Flying Together: Rosen Sunvisor Systems at Wings Over Willamette & STOL WARS

Vans Aircraft's new RV-15 high wing airplane.

Here at Rosen, aviation isn’t just part of our business—it’s our passion. That’s why we were proud to sponsor the Wings Over Willamette Fly-In & STOL WARS this year, hosted by EAA Chapter 292 at Independence State Airport in Oregon.

The event brought together pilots, families, aviation enthusiasts, and innovators for a weekend of flying, education, and competition. From vintage aircraft displays to inspiring forums, youth programs, and the thrilling STOL WARS short takeoff and landing competition, it was a celebration of everything we love about aviation.

​Highlights of the Weekend

• Watching and even participating in the STOL WARS competition, as pilots tested their aircraft and skill and prowess, striving for takeoff and landing accuracy
• Getting to see new designs like Van’s Aircraft’s RV-15, (right) built with backcountry performance in mind.
• Connecting with organizations that keep aviation’s history alive, from the Oregon Aviation Historical Society to WAAAM.
• Seeing families, kids, and aviation newcomers light up with excitement—proof that the future of flight is bright.

The STOL WARS CompetitionSTOL competitions are as much about personal challenge as they are about competing against others. With such a wide variety of airplanes on the field, every flight tells a different story. This year, we watched “Jughead” Counsell compete in a Carbon Cub FX3, Scooter Reid in a classic Piper J3 Cub, Mike Rhodes piloting a Cessna 170B, Jonathan Buss flying a legendary deHavilland Beaver DHC-2, and my brother Dan and I in our Zenith 801.
Of course, aircraft performance plays a big role, but that’s only part of the equation. The real thrill comes from seeing a skilled pilot coax remarkable takeoffs and landings out of a seemingly ordinary, stock airplane—the kind you might find parked at your local airport. That combination of pilot skill and machine capability is what makes STOL WARS so exciting to watch.
​Why We Sponsored
Supporting this event was about more than a logo on a banner. It was about:

• Championing General Aviation – We believe GA is the heart of aviation, connecting communities, enabling innovation, and inspiring new generations of aviators.
• Encouraging Skill & Safety – STOL competitions push the limits of precision flying and showcase aircraft performance in ways that help the whole industry grow.
• Investing in the Future – With youth programs like Young Eagles and Teen Build, Wings Over Willamette ensures the next generation of engineers, pilots, and dreamers have a path into aviation.
• Getting Product Feedback from pilots – An invaluable part of any aviation event, whether it's Sun N' Fun, Oshkosh or WoW is getting to talk with pilots about our products and finding out what pilots like, what could be improved, or even what they'd like to see from new products from Rosen.
• Building Community – Events like this bring together people who share our passion. We’re honored to help make that happen.

Our Commitment
At Rosen Sunvisor Systems, we’re known for delivering trusted cockpit and cabin sun visor and sun attenuation assemblies that support safety and comfort of pilots worldwide. But just as important, we’re committed to supporting the aviation community itself.
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Events like Wings Over Willamette remind us that aviation is about more than aircraft—it’s about people, passion, and progress.

We’re proud to play our part, and we look forward to sponsoring and supporting many more events that keep general aviation thriving.

Thank You
A huge thank-you to the organizers, volunteers, pilots, fellow sponsors and attendees who made this year’s Wings Over Willamette Fly-In & STOL WARS such a success. And a huge thank you to Juan Browne of the Blancolirio channel for MCing and bringing his wit, charm, knowledge and passion for aviation to the event.  We’re already excited for next year—see you here!

​— The Rosen Sunvisor Systems Team

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See the action in 360°

Watch the video below, click the settings icon and up the resolution, and then click and drag to look around as you get a full 360 degree view of my brother Dan and I on our competition runs for STOL WARS.