22 Sept 2026
More than 3,000 LAA members, pilots, enthusiasts and families gather in Leicestershire to celebrate 80 years of the Light Aircraft Association!
Leicester Airport was buzzing with aviation this weekend as the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) Rally 2026 brought together more than 3,000 pilots, aircraft owners, homebuilders, exhibitors, speakers, volunteers and aviation enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond.
Held from 4–6 September, this year’s Rally marked the LAA’s 80th anniversary, celebrating eight decades of supporting recreational flying, aircraft building, engineering and the wider general aviation community. From beautifully restored classics and innovative homebuilt designs to modern light aircraft and the latest aviation products and services, the Rally showcased the combination of aviation, engineering, craftsmanship, innovation and community that makes the LAA unique.
Celebrating 80 years of building, flying and innovation
The anniversary provided a fitting theme for the Rally, celebrating the remarkable contribution the LAA and its members have made to recreational aviation since its formation.
Aircraft representing different eras of the Association’s history helped tell the story of recreational aviation, alongside a special static line-up and 80th anniversary cake.
Visitors had the opportunity to get close to aircraft, meet the people who build and fly them, talk to specialists and discover more about general aviation.
Saturday featured a special flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), while the iconic Little Nellie autogyro, made famous by James Bonds, You only live twice, was on static display from the Ken Wallace Collection.
Another standout was the Druine Turbulent, which took part in the 1956 Tour of UK Airfields and is still flying today as part of the Turbulent display team.
More than just an airfield
Almost 1,000 aircraft movements took place during the event, with 421 aircraft arriving at Leicester Airport. But the Rally offered much more than aircraft displays.
The Homebuilders Marquee highlighted the skill and ingenuity involved in designing, building and maintaining aircraft, while the new STEM Zone showcased drones, wind tunnels, 3D printers and immersive simulators.
Visitors could also hear from aviation experts in Speakers Corner, explore indoor and outdoor displays and meet fellow enthusiasts. For families and newcomers, the Rally provided an accessible introduction to the people, skills and stories behind general aviation.
A huge team effort
The success of the Rally depended on the combined efforts of the LAA Rally team, Leicester Airport, exhibitors, pilots and, particularly, the many volunteers who gave their time to make the weekend happen.
Simon Tilling, LAA CEO, said:
“The 80th anniversary Rally has been a fantastic celebration of everything that makes the LAA special. We are enormously grateful to everyone who travelled to Leicester, supported the event and helped make it such a memorable weekend. The LAA has an extraordinary history, but this Rally has also shown that there is huge enthusiasm for its future.”
Looking to the future
The Rally was not simply a celebration of the LAA’s history, but also of the future of recreational aviation.
With new generations discovering flying, aircraft builders continuing to innovate and an enthusiastic community supporting the next generation of pilots and engineers, the message was clear: the passion for light aviation is very much alive and well.
The LAA Rally 2026 provided a fitting celebration of 80 years of building, flying and innovation, and a confident launch into the next 80.
