Shortest takeoff?

[pmccarthy]

i was watching the STOL demos at Oshkosh on TV. I remember the record is 28 feet, I think in still air.

 

Is there a theoretical limit? Could a plane take off without a ground roll, maybe with multiple propellers along the wing?

 

 

[Jaba-who]

The one at Oshkosh is usually a few of the guys who did the most recent Valdez comp in Alaska. They usually do a display rather than a full competition. I can’t remember if they used the same rules at Oshkosh though.

 

In Valdez they combine the take off roll AND the landing roll. So the 28 ft you quote if it was at Valdez at least was something like about 20 ft take off roll and 8 ft landing roll.

 

Making it even more impressive.

 

 

[spacesailor]

Yes.

 

I saw a video of a plane lifting off & going backwards at first. In a strong wind of course.

 

Spacesailer

 

 

[Downunder]

[eightyknots]

This is an aircraft known as a Land Africa, allegedly a stolen design from an early ICP Savannah. Near the end the plane lands on the intersection and turns right angle to starboard within the intersection.

 

 

 

Watch "Land Africa aircraft, short take-off and landing(Aterragem curta)" on YouTube