc. Landing distance will be measured from the obstacle to the point where the mains come to a stop. The takeoff distance (not an obstacle takeoff) will be added to the obstacle landing distance for the total score of the attempt.

The obstacle WILL NOT be in the flight path of the aircraft, but will be placed in such a manner that the pilot can judge when he/she has safely cleared and passed the obstacle. Any of the aircraft's tires not "clearing and passing" the obstacle will disqualify that takeoff/landing attempt.

Traditional STOL competitions have showcased skills that might be used on unobstructed gravel bars, beaches, and ridge tops. Landing over obstacles is an equally important skill, especially when operating in the mountains.

Our STOL Obstacle Landing competition will add a whole new level of fun and excitement to STOL competition.

You don't want to miss this years' event!

Cool!

How/who is going to judge that the pilot actually cleared the obstacle?

I'm a firm maybe....

soyAnarchisto wrote:...How/who is going to judge that the pilot actually cleared the obstacle?...

This won't be a 50' obstacle, will be lower then that, a height (still working on the exact number) that reflects the typical stuff we need to clear in the backcountry. Judges will be located on both sides of the obstacle markers.

Hope you can make it down.

How about a piece of surveyors ribbon stretched between two poles. It's gonna be hard to for the pilots, if you looking out sideways to guess if your actually clearing it.

Foxflyer wrote:How about a piece of surveyors ribbon stretched between two poles. It's gonna be hard to for the pilots, if you looking out sideways to guess if your actually clearing it.

Thanks for your thoughts. I considered the ribbon idea, but don't want anything that could catch on an aircraft and potentially foul some control - as unlikely as that may be.

I actually think this will be a great exercise for pilots. For example, I land the SQ2 in places where I have to be sure the wing tips clear an obstacle, nothing obstructing the gear.

Another spot on a river and it's a wire I have to clear. There are orange balls on the wire about wing tip distance out on each side. In this case I'm not worried about the wingtips but rather the gear. It's far easier to see the orange balls to the side then the wire right in front of me.

Our obstacles will be much easier to see then a wire, or orange balls. Just as in clearing a real obstacle, the important thing will be ensuring it's cleared.

I was talking with Ed Doyle last year about his first STOL competition. He told me he watched pilot after pilot land short. When it came his turn he said to himself "Ed, whatever you do, don't land short". He didn't and he won the competition.

How about setting up a lazer thingy between two poles that would beep if the line were to be interrupted?
That way nothing for a plane to snag.

Rezrider wrote:How about setting up a lazer thingy between two poles that would beep if the line were to be interrupted?
That way nothing for a plane to snag.

This is a great idea. the same kind of thing you can put on your driveway that beeps when someone drives through.

A1Skinner wrote:

Rezrider wrote:How about setting up a lazer thingy between two poles that would beep if the line were to be interrupted?
That way nothing for a plane to snag.

This is a great idea. the same kind of thing you can put on your driveway that beeps when someone drives through.

Even better - if you break the laser line, a large garage door rolls up blocking the touchdown zone!!

I think these competitions are about to get a lot more interesting...

Rezrider wrote:How about setting up a lazer thingy between two poles that would beep if the line were to be interrupted?
That way nothing for a plane to snag.

This is an excellent idea, and not too hard to set up.