Gallery: Bush-Plane Competition Spurs Innovation
01stol-competition-planes
The Short Take-Off and Landing competition in Valdez, Alaska has, like many competitive events, spawned a wide range of technological advancements. Granted, competitive bush plane flying takes a back seat to lawn mower racing when it comes to esoteric motorsports. But within the world of bush pilots and those from the "lower 48" who enjoy flying slow, the challenge of Valdez means new innovations show up every year. Not all of the ideas that are tried in Valdez end up helping pilots to the podium, but walking down the flight line, there are many interesting ideas being tested.
02got-rocks
*Got Rocks* was originally built by STOL pilot Greg Miller. The light weight Super Cub-derived airplane sheds an extra few pounds by eliminating the fabric and body work that covers much of the rear fuselage.
03new-flaps
An airplane's [flaps](”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flap_%28aircraft%29”) allow it to slow down and can also help increase lift at slow speeds. The original Piper Super Cub came with flaps that mostly just help it slow down. But one of the newest ideas seen in Valdez is a set of flaps being tested that would increase lift as well as reduce angle of attack, making visibility much better for pilots just before landing.
04air-show-crowd
Unlike many airshows where sunburn and heat exhaustion [are a problem](”http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2009/07/airventure-control-tower/”), the dedicated fans in Valdez bundle up every May to watch the best bush pilots fly as slow as possible. Here the crowd watches as eventual winner Ed Doyle prepares for a take-off in the highly modified Super Cub known as *Cuzoom.*
Photo: Mat Honan/Wired05super-cub-cockpit
The sparse Super Cub cockpit of the stock bush class winner, Paul Claus. The veteran bush pilot also won the heavy touring category in his Cessna 185. Claus' Super Cub lacks an electrical system and the propeller must be pulled by hand in order to start the motor. But for both competition and for work, the weight saved means better performance in Valdez, and more cargo hauling capability in the mountains. The extra seat-cushion helps forward visibility during the extremely nose-high approaches to landing.
06cessna-150s
Not all of the competitors are flying exotic experimental Super Cubs. In the light touring category there were a pair of Cessna 150s, the simple, forgiving airplane that has taught generations to fly. Of course in Alaska, the 150s are often converted to taildraggers and sport the ubiquitous Alaskan Bushwheels.
07kirk-ellis
Bush pilot and guide Kirk Ellis has been competing in the STOL competitions since the early years. Recently he has competed with his experimental, bright green four-place Super Cub known as *The Hulk*. This year he flew in with a much more subdued in color, though equally curious, Super Cub biplane. Here he is adjusting the ailerons so they droop during flight, adding a bit of extra lift at slow speeds.
08cuzoom-flaps
This year's winning airplane, *Cuzoom*, featured a host of modifications including extra-tall landing gear and [nitrous oxide](”http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2011/05/video-bush-pilot-competition-how-slow-can-you-go/) for extra horsepower. Here the extra large flaps can be seen in their full 80-degree down position. This is double the range of most small aircraft flaps and helps the airplane fly extremely slow during landing.
Photo: Alexandria Washburn/Wired09cuzoom-wing
In addition to huge flaps on the trailing edge of the wing, *Cuzoom* features slats on the leading edge of the wing. The small airfoils in front of the wings help direct airflow over the top of the wing during extremely slow flight. This extra airflow at high angles of attack helps prevent the wing from [stalling](”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stall_%28flight%29”), and allows the pilot to touch down at very slow speeds, around 20 miles per hour.
Photo: Alexandria Washburn/Wired10luggage-bin
Of course there has to be a civilized side to bush planes as well. Yes, your carry-on will fit in the overhe ... err, chest-high luggage bin.
