2014 Valdez, AK STOL competition...

[AKridgepointe]

Will any bearhawks be making it this year? I don't even necessarily mean competing, just wondering If there will be any there. I've been looking at my wing ribs long enough, I want to see a whole plane

[Phil]

Agreed. I'm still debating whether or not to go this year. But if there's going to be a Bearhawk or Patrol, I'll definitely try to be there.

[AKpatrol]

I'm still on the fence about going. I will, however, be at the tradeshow in Anchorage with my patrol.

[AKridgepointe]

Well I hope some patrolers make it! I missed it last year. Coffee is on me! ( I would fly to Valdez from Galena for a free cup of coffee

[Jflyer]

For a Vente Starbucks I might travel from Naples. :-)

[AKridgepointe]

Well, there is no Starbucks in Valdez. The gas station coffee is as good as their hot dogs though!

[Phil]

Andrew, we're trying to encourage them to come! Not scare them away. LOL

[Jflyer]

Nothing says 'home' like gas station hotdogs.

[Jflyer]

All kidding aside, Visiting Alaska is on my and wife's bucket list and we plan to fly the Bearhawk there once completed.

[AKridgepointe]

Awesome. Well the Valdez may day fly in is beautiful! I was born and raised in Alaska and Valdez is one of my favorite spots. Ill try to take some pictures and then figure out how to post them. The Experimental STOL competition is pretty wild. Cubs with nitrous, slats, 35 " tires...and lots of other creative stuff. Fixed winged helicopters.

[Phil]

Here's a couple shots of AKPatrol's plane from the Trade Show yesterday. Great looking plane, I love the extra lexan!