97 Octane Super Unleaded Since the replacement of regular E5 Mogas at the pumps by E10, for the time being at least, Mogas users have an alternative option in the form of 97 RON Super Unleaded fuels. 97 RON Super Unleaded fuel supplied by garage forecourts is NOT necessarily ethanol-free, but its ethanol content will be capped at a maximum of 5%. 97 RON E5 Super Unleaded fuel can be used under the LAA process for E5 Mogas, as before. There’s currently no legal requirement for ethanol to be present in super unleaded petrol and in fact, quite a few members have reported that their tests have shown Super Unleaded fuel to be ethanol-free in their areas. Esso reports that “Synergy Supreme+ 99 is actually ethanol free (except, due to technical supply reasons, in Devon, Cornwall, North Wales, North England and Scotland). Legislation requires us to place E5 labels on pumps that dispense unleaded petrol with ‘up to 5% ethanol’, including those that contain no ethanol, which is why we display them on our Synergy Supreme+ 99 pumps”. Shell, BP, Tesco and other fuel suppliers don’t commit to such detail, merely stating their fuels “may contain up to 5% ethanol”. Of course, many LAA members have been using Mogas of one sort or another for many years. For many airstrip users, the prospect of having to go to an airfield to fill up with Avgas would seem at best very off-putting, and at worst totally impractical for their style of operation. Hopefully Super Unleaded will continue to be an option using the LAA’s E5 procedure. Where 97 octane E5 super unleaded can be found that’s ethanol-free, it can be used in the broader range of LAA aircraft with engines eligible for use with E0 unleaded fuel. But it is important that Mogas users take on board the fact that unlike with aviation fuels, automotive fuel specifications generally only describe the properties of the fuel blend, in terms of octane rating and other characteristics, they don’t specify the chemical make-up of the fuel. Apart from specifying broad maxima and minima for those components that the powers-that-be wish to either encourage or discourage, the specifications leave to the fuel supplier the choice of how to blend the fuel to achieve the described properties. In some cases it’s the relatively small amounts of additives that cause compatibility issues, rather than the main components of the fuel that cause the problems – and the mix of additives may vary from one batch to the next. With Mogas of any type, what you get from the pump one week may be different to what you get the week after, or got the week before. The fact that your fuel system pump diaphragms, seals, composite tanks and so on might have been unaffected by Mogas up till now does not guarantee that they will be OK with the blend that the next tanker-load brings to your garage forecourt. Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this, and the only way to mitigate this problem is by constant vigilance, and thoughtful adaption of your maintenance schedule to check for signs of problems developing before they create a safety issue – more frequent checking of filters, changing of fuel lines etc. Signs to watch out for are swelling of rubber components like diaphragms, fuel valve seals and O rings, fuel pipes hardening or developing surface cracks, fuel tank sealants wrinkling or detaching from the internal surfaces of fuel tanks. Varnishes on cork floats may go gummy, or plastic carburettor floats absorb fuel and lose buoyancy, causing a rich mixture and rough running. Watch out for discolouration of the fuel you take out as fuel samples, which may imply something dissolving somewhere in the system, and for corrosion in the bases of your carb float bowls and gascolator. Avoid letting Mogas go stale in your fuel system – drain it out before a long period of disuse. Don’t leave the tanks empty for a long period – better to fill them with Avgas which will reduce condensation, and also, particularly with plastic tanks, prevent the tank’s internals drying out which can cause problems with shrinkage, and in extreme cases, the tanks splitting open. O rings and other rubber parts are best kept submerged in fuel continuously. We’ve seen cases where composite aircraft skins have rippled apparently due to exposure to the vapours created by the break-down products in stale Mogas, after being left unattended over a single winter. Mogas is blended with the expectation that in a car it will be used within a few weeks of being supplied, so it doesn’t need to be as stable over a long period of time as an aviation fuel. If a composite or plastic fuel tank is built into your aircraft, consider carefully whether you want to run the risk of having to replace it should the tank deteriorate with Mogas exposure, with all that that implies. With an integral tank in a wet-wing Jabiru aircraft, the answer should be certainly not – but even with the embedded polyethylene fuel tank in a Europa’s fuselage, changing the fuel tank is not an operation for the faint-hearted, involving cutting out quite large parts of the fibreglass cockpit module to release the tank, and then scarfing them back again afterwards in-situ. The Europa kit was first produced in the era of four-star Mogas, a very different blend to what we find at the pumps today. Ethanol-proof rubber hoses are available. In particular SAE J30/R9 or the European equivalent DIN 7339 D3 are automotive hose standards that are widely available from auto factors, and should be used in preference to the older SAEJ30/R6 standard hose which is more permeable to fuel vapour and will more quickly harden and crack, particularly using fuel containing ethanol. The SAE spec J30/R14 is a lower pressure, more pliable version for carburettor systems. Watch out for cheap imitations – the real McCoy should come from a reputable manufacturer, be marked with the SAE number along its length and will likely cost at least £10 a metre. What can we do to help the situation ? It may be that off-the-shelf drop-in-the-tank additives can be used to mitigate some of the problems with mogas fuel, in particular, stabilisers and anti-corrosion products, just as they are routinely in the marine and race-car world. Not knowing what’s in them, we recommending steering clear of any additives that claim to boost the fuel’s octane. Definitely avoid additives that claim to actively enhance an engine’s power or fuel economy, other than just to restore proper performance by giving the carburettor jets and orifices an occasional clean-up. For most aircraft engines UL91 Avgas remains the ideal fuel, in that it is a tightly-controlled aviation-grade fuel of a guaranteed composition, blended for long-term stability and optimal volatility for aviation use. As it is in effect the familiar 100LL Avgas but supplied without its tetraethyl lead, any fuel system designed for 100LL Avgas will be unaffected by using UL91 fuel, or, if circumstances demand, by a mix of 100LL and UL91. Despite a pervasive mis-conception, UL91 fuel is NOT Mogas and suffers from none of the issues associated with Mogas use in aircraft. A list of engines suitable for use with UL91 fuel can be downloaded from the ‘operating and maintaining an LAA Aircraft’ page of the LAA’s new website. Moves are afoot to increase the number of airfields supplying UL91 fuel, with full LAA backing.

Aircraft Maintenance Before accessing the maintenance documents below, please ensure you have read Technical Leaflet 2.19 - General Maintenance Schedule . Technical Leaflet 2.19 Other useful documentation is as follows: Maintenance Schedules Sample Engine Condition Monitor Blank Engine Condition Monitor AC 43.13-1B Chg 1 CAP 562: CAAIP CAP 661: MPDs Latest MPDs - not in CAP 661 CAP 747: Mandatory Requirements Breaking in an Engine Engine Pre-Oiler Schematic Forms, Checklists & Worksheets

Revalidating a Permit to Fly Revalidating the Permit to Fly on your aircraft involves a simple three-step process, as outlined below: START APPLICATION HERE More detailed information is available by clicking the buttons below: Step-by-Step Video Guide TL 2.00 - Permit Revalidation Frequently Asked Questions Check Flight Form, PFRC & Inspector Crib Sheet Revalidation Forms for Gyroplanes

Engineering INFO LIBRARY CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION INSPECTOR ZONE FLIGHT TESTING AIRCRA FT NIGHT/ IFR REVALIDATING A PERMIT TO FLY TECHNICAL LEAFLETS OPERATING & MAINTAINING BUILDING AIRCRAFT MODIFYING & REPAIRING AIRCRAFT FIND AN INSPECTOR TADS ENGINEERING FEES DESIGNING AIRCRAFT FACTORY BUILT GYROPLANES BUYING AIRCRAFT

Hirth 2 Stroke Covering Letter to Owners Fuel System Inspection Checklist

Light Aviation Magazine 2023 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2023 January 2023 April 2023 July 2023 October 2023 February 2023 May 2023 August 2023 November 2023 March 2023 June 2023 September 2023 December 2023

Inspector Training Seminars In 2018, the ‘Inspector Training Seminar’ (ITS) scheme was introduced. This means that, in order to continue operating as an Inspector, every Inspector must attend an ITS in the previous four years, as assessed on 31st March each year, as part of their recurrent training. All Inspector Training Seminars for spring 2025 have now been completed, there will be more Seminars planned for Autumn and Winter. Each Inspector Training Seminar is free-of-charge and includes a complimentary lunch. The day runs from 0930 to 1630. Any Inspector is welcome to book onto a seminar, effectively resetting their ITS attendance and therefore, recurrent training, early; but priority will be given to those Inspectors due for review by 31st March 2026. Please contact LAA Engineering for further details of exact venues and booking details.

Popular Flying Magazine 1957 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 1957 Jan 1955 PFA Bulletin March 1957 May/June 1957 July/August 1957 October/November 1957 December 1957 April 1957 September 1957

LAA are proud to announce our Rally 2025 sponsors General Information Event Opening Hours 9.30am – 5.00pm each day (Fri & Sat) 9.30am – 4.00pm (Sun) Fly-In Instructions Up to date fly-in instructions will be displayed here in the run up to the event. Please check before you fly for the latest instructions. Camping Camping facilities providing basic amenities including hot showers will be available on site. There is ample ground for caravans and motorhomes. The site will be up and running from Thursday afternoon and will close early on Monday morning. Camping passes can be bought in advance via the LAA Shop . In addition to catering provision on the exhibition site, evening food and a bar will be available on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings, provided by Leicestershire Aero Club. Parking Please follow the signs to the designated free Rally Car parks. Designated parking will be signed for Disabled and Exhibitor users. You must display a Blue Badge if using Disabled Parking areas - any car without a Blue Badge will be asked to move to the main parking area. All emergency access ways must be kept clear. Please ensure you are familiar with the routes and do not block with vehicles or stock. Please do not block emergency gates onto the airfield. You must ensure that you keep the roadway clear for all other users. Dogs We understand that many visitors wish to bring their dogs with them, we welcome dogs on site. However, as this is an operational airfield, all dogs MUST BE KEPT ON A LEAD when on any part of the site. Dogs are not allowed in the aircraft parking areas. Please ensure you pick up after your dog. Anyone caught allowing their dog to foul without picking up will be asked to remove the dog from site. All dogs must have an identity tag with contact tel no on. WiFi Should you require WiFi, then please bring your own supply. Please be aware that due to the remote location of the airfield, WiFi reception can be unreliable. Water TBC Waste We operate a clean site policy and therefore all exhibitors, visitors and traders should remove their own rubbish from their pitch. A skip will be provided on site for cardboard and general rubbish. No electrical or hazardous materials should be disposed of in the skip. Toilets & Shower Facilities Toilets will be provided in the exhibition site, in the aircraft park and on the campsite, together with hot shower facilities. First Aid First Aid cover is provided by an external third party for the duration of the event. In the event of an emergency, please contact them or a member of Leicester Airfield staff. Fire Fire Marshals will be in attendance and should be contacted in the unlikely event of fire. Please ensure all flammable materials are kept away from possible sources of ignition. Dispose of any rubbish in the skips provided. No naked flames are allowed on any exhibition stand or trading stand. Security Regular patrols are carried out by our contracted security staff. e-Scooters No e-Scooters are permitted on site.

The Annual General Meeting of the Light Aircraft Association Ltd Old Warden Aerodrome Airfield of The Shuttleworth Collection The Discovery Hub, Old Warden Aerodrome, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 9EP 20th October 2024 Our AGM will take place at Old Warden which will be a hybrid meeting, face-to-face for those who wish to attend, and a virtual facility for those who wish to ‘attend’ remotely. The AGM is scheduled to commence at 12:00 hrs on Sunday 20th October. The programme for the day will be: 1100 - Tea/Coffee 1130 - Welcome from Eryl Smith, LAA Chairman. 1135 - Presentation of LAA Service Awards and LAA Rally Awards 1200 - AGM 1300 - CEO overview and Members Forum. An opportunity for members to discuss issues and ideas with the Board. 1400 - Thanks and closure of the meeting. AGM Documents 2024 LAA AGM Agenda 2023 LAA AGM Minutes Annual Report & Accounts Proxy Voting Form Proxy Voting Form Notes

Light Aviation Magazine 2019 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2019 January 2019 April 2019 Juky 2019 October 2019 February 2019 May 2019 August 2019 November 2019 March 2019 June 2019 September 2019 December 2019

Over the years this has led to several commercially successful kitplanes (Europa, Streak Shadow, Sherwood Ranger), as well as designs that have been released for plans-building (Flitzer, Isaacs Fury, FRED) and a whole range of fascinating on-off personal aircraft – the Acro Advanced, Bonsall Mustang, Mickleburgh Sparrow to name just a few. There will always be LAA’ers keen on the ‘retro’ look, but with ever-increasing fuel costs we foresee a greater emphasis in future on aircraft exploring higher efficiency, alternative powerplants (electric?) and renewable materials. High hangarage fees mean that aircraft enthusiasts are more than ever interested in folding or de-riggable aircraft that can be kept at home. Using the information provided by clicking the links below, the LAA hopes to stimulate interest in light aircraft design, help potential designers through the process and encourage the development of high quality designs. With the decline in UK manufacturing over the recent decades, it seems more than ever important to keep alive a thread of creativity and enthusiasm for design and development. For some, the ability to bring a personal design from first concept to a flying prototype provides the ultimate source of satisfaction within the LAA scene. Designing Aircraft Since its formation in 1948, one of the stated aims of the LAA has been to encourage the designing and building of new types of light aircraft. For our own purposes, we in LAA Engineering have been producing a series of Excel spreadsheets to use as tools in the verification of calculations in the many aircraft design submissions we deal with. The spreadsheets have been designed to carry out the various calculations that are necessary during the design of light aircraft. Some of them have been written against specific paragraphs in the design code CS-VLA, whereas others, for example, cover areas related to the development of aircraft undergoing flight testing. In addition, simple spreadsheets for straightforward mathematical calculations have been written. It is for information and educational purposes that these spreadsheets are now available to LAA members on the LAA web site. Use the buttons below for more information on each design stage: Preliminary Design Detail Design Certification/Approval