| The Light Aircraft Association

Modifications

There are five levels of modification:

1. The Prototype (“normal”) modification

This is a normal modification application made in the usual way and is applicable only to the aircraft for which the application is made.

Further Details:
Technical Leaflet TL 3.01

Apply Using Form:
LAA/MOD 2 and
LAA/MOD 3

Application Fee:
* see below

2. The Repeat modification

This is a modification that has already been approved on one aircraft as a Prototype modification, but is now requested by the owner of a subsequent aircraft to be applied to their aircraft. The detail of information available may not be as much as for a Standard modification. Note that a Repeat modification must identically replicate the original Prototype modification including fasteners and positions of parts and should generally be on the same aircraft type as the original.

Further Details:
Technical Leaflet TL 3.07
List of Prototype mods since 1/1/08 (TL 3.17)

Apply Using Form:
LAA/MOD 11

Application Fee:
* see below

3. The Standard modification

This is a modification that is very well defined and is applicable to a particular aircraft or engine type or types. Members may continue to nominate new Standard modifications using form LAA/MOD 9; however, LAA Engineering may choose to convert popular Repeat modifications into Standard modifications.

Further Details:
Technical Leaflet TL 3.06
See list and details of approved Standard modifications

Apply Using Form:
LAA/MOD 1
Also see individual modifications for details

Application Fee:
Variable, see individual modifications for details

4. Manufacturers’ modifications

Kit manufacturers and plans suppliers often have long lists of optional modifications that can be fitted and during the lifetime of a type product improvements are introduced. Generally, LAA-accepted optional items are listed on the TADS for the type.

Further Details:
Not applicable

Apply Using Form:
Not applicable

Application Fee:
Not applicable

5. The Trivial change

Sometimes a change is so trivial that no application is required and there is no need to inform the Engineering department.

Further Details:
Technical Leaflet TL 3.10

Apply Using Form:
Not applicable

Application Fee:
Not applicable

6. STCs

Where a change has previously been approved by means of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), LAA Engineering then only needs to investigate any installatin/compatibility issues rather than the change itself.

Further Details:
Not applicable

Apply Using Form:
LAA/MOD 13

Application Fee:
£30

Avionics installations

These are not considered modifications, but in order to fulfil their legal obligations, owners are required to keep LAA up-to-date should radio details alter. A special system exists for the approval of radio changes that is separate from other modifications. The procedures in TL 3.03 must be followed.

Further Details:
Technical Leaflet TL 3.03

Apply Using Form:
LAA/MOD 7

Application Fee:
No charge for radio/transponder installations, but a £30 fee is chargeable for certified ADS-B Out applications - see TL 3.03

Engine and propeller changes

These are treated as Prototype or Repeat modifications as per the above definitions, unless they appear on the PTL list for the type.

Further Details:
Technical Leaflet TL 3.02
PTL/1 Lists

Apply Using Form:
LAA/MOD 4
LAA/MOD 5

Application Fee:
* see below

Category changes

Applications to change an aircraft’s category from a microlight to a ‘Group A’ aircraft (and vice versa) are allocated a modification number to record the change. If an engine or propeller change is required at the same time, then an application must be made as noted above.

Apply Using Form:
LAA/MOD 10

Application Fee:
£135

* All prototype modifications (including engine and propeller changes) attract a minimum fee of £60 which covers up to two hours' work; all repeat modifications (including engine and propeller changes) attract a minimum fee of £30 which covers up to one hour's work. Thereafter, work is charged at £30/hour in either case. See the relevant Technical Leaflet for the type of modification for further details.

Repairs

A repair is defined as:

“A deviation from the approved design which arises unintentionally either during manufacture or in service”

Further information on repairs can be found in Technical Leaflets TL 3.05 and TL 3.13 (composite repairs). Applications for repairs are to be made on form LAA/MOD 8. Charges are made in the same way as modifications, above (£60 minimum fee, £30/hr).

Note that ‘repairs’ made by replacing a whole part with a new, authentic spare part (e.g. replacing a damaged landing gear member with a new one from the importer) does not need an application and can simply be signed off by an inspector in the logbook.