Arkansas- Rocktober STOL



This is the event I wanted to do from the start.

When? Oct 24-27 I'm aware the dates conflict with other fly-ins.

Where? Byrd's Adventure Center- 800 acres of fun in the Ozark Mountains.

Who is invited?

First, every person that has competed in any previous Texas STOL Roundup, but with at least 8.50's or bigger.

Second, persons who I know their flying skill.

Third, any others who might want to join need to contact me so we can go over what to expect flying into the Ozark strips.

What?

600+ Rockcrawlers, 60 STOL pilots/planes.

Obstacle STOL competition and skill events on a circuit of seven strips ranging from 400 feet to 2500 feet long.

A competition made up of a Pilot/Rockcrawler driver team. Half together in the plane, and half together in the rockcrawler on a course that has to be experienced.

Flyouts to some of the most beautiful and challenging private grass strips in the Ozark Mountains.

And much more.

All amidst the Fall colors of the Arkansas Ozarks.

Pre-registration will be required. And there will be no refunds. Decide not to come for any reason and forfeit the registration fee (amount TBD).

Camp under your wing (in an area separate from the Rockcrawlers so quieter). Bring your own food. There is a restaurant on site but bear in mind it will be shared by 600+ Rockcrawlers.

Everyone who comes is expected to chip in with whatever needs to be done. Everyone works and everyone plays and everyone has a blast.

Here is a video from a scouting trips I did about five years ago. A few of the fly-out strips we will visit.
https://vimeo.com/313082249

Here is the venue.
https://byrdsadventurecenter.com

Video's of the Rockcrawler group that we will be with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crz-apY1W4c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpaVVC213cM

And here are some photos from the scouting trips.












More information to follow.

Holy smokes. This looks awesome.

That looks like WAY TOO MUCH FUN.

ONLY OLD, BOLD, TAILDRAGGER PILOTS need apply.

This looks like an incredible amount if fun Phil.

Looks like fun but none of those pics show a need for 8.50s.

I have 35's on my jeep, maybe I'll bring it instead.

Looks like a ton of fun!!

This sat image (1994 so very outdated) shows some of Byrd's Adventure Center. There are a total of seven strips now not the four in this image. The 2,500 strip is the one we will arrive and depart from (and probably have the Obstacle STOL event on), and the area surrounding it on the west side is where we will camp. Rockcrawlers will be camped west of the highway and down to the river.

All the other strips (except the 1000 ft strip) are one-ways so if your rusty with your spot landings get out and practice. BTW, a lot of the other strips we will visit on the fly-outs are one-ways as well. Oh and most of the strips at Byrd's and the ones we will fly-out to are sloped, either bottom to top, or side to side, and at least one both.

Log skidder will be on standby and protocol for discretion will be covered in the morning pilot briefing.

Zzz wrote:Log skidder will be on standby and protocol for discretion will be covered in the morning pilot briefing.

Ha ha ha! Have you been reading my mail?

We (okay not me, I'm in Alaska- but rather Zen who owns Byrd's Adventure Center)) are scouting some gravel bars that hopefully we will be able to include in our fly-outs (if still out of the water)- such as this one.

Some date updates.

Rocktober STOL is on Oct 24,25,26,27 of this year, in conjunction with the rock crawler event Rocktoberfest. No change.

The weekend prior, Oct 18,19,20 is the Overland Rendezvous Camp-out and Gear Expo, a 4x4 event more geared to jeeping.

Byrd's Adventure Center has moved their fly-in to earlier in the month and given us this weekend and the days in between leading up to Rocktober STOL.

If anyone wants to extend their stay at Byrd's Adventure Center they can, we have sole use of the runways from Oct 18 thru Oct 27.

I'm intending this to be a very low-pressure fun event so arrive when you want and leave when you want.

I'll get a registration page set up in the next few weeks so you can lock in your place before we are filled.

Just got off the phone with a guy who will not only join us in competition, but has four interesting sounding strips on his property near Beaver lake that we will add to the fly-outs.

And give me another couple weeks and I'll have the online registration page set up.

And here they are, although now grass has grown in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=440stuOnKUY

Registration is now open.

Please remember who is invited:
1. every person that has competed in any previous Texas STOL Roundup, but with at least 8.50's or bigger on the main gear.
2. persons who I know their flying skill.
3. any others who might want to participate need to contact me so we can go over what to expect flying into the Ozark strips..

Cost is $100 per plane payable during the online registration process, plus $10 per day per person (kids under 12 free) which is payable directly to Byrd's Adventure Center when you arrive.

You are welcome to come as early as you want and stay as long as you want. You are also welcome to participate only in the events you wish to, you are not required to participate in any event if you don't wish to. This is all about having fun, no pressure.

Registration is a two step process and starts here:
https://texasstolroundup.typeform.com/to/ZWktOo

On this first page is where you'll register for the event. In the first paragraph you see another link that will take you to where you pay the $100 (plus a small processing fee). Be sure you do both (I know it's really annoying but heh that's how it works).

Remember this is a limited attendance event so sign up now before it's full.

I'm looking forward to seeing and flying with everyone.

This looks like a blast Phil!!!

If I make it, it will probably be in my Jeep. Any info on the Jeep part of the comp?

I didn't see any info about prizes or a raffle, (to be honest, I didn't look that hard) but if it helps, Aeropod will chip in another $500 cert.

Thanks Tony! That's generous of you.

You can certainly play with the Rockcrawlers, just need to register with them when you get on site.

I'll email you the address to send the certificate.

Hope to see you and the family there.

Excited to have Fast Signs out of Killeen Texas and American Legend Aircraft out of Sulphur Springs Texas as sponsors of Rocktober STOL. Be sure and thank them when you see them, without them this event wouldn't happen. And check out their websites.

http://www.fastsigns.com/2146

https://legend.aero

There has been some confusion on a couple of things so here is some clarification.

This event is about having fun. You don't have to participate in any event that you don't want to. Don't want to do anything with the Rockcrawlers, that's fine don't. Don't want to try your hand at the Obstacle STOL event, fine, don't. This is all about each of us having a good time, and as a group having a good time. Just want to come watch everything, that's fine too, but still register cause you will be consuming services (like Porta Potties for instance) that have to be paid for.

It's going to be a hoot. See you there.

Pleased to say that Ladd Gardner Aviation Insurance is once again sponsoring our event, this year's Rocktober STOL.

Please be sure and let them know you appreciate their support.

https://lgainsurance.com