Modifications
From the Spring of 2009, the LAA modification system has been streamlined to improve the services to members, to introduce a charging scheme more proportionate to the amount of engineering effort required and to help improve turnaround times.
Five levels of modification are introduced:
|
Description |
Further Details |
Apply Using Form |
Application Fee |
|
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. |
Technical Leaflet |
LAA/MOD 2 and |
£45.00 |
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. |
Technical Leaflet TL 3.07
List of Prototype mods since 1/1/08 (TL 3.17) |
£22.50 |
|
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. |
Technical Leaflet TL 3.06
|
Also see individual modifications for details |
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. |
[This TL is not yet published] |
Not applicable |
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. |
Technical Leaflet TL 3.10 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
|
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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. |
Technical Leaflet TL 3.03 |
Not applicable |
|
|
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. |
Technical Leaflet TL 3.02
|
£45.00 (Prototype) £22.50 (Repeat) |
|
|
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. |
|
£135.00 |
|
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. A charge of £22.50 is applicable to each repair application.
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.