To explain what I mean by the question in the title, I'm curious whether good quality and dependable aeroplanes from the 1900s and 1910s (regardless of size or type) were capable of STOL takeoffs and STOL landings. I'm particularly curious about small aeroplanes, such as very early bushplanes, early sportsplanes and recreational planes, or early scoutplanes and fighters ? It's clear to me that an early big plane like Sikorsky's Grand or the various WWI bombers would be rather unlikely to handle any takeoff or landing without a fairly long runway, of adequate length. But what about the smaller planes I mention in the preceding sentence ? Do they have a chance to be at least partly capable of STOL manoeuvres ?
One of the more extreme examples of a modern STOL bushplane is the Swiss-designed Pilatus PC-6 Porter, in production since the mid 20th century. It's not been called "a helicopter with wings" for nothing. Here's a sample STOL takeoff and a sample STOL landing. of a PC-6 Porter. Certainly impressive. Could any plane from the 1900s, 1910s or even the 1920s handle such takeoffs and landings ?
Would similar performances be at all possible with 1900s and 1910s monoplanes, biplanes and triplanes ? Were there notable exceptions or were there none ? Is there some technological or material issue that could cause a stumbling block for any short take offs and short landings by these planes ? Is it an issue concerning the nature of control surfaces on the wings, or the shape of the fuselage, or other lift-influencing factors ?
Thanks for sharing any feedback on the subject. I need it for a story with very early 20th century style aviation where period tech planes might need to land on short runways high in the mountains, and then take off. Even within a "stranded in the mountains, attempts a risky takeoff" context. Could a 1910s bushplane attempt an STOL takeoff in such an environment ?
One of the more extreme examples of a modern STOL bushplane is the Swiss-designed Pilatus PC-6 Porter, in production since the mid 20th century. It's not been called "a helicopter with wings" for nothing. Here's a sample STOL takeoff and a sample STOL landing. of a PC-6 Porter. Certainly impressive. Could any plane from the 1900s, 1910s or even the 1920s handle such takeoffs and landings ?
Would similar performances be at all possible with 1900s and 1910s monoplanes, biplanes and triplanes ? Were there notable exceptions or were there none ? Is there some technological or material issue that could cause a stumbling block for any short take offs and short landings by these planes ? Is it an issue concerning the nature of control surfaces on the wings, or the shape of the fuselage, or other lift-influencing factors ?
Thanks for sharing any feedback on the subject. I need it for a story with very early 20th century style aviation where period tech planes might need to land on short runways high in the mountains, and then take off. Even within a "stranded in the mountains, attempts a risky takeoff" context. Could a 1910s bushplane attempt an STOL takeoff in such an environment ?
Last edited:
