What is STOL UK?

An exciting new event at Popham Airfield is happening over the weekend of 25th-27th September 2026.

This will be STOL UK's inaugural event and the opening round of the STOL UK Championship - a milestone for the sport in the UK. You may be wondering: What is STOL UK?

STOL UK is a not-for-profit airsports organisation born from the efforts of its six founder members since 2024, that now form the STOL UK management board. 

The organisation’s purpose is to provide guidance and a set of competition rules that are intended to assist host airfields who wish to organise competitive STOL flying events. The board contains a wide range of expertise: extensive aviation experience, safety and risk assessment, event management and many decades of wider business skills and procedures. 

Comprehensive documentation has been created after much consultation with peer organisations, the CAA and National STOL in the USA. Several members of the STOL UK board have visited National STOL events in the USA and they have our gratitude for their invaluable advice and guidance on best practice. This growing body of knowledge and the extensive documentation we continue to develop is intended to be shared with the aviation community to provide a consistently high standard of operational procedures for airfields wishing to organise competitive STOL events. The future good health of our rapidly growing sport of STOL flying and competition depends upon the highest standards in safety and event management.

Events like this can only happen with the support of the STOL community, and we'd love to invite you to compete against fellow pilots in your aircraft class at Popham Airfield in September 2026.

If you do not wish to compete, you can fly into Popham as normal, with PPR arranged directly through Popham Airfield's website / app as per normal airfield procedures. Come and support your fellow aviators.

If you're interested in competing, simply complete the registration form using the button below to secure your place in the STOL UK Championship

Once registered, I will reach out to you and you'll receive the competition rules and all the information you need to take part. 

This is a significant milestone for the UK STOL community as we launch the inaugural STOL UK Championship, with even more events on the horizon in 2027.

We're delighted that so many pilots have already registered their interest in competing at Popham, and we'd love for you to be part of it too.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch - I'd be happy to help.

We look forward to seeing you at Popham in September!

William Newton

STOL UK