We Welcome Red Bull Air Race Pilot Luke Czepiela
The Valdez STOL Competition & Fly-in Air Show proudly announces the participation of Red Bull Air Race pilot, Luke Czepiela, in the commemoration of 20 years of aviation excellence at Valdez Pioneer Field Airport. The event, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Valdez, Alaska, is scheduled to take place during the second weekend of May.
Luke Czepiela, renowned for his exceptional aerial maneuvers and recent ground-breaking landing on a helipad in Dubai, is set to dazzle audiences with his thrilling aerobatic performance. Piloting his specially modified Red Bull themed CubCrafters Carbon Cub, EX STOL airplane, Czepiela will also demonstrate his skills while participating in the famed Valdez STOL Competition, an event revered by bush pilots worldwide.
"We are thrilled to welcome Luke Czepiela to the Valdez STOL Competition & Fly-in Air Show as we celebrate two decades of STOL excellence," remarked Joe Prax, President of Valdez Fly-in. "His participation adds a new dimension of excitement to an already iconic event, and we invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable weekend filled with camaraderie and aviation thrills."
Furthermore, CubCrafters, a leader in innovative aircraft design and manufacturing, is honored to be the title sponsor for the Valdez STOL Competition & Fly-in Air Show. Their Carbon Cub family of aircraft, including the specially modified model piloted by Luke Czepiela, exemplifies their commitment to innovation and performance in personal adventure aviation.
"We welcome CubCrafters as the title sponsor for this year's event. CubCrafters has been a sponsor and supporter since the inception of the Valdez Fly In," said Joe Prax. "CubCrafter aircraft have been a feature of the Fly In for years. In 2007, the very first Carbon Cub was revealed at Valdez and posted an astounding record 19' take off in the STOL competition. As Valdez STOL has increased in worldwide popularity, CubCrafters continues to offer numerous models that capitalize on the popularity of backcountry aviation. We look forward to featuring this year's demonstration of the Red Bull Carbon Cub with Lukaz Czepiela at our 20th annual event."
The Valdez Fly-In and Airshow is hailed as the Grandfather of STOL competitions and retains its standing as the premier STOL competition in the Western United States. This year's festivities will showcase a myriad of other exciting events which include beach landings, balloon pop, flour bombing, aerobatics shows, pilot round tables, and of course, the world-famous STOL competition. From aviation enthusiasts to families seeking adventure, the Valdez Fly-In offers an array of activities for everyone to enjoy.
For more information on the Valdez STOL event, including ticketing and schedule details, please visit the Valdez Website: Homepage. Additionally, witness Luke Czepiela's extraordinary helipad landing by viewing the video on the Red Bull Website: Bullseye Landing.
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The Valdez STOL Competition & Fly-in Air Show is a premier aviation event held annually at Valdez Pioneer Field Airport in Valdez, Alaska. Established in 2003 and known as the grandfather of STOL events, the Valdez Fly-In features world-class competitions, aerobatic displays, and a variety of activities for aviation enthusiasts and families alike. For more information, visit Valdez Website.
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Poland’s Łukasz Czepiela combines being a commercial pilot with competing in aerobatics competitions and air races. A trip to an air show with his father, at the age of six, led to a lifelong passion for airplanes and a pilot license. Łukasz began participating in acrobatic training camps in 2010 and eventually joined the Polish aerobatics team, Żelazny, competing for a world championship in 2013. Starting in 2014, he began air racing, earning four podiums in 2016, including a first race win. Five more podiums followed in 2017, and winning the Red Bull Challenger Cup in 2018. In addition to air racing and aerobatics, Łukasz personally owns a Red Bull themed CubCrafters Carbon Cub EX STOL aircraft for backcountry flying. Learn more: Red Bull Athlete Profile.
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Founded in 1980 by Jim Richmond, CubCrafters’ roots are in the 80+ year history of classic grassroots aviation, but the company’s products and services are innovative and completely modern. CubCrafters designs and manufactures Experimental, LSA, and Part 23 Certified aircraft. The Carbon Cub family of aircraft redefined expectations for the backcountry flying experience with innovative design, modern materials, powerful engines, and breathtaking performance. Currently building over 100 new aircraft per year, the company’s newest offering, the Carbon Cub UL is in development specifically for international markets. The key to CubCrafters' success is our ability to create unique value in the experience of personal adventure aviation. Learn more: CubCrafters Website.
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The slogan “Giving Wings to People and Ideas” has driven Red Bull since its inception. When Red Bull was founded in the mid-1980s, a completely new product category was born – energy drinks. For nearly three years, from 1984 to 1987, company founder Dietrich Mateschitz worked on the formula for Red Bull, the positioning of the brand, the product packaging, and the marketing concept. On April 1, 1987, Red Bull Energy Drink was launched in Austria and has seen continued success since. As of the end of 2022, the company employed 15,779 people in 175 countries worldwide and had annual sales of over 11.5 billion cans of Red Bull. More than just an energy drink, Red Bull has become a global sports and cultural icon. Learn more: Red Bull Company Profile.