Latest LAA News - 2008

Government Abandons Take-Off Tax - 28th November 2008

Zenair CH601-XL incident in Holland

 

Update 5th December

 

The CAA issued an MPD on 24 November 2008 formally grounding the CH601-XL in the UK, following the LAA's earlier advice to owners.  LAA Engineering continues to be fully involved in pursuing a resolution to this issue and is working to that end on a daily basis. 

 

LAA Engineering has recently managed to make contact with the Dutch accident investigators and has started getting some information relating to the accident there.  Similarly, links have been established with Zenair Europe as well as the NTSB in the US, who are investigating other accidents involving the type.  Reviews of the structure have raised some queries and LAA is working closely with the other parties to establish whether they might be contributory factors. 

It is hoped that any areas of concern can be rapidly addressed so that members can get back in the air as soon as possible; although this is likely to be dependent on modifications being proposed to address any areas of concern."

 

Update - 5th November 2008

 

Following the accident in Holland and the issue of an 'AD' by the Zenair factory, the LAA has reviewed the situation as it currently stands and has concluded that more work needs to be done to resolve a potential aileron flutter issue on this type, which may or may not have been a factor in this accident. Reluctantly, the LAA has recommended to the UK CAA that the Zenair CH601-XL type administered by the LAA be grounded pending further investigations. All affected owners have been contacted directly by letter, a copy of which can be found here.

 

30th October 2008

 

The Dutch Authorities have recently grounded their fleet of CH601-XL aircraft following a fatal accident. At the current time, the LAA and CAA are not mandating any action, but LAA Engineering have released this statement. Updates will be posted here and owners will be written to directly if and when any action needs to be taken. Francis Donaldson's article from September's Light Aviation can be found here.

Jon Viner Deputy Chief Engineer LAA

November's Light Aviation Magazine - 30th October 2008

There's been an error at the printers during the run of our magazine for November, with eight pages from last month's (October) magazine randomly replacing the equivalent pages from November's. Unfortunately, the Post Office had already grabbed the complete run before it was spotted by our office. You will now receive two magazines for November, same cover, but rather different inside.
The whole cost of re-print and re-post will be borne by the printer. It's anticipated you'll start receiving the 2nd copy early next week. We're really sorry for the inconvenience.
On a more positive note, the issue looks the best yet. Congratulations to Brian Hope and the editorial team.
Pete Harvey CEO LAA

Emergency Locator Transmitter / Personal Locator Beacon changes - 13th October 2008

There is a change to ELTs / PLBs channel and Satellite tracking. Check out the CAA website on:

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=14&pagetype=65&appid=7&newstype=

n&mode=detail&nid=1670.From 1st Feb 2009 the 'old' 121.5MHz frequency will not be picked up by satellite (but see the note below). The CAA and other NAAs are encouraging the new 406MHz transmitters (they are registered). One main advantage of the new frequency is the reduction in false alerts and the ability to contact you if 'your' beacon is activated (hence the registration).  Look out for more news on this subject from CAA, GASCo and LAA..... Read More

Although LAA Engineering will continue to send out the appropriate flight test schedule with the issue of a Permit Flight Release Certificate (PFRC) that authorises flight test of an aircraft that has undergone modification, repair or overhaul, it is now possible to download a copy of the current flight test schedules and print them off at home.  The advantage of this facililty is that pilots can use one copy to record the necessary data during flight test and transfer this data neatly on the original schedule for submission to LAA Engineering. It is not recommended that these schedules are copied onto your computer as they are subject to change at any time and superceded schedules submitted may not be accepted.

The response deadling for NPA 17 - FCL (Flight Crew Licensing) has been put back to February 28th 2009 - 8th October 2008

The LAA, as per many representative bodies, is preparing a very detailed response to this NPA. Its impact, complexity, coverage and interrelation with other NPAs is so great, that the LAA team is co-ordinating a considerable amount of time and effort in its preparation. You may wish to make your own representations and you can find the link on the EASA website at http://www.easa.europa.eu/ws_prod/r/r_npa.php. This link lists the current NPAs and where the common response tool (CRT) is located. If you want to contact us on this issue, please e-mail Peter Davis, LAA's National Coach - coaching@laa.uk.com.

LAA ET Educational Courses - 2nd Oct 2008

We are pleased to announce that the long awaited Engineering based courses for LAA members will commence in November. An initial six courses are being organised by the LAA Education Trust (LAA ET), one per month from November till April, further courses being dependant on membership take up. The courses are aimed at giving theoretical and practical tuition in a range of subjects to help members build and maintain their aircraft. The first course is scheduled for November 15th at Turweston, and will be on Sheet Metalwork. Instructors Mike Barnard and John Mitchie, assisted by Gary Smith (all Vans RV builders) will present a sheet metalwork primer, to include cutting, bending, drilling, dimpling, de-burring, and riveting, etc of sheet materials. This will be followed by a practical session when attendees will construct a Vans Aircraft tool box, which encompasses the fundamental techniques a builder would need to commence work on a metal aircraft kit. The course will start at 9:00 am and end around 5:00 pm. Tea and coffee will be provided and there will be a lunch break for attendees to try out the new cafe accommodation at the airfield. Cost of the course will be £95 plus £20 for the toolbox kit, which the proud new sheet metal-worker can take home as a keepsake. All tools and hand-out literature will be provided, bar one or two minor requirements that will be listed in the information sent to students in advance. Numbers are limited to 8 to ensure that there is a good student/instructor ratio for the practical sessions. You must be an LAA member to attend the course, and places will be allotted on a first come first served basis. Please contact Penny Sharpe at the office to book a place – 01280 846786. Further courses will be announced in the next isue of Light Aviation.

NPPL Medical to Fly can now be used with CAA licences - 30th September 2008

The CAA have confirmed that JAR (expiring) and CAA (non-expiring) licences (PPLs, BCPLs, R/RCPLs and any other pre JAR-FCL CAA-issued pilot licence) can be used with a NPPL medical to fly with privileges of the NPPL ............... More

Clean sweep for British Microlighting team - 29th August 2008

Following hot on the heels of the British Olympic success, there’s a veritable medal fest from the British microlight team at the recent European Championships in Leszno, Poland.

Gold in all classes they competed in, plus a couple of bronzes and a near 4th – fabulous result.

http://britsatemc2008.blogspot.com/  for the details.

As a GB gliding team competitor myself, I can appreciate the hard work that must have gone into the microlight team’s preparation, the maintained focus over a considerable time to get a clean sweep, the euphoria of realisation and the sheer volume of beer that must have been consumed…

Well done all.

Filser TRT600 and TRT800 Mode S Transponders - 27th August 2008

EASA has issued AD No. 2008-0158 that affects the use of the Filser TRT600 and TRT800 series of Mode S transponders.  A copy of the AD is available from the web site of the Filser importer LX Avonics http://www.lxavionics.co.uk/transponders.htm.

Owners who have already received LAA approval to use the subject equipment must comply with the AD.  Until such time that the manufacturer, Funkwerk Avionics GmbH, is able to resolve the problems associated with these transponders, we are not able to issue further installation approvals.  Monitor LX Avionics' web site for the latest information. (Updated 10.10.08)

First UK RV10 flys at Turweston - 26th August 2008

After a couple of years in his shed, our intrepid Chairman has been allowed out with his latest creation, the UK's first RV10. With final assembly in the 'end' hanger at Turweston, we have witnessed its transformation from alu-chrysalis into 4-seater touring butterfly (that's probably pushing the creative metaphors too much, but it looks the 'biz').

Anyway, it stands up very well alongside the sleek Cirrus SR racing tourers in which it has shared space. Stan Hodgkins has flown the test schedule, with mostly minor tweaks being required. Roger reports performance figures matching and exceeding expectations. With painting now underway, the finished article should appear very soon. Check out the full report in the next LAA magazine.