WAYNE – A native from Idaho is making a return trip to Wayne for MayDay STOL Drag competition and his fellow competitors will be looking to put on a show this weekend.
For the second straight year, MayDay STOL will offer both short take-off and landing as well as airplane drag races between Friday, May 20 – Sunday, May 22.
New this year, all parking will be at the Wayne Municipal Airport.
Steve Henry is from Idaho and lives near Nampa. Henry started flying about 19 years ago.
“I’m just the kind of person that when I get into something I really get into it pretty hard, I don’t like to halfway do things,” said Henry. “That’s kind of how I was with flying, too and I always raced something.”
A few years ago, Henry heard more about STOL Drag and attended the High Sierra Fly-In in Nevada. He’s been in on it from the very beginning.
“I just love it,” Henry added. “It’s about as fun as you can have in an airplane. It just combines the flying and it’s very, very intense because it’s just so 100% effort in the whole thing.”
Find complete ticket and schedule details at maydaystol.com as flying times are tentative and could move around pending weather including high-winds.
Henry received first overall last year in Wayne while winning his ‘Gold’ class and mentioned it was a great event.
“I grew up on a farm and I’m kind of a rural person myself, I’m not a big city guy,” Henry mentioned. “So, I just felt like I fit right in with you guys (northeast Nebraska). I made good friends I’m anxious to see again.”
Many of the pilots have social media accounts and you can see what STOL Drag racing is all about by checking out the YouTube Channel of ‘Steve Henry’ who flies the Yellow Highlander 44.
Volunteers are still needed and those interested can reach out to Travis Meyer at 402-369- 6725.
Evening festivities include a bonfire (weather permitting) with Tegan Nissen starting at 7 p.m. on Friday while Saturday’s music will be provided by AquaDog (formed by Adam Manoucheri) around 8 p.m. including the awards ceremony.
Pilots will be getting certified on Thursday to run the course for the weekend. Time trials will take place during the day on Friday with Saturday being planned to be a race day while a poker run for planes is scheduled for Sunday along with a traditional STOL demonstration.
Sunday is being called a ‘Family Day’ which will offer a Careers in Aviation Question and Answer Panel starting noon. All are welcome to the panel.
Updated schedule changes due to weather will be posted on the MayDay STOL Drag Races Facebook page as well as aired on Big Red Country ‘KTCH’ 104.9; The City ‘KCTY’ 98.9/1590 and waynedailynews.com.
Complete ‘View from Wayne America’ interview:
