Flying into wild and remote places takes a special kind of airplane. These machines are built to rise off the ground in just a few hundred feet and return safely on short or rough strips of dirt, grass, or gravel. 

Many people call them STOL aircraft, and they are prized in the world of aviation because they open doors to places far away from big cities and paved runways. 

At STOL competitions in Alaska, some pilots have even managed combined takeoff and landing runs of only about 78 feet—shorter than a basketball court!

If you have ever dreamed of flying into a hidden valley, landing near a riverbank, or visiting mountain backcountry airstrips, you will quickly see why pilots love these planes.

The thrill is in the challenge, but the reward is the freedom to reach areas that normal airplanes cannot. 

Before we look at the 9 best STOL aircraft, let’s start with the basics.

What Does STOL Mean?

The word STOL stands for short takeoff and landing. It describes an airplane’s ability to get off the ground and back down again in a very small amount of space. In simple terms, STOL aircraft do not need a long runway. They can lift into the sky from a narrow grass strip and return to land in the same short distance.

Here are some points that explain STOL in clear terms:

• Takeoff distance: How far an aircraft needs to roll before lifting off. A strong STOL design can fly in about 100 to 400 feet.
   
• Landing distance: How far it needs to stop after touching down. Many STOL planes stop quickly with the right landing gear and wing design.
   
• STOL operations: These are flights in and out of places with very little runway space. They often take place in mountain valleys, gravel bars, or remote fields.

A good example is a CubCrafters Carbon Cub. It has strong STOL capabilities and can rise into the air in less space than a soccer field. Another common type is the Piper Super Cub, a tailwheel airplane that has helped many bush pilots reach far-off villages. 

The Maule series is another strong choice, offering extra seats for family or cargo while still keeping short-field ability. 

Even a Cessna 182, which many people know as a family four-seater, can become a powerful backcountry airplane with a proper STOL kit.

STOL isn’t simply a label. It is a set of design ideas and flying skills that let a plane and a pilot work safely in tight spaces. These are the basics, and next we can look at how the planes are built to do it.

How Do STOL Planes Work?

A STOL airplane is shaped and equipped to fly slowly, climb fast, and stop quickly. Engineers and pilots use a mix of design choices to make this happen.

Key features include:

• High-lift wings: Large wings with flaps and sometimes leading-edge slats. These slow the plane down while keeping it stable.
   
• Strong engines: Extra horsepower gives a quick push on takeoff.
   
• Big props: Large propellers create powerful thrust even at low speeds.
   
• Landing gear upgrades: Oversized tundra tires or skis help with rough fields or snowy sites.
   
• Tailwheel configuration: Many STOL planes use this setup. It keeps the nose high and allows better angles on uneven ground.

Examples in action:

• A CubCrafters Carbon Cub uses lightweight parts and a powerful engine to spring off the ground quickly.
   
• A Piper Super Cub, in tailwheel configuration, has helped tailwheel pilots land on riverbanks and gravel strips.
   
• A Maule or a modified Cessna 182 can bring along passengers while still handling backcountry strips.

These features let planes perform in places where normal runways do not exist. Pilots call this type of flying backcountry flying, and they train carefully for it. Skills include reading the ground, knowing the wind, and judging altitude.

There are also competitions, like STOL drag events, where pilots race to show off their control in short fields. These are fun to watch, but they also prove how effective these designs can be.

In short, STOL planes are built for action in small spaces. Next, let’s look at the people who use them and why.

Who Uses STOL Aircraft?

STOL planes serve many types of people. Some fly for work, while others do it for fun. What connects them is the need to operate safely in tight spaces.

Common users include:

• Backcountry pilots: These are adventure seekers who fly into remote strips for camping, hiking, and fishing. They enjoy reaching spots that can only be reached by air.
   
• Bush pilots: These pilots carry supplies, medicine, and passengers to small villages. Many work in places like Alaska or Canada, where normal runways are rare. They depend on bush planes such as the Piper Super Cub or Maule for rugged reliability.
   
• Flight trainers and hobbyists: Some people enjoy learning in smaller light sport aircrafts that also have STOL features. These planes are easier to buy and maintain.

Why they matter:

• Emergency flights: STOL planes can bring doctors or aid workers to areas after storms.
   
• Everyday service: A backcountry aircraft may deliver groceries or mail to remote families.
   
• Exploring: Some pilots love visiting hidden valleys or small airports with grass runways.

Not all STOL planes are small. Large designs also exist for carrying heavy cargo. While this article focuses on small backcountry airplanes, history shows how aircraft with extreme performance—like the best bomber aircrafts of the past—were also built with short-field strength in mind.

The variety of users shows how wide the demand is. From a tailwheel pilot flying into a farm strip, to a worker landing near a mountain village, STOL aircraft keep people connected.

9 Best STOL Aircraft

The following are some of the most standout STOL aircraft. Each one has a special design, a story, and a purpose. Together they show how different airplanes can handle takeoff and landing distances in short, rough, or remote places. 

These planes also give us a clear picture of what makes the best backcountry flying experience possible.

Comparison Table: 9 Best STOL Aircraft

Here are more details of each:

1. CubCrafters Carbon Cub

The Carbon Cub is often called a modern classic. Built with light materials and a big engine, this plane jumps into the sky quickly and can land in very tight spaces. Pilots who enjoy backcountry camping often choose it because it can reach strips that feel more like open fields than runways.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • Very short ground roll on takeoff.
     
  • Strong rate of climb after liftoff.
     
  • Able to operate from rough or rutted surfaces with oversized tires.
     
• Why it’s loved: Light, simple, and fun to fly, yet still powerful enough to carry gear for an outdoor trip.

It also has excellent effectiveness at low speed, meaning it stays controllable even when flying slowly. This is a big reason why so many pilots point to the Carbon Cub when talking about airplane selection for true STOL flying.

2. Piper Super Cub

The Piper Super Cub is one of the most famous bush planes ever built. For decades, pilots have trusted it to carry them into places no car could ever reach. It uses a tailwheel configuration and tough gear that works well on gravel bars, grass strips, or snow with skis.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • Low stall speed that helps it land short.
     
  • Smooth handling even during tricky crosswind conditions.
     
  • Easy to modify with floats or tundra tires.
     
• Why it’s loved: Proven track record. It is a workhorse that still brings smiles to new pilots learning about STOL.

Many bush pilots still call it their top choice, even with newer models on the market.

3. Aviat Husky A-1C

The Husky is sometimes compared to the Super Cub but built with more modern touches. It offers great balance between comfort and raw STOL performance.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • Solid useful load for passengers or gear.
     
  • Can handle high elevation strips with confidence thanks to good climb performance.
     
  • Handles well with large tundra tires for backcountry strips.
     
• Why it’s loved: A reliable taildragger that feels strong and steady, even in demanding STOL operations.

The Husky is also popular with flight schools that train pilots for backcountry flying.

4. Maule M-7 Series

The Maule M-7 is known as a family hauler with STOL ability. Unlike smaller two-seat planes, the Maule can carry more people or gear, making it one of the most practical four-place airplanes for this type of flying.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • Able to carry camping gear, fishing tools, or family supplies.
     
  • Short-field ability combined with decent cruise speeds.
     
  • Can be equipped with floats, skis, or large tires.
     
• Why it’s loved: It blends utility and adventure. Pilots who want to mix backcountry camping with everyday flying find this model very attractive.

The Maule series has been around for decades, proving it can stay strong in both private and work settings.

5. Cessna 182 (with Peterson’s Performance Mods)

The Cessna 182 by Peterson’s Performance is a well-known upgrade for the trusted Skylane. Peterson’s modifications improve handling, especially at low speeds, and help reduce stall speeds for safer landings.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • Better climb and short-field ability compared to a stock 182.
     
  • Strong reputation for safe handling.
     
  • Still practical as a family aircraft.
     
• Why it’s loved: Pilots get both comfort and true STOL capability.

There’s also the 182 by Peterson’s Performance Plus, which builds on the same idea with even more refined control. Together, these versions give owners a dependable way to turn a common airplane into something ready for backcountry strips.

6. Cessna 185 Skywagon

The Cessna 185 is another standout. With its 300-hp engine and heavy-duty design, it is one of the best utility planes for tough conditions.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • High useful load, making it great for cargo or family trips.
     
  • Handles well at high elevation airports.
     
  • Rugged structure built for floats, skis, or big tires.
     
• Why it’s loved: The 185 is like a bigger, stronger sibling to the 182. Many pilots trust it for serious missions and demanding flying days.

A Cessna 185 can take hunters into the wilderness, bring supplies to villages, and still feel steady enough to inspire confidence in new pilots.

7. American Champion Scout

The American Champion Scout is a high-wing tailwheel airplane that deserves mention in any STOL list. It may not be as famous as a Cub, but it offers strong field performance and a proven airframe.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • Good effectiveness at low speed with stable control.
     
  • Can handle soft fields and remote strips.
     
  • Reasonable operating costs.
     
• Why it’s loved: It is simple, reliable, and great for personal adventures.

Many Scouts are used by private owners who enjoy the freedom of small backcountry strips on weekends.

8. Just Aircraft SuperSTOL

The SuperSTOL stands out for its extreme slow-flight ability. With its automatic leading-edge slats and big flaps, it can fly safely at very low speeds.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • Demonstrated 31-knot stall speed in some builds.
     
  • Very short takeoff and landing distances when flown correctly.
     
  • Popular in STOL competitions and shows.
     
• Why it’s loved: It allows pilots to operate in strips that might seem too small for most other airplanes.

This aircraft is often seen at STOL drag events, where its ability to start and stop quickly makes it a fan favorite.

9. Quest Kodiak 100

The Kodiak 100, now built by Daher, is a turboprop built for rugged missions. Unlike smaller planes, the Kodiak carries heavy loads into truly tough environments.

• Performance highlights:
  
  
  • Able to serve remote areas with a full load of supplies.
     
  • Powerful PT6A engine that performs well at high elevation.
     
  • Handles rough or rutted surfaces with strong gear and structure.
     
• Why it’s loved: It works for mission groups, air services, and outdoor tour companies.

The Kodiak has even been used for trips in areas near Denali, where mountains and altitude make flying a real challenge. It shows how bigger utility planes can still bring serious STOL capabilities to the table.

These nine airplanes prove that short-field flying can be both exciting and useful. From the tiny Carbon Cub to the tough Kodiak, each design shows a different side of what STOL can mean. Some are built for weekend adventures, while others keep villages supplied year-round. What they all share is the ability to lift off and land in places that normal planes avoid.

Together, they give us a clear picture of how airplane selection matters in the backcountry. When a pilot chooses a plane, they think about space, weight, speed, and mission. Each of these aircraft brings a special set of tools to help make flying safe and fun, even far from paved runways.

Conclusion

The world of STOL aircraft is exciting because it combines skill, adventure, and practical service. These planes can handle backcountry airstrips that would stop most other airplanes. They help explorers, workers, and families reach places that would otherwise stay hidden.

If you ever picture yourself as a backcountry pilot or even as a hobbyist looking for something new, learning about STOL planes is a smart start. They prove that runways do not have to be long for flight to be possible.

Ready to learn more about flying and explore great aircraft choices? Keep following us at Flying411 for guides, tips, and stories from the air.

FAQs

What makes a plane a STOL aircraft?

A STOL plane can take off and land in very short distances, often using special wings, flaps, and strong engines.

Can a Cessna 182 be used for backcountry flying?

Yes. A Cessna 182 with a proper STOL kit and strong landing gear can be a reliable backcountry airplane.

Are STOL aircraft safe?

Yes, when flown with proper training and within limits. Many bush pilots rely on them daily in tough conditions.

Do all STOL aircraft use tailwheel configuration?

No. Many do, but tricycle gear airplanes can also be fitted for short-field use.

What is STOL drag?

STOL drag is a contest where pilots race by taking off and landing in the shortest space possible, showing precise control.