The LAA changed on 1st March 2009 to a tiered system.
Now there are two categories of membership – ‘FULL’ members and ‘FULL PLUS’ members.
1) What is a ‘Full’ member?
Answer: A ‘Full’ member is a member of the LAA who does not need access to LAA Engineering services.
2) What is a ‘Full Plus’ member?
Answer: A ‘Full Plus’ member is a Full member of the LAA who requires access to LAA Engineering services to build or operate a Permit to Fly aircraft administered by the LAA.
3) We have a syndicate of 6 equal owners. Do we all need to be Full Plus members?
Answer: No. Whilst all owners in a syndicate need to be Full members of the LAA, only one needs to be a Full Plus member to enable access to Engineering services and to be the primary point of contact. We recommend that wherever possible more than one syndicate member takes out Full Plus membership so as to ensures access to Engineering services at all times.
4) If I join / renew as a Full Member and then decide to commence building an aircraft, register a project or purchase an LAA aircraft during the year, do I have to upgrade my membership? Will I have access to engineering services before I renew as a Full Plus member?
Answer: There is no need to upgrade immediately, simply upgrade to Full Plus on your next membership renewal.
5) What if I sell my aircraft part way through the year? Can I downgrade from Full Plus to Full and receive a rebate?
Answer: No, it costs too much to administer. Simply let us know at your next renewal and we’ll do the rest.
6) I am a Full Member, but want to ask a question about a particular kit. Do I have to upgrade to Full Plus membership before talking to Engineering?
Answer: No. Engineering will always endeavour to assist with such question, it’s part of the service. Of course, if you have a Permit aircraft ‘Hangar Queen’ and want to ask questions concerning getting it flying again, we’d expect you to become a Full Plus member if you commence work on it.
7) I am a senior citizen. Is there a discount?
Answer: Yes. Full members over 65 pay a reduced rate after their first year of membership. However, in fairness there is no Full Plus Senior category; all members requiring Engineering services need Full Plus membership.
8) My wife/husband and I require joint membership. Which one do we select?
Answer: You simply select Full Joint or Full Plus Joint according to your requirement for Engineering services.
9) I’m a student. Can I operate an aircraft under a student category?
Answer: No. All members requiring Engineering services need Full Plus membership.
10) What about overseas members?
Answer: You select the appropriate category, which ads a surcharge of £7 per year to help towards the extra postage on the monthly magazine.
11) I am an existing member with a Permit aircraft, but accidentally renew as Full, rather than Full Plus membership. When I try to renew the Permit, will Engineering refuse to revalidate the Permit?
Answer: No. Your paperwork will be processed, but you will be expected to pay the upgrade difference before it is issued.