STOLs

Stols is not an established topic on its own; it is most often encountered as the plural form of STOL, an aviation term. STOL stands for Short Takeoff and Landing, describing aircraft and operations optimized for brief launch and landing runs. In published literature the acronym is capitalized and the plural is typically written as STOLs rather than stols, though informal writing may vary.

STOL aircraft are designed to maximize performance on short or unimproved strips. Common design features include light airframes, high-lift wings, large flaps or slats, and rugged landing gear. Some models use tundra tires or skis for rough terrain or snow, and may employ fixed gear to reduce weight and complexity. The emphasis is on reducing takeoff distance and landing distance, sometimes at the expense of cruise speed or payload.

Applications for STOL performance are widespread in remote, mountainous, or wilderness regions, as well as in disaster relief, bush flying, and small-scale passenger or cargo operations. Well-known STOL aircraft include the de Havilland Canada Beaver and Otter, the Pilatus PC-6 Porter, the Cessna 208 Caravan, and the Antonov An-2, along with several light fixed-wing and bush planes modified for short-field work. These aircraft are valued for operation from unprepared fields, quick access to remote communities, and capability in adverse conditions.

Beyond aviation, stols may appear as a proper noun in various languages or contexts, but in technical usage the term refers to short takeoff and landing performance and related aircraft design. The lowercase form is uncommon in formal writing and is typically encountered only in nonstandard text.