Pony Express STOL competition draws crowds to Rosecrans Memorial Airport

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Pony Express STOL, or Short Take Off and Landing, competition took place at Rosecrans Memorial Airport this weekend, marking the second time the event has made a stop in St. Joseph.

A large crowd gathered to watch small aircraft demonstrate their ability to take off and land in extremely short distances.

STOL aims to bring together seasoned and newcomer pilots to share their love of aviation, while hopefully inspiring a new generation of pilots through its family-friendly atmosphere.

While many attendees watched experienced pilots compete, one highlight of the day was an activity geared toward younger children, where participants folded paper airplanes and threw them in their own mock flying contest.

"I think it was cool to see the paper airplane contest for the kids," one spectator said. "Other than that, it's just a beautiful day to be around planes and smell the gas. It's all good."

STOL's next stop is in Wisconsin.

Those interested in witnessing the fun next year can keep a lookout on the National STOL website for future events and locations.