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< Back LAA Alert for Rotax 900 series engines regarding the oil spray nozzle 18 Dec 2024 Inspection and/or Replacement of Oil Spray Nozzle On 16.12.24, Rotax issued a new MANDATORY Service Bulletin SB 912 i-016/SB 915 i-016 / SB 916 i-006 which calls for urgent action for engines of specified models within certain serial number ranges, if the engine has run for less than 200 hours from new, or engines which have been fitted with specific overhaul kits supplied between 01.01.22 and 31.10.24 inclusive. The bulletin concerns problems with a possible full or partial blockage of the oil spray nozzle due to an excessive application of Loctite at the manufacturing stage, when assembling the sprag clutch housing. This can lead to inadequate cooling of the stator assembly, potentially causing loss of electrical power to the engine’s ECU. A-05-2024 Rotax Engine Oil Spray Nozzle .pdf Download PDF • 205KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Robin Smith 2 Apr 2026 Robin enjoys every aspect of light aircraft whether it be flying or maintenance. Robin spent 15 years with REME attached to the Army Air Corps, was Aircraft Engineering Warrant Officer. He trained and experienced on helicopters, Skeeter, Bell 47 (Sioux), Alouette, Scout and Gazelle including their respective power units. He trained and experienced on fixed wing Auster 9 and Beaver including respective power units. He saw active service in Aden and Northern Ireland. He also flew in his early days as an observer. Robin has a UK PPL; he is a CRI and Fl(A). He currently instructs at Fowlmere with the British Aviation Academy and at Flying Made Easy at Old Buckenham airfield. He has aerobatic and aerobatic instructor rating and night rating. Differences training includes tailwheel and constant speed propellors. Robin has flown Robin HR200, Maule, Grob 115D, Cessna 140, Cessna 152, F24 Argus and PA28. He has owned a Robin HR200 a Maule MXT7 180A, Auster 6 and he currently owns a Grob115A C1 Aero which is fully aerobatic. He just loves turning himself upside down! He has worked with Modern Air Ltd at Fowlmere airfield doing annuals, inspections and repairs to Cessna 140, Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Cessna 177 Cardinal, Argus, Twin Cessna 310 and Extra aircraft. Currently he works with Touchdown Engineering at Old Buckenham on average some 2 days per week. He is also Safety Manager at Fowlmere and EASA approved. Robin has a small company Beagle Flight Consultancy Ltd which can provide several services which include Flight instruction via DTO/ATO, 2-year revalidations. Prebuy surveys, aircraft transport by road in UK and Europe. Import and export handling of light aircraft, inclusive of dismantle, containerisation, shipping, customs docus and assembly. Next Previous

< Back Engineering Employment Opportunity 13 Jul 2023 Want to take the next step in your Aviation Engineering career? Then join the Light Aircraft Association Engineering Team and help keep the UK’s largest fleet of vintage and light sport aircraft flying! We have vacancies for Airworthiness Engineers at all levels to be part of the LAA team based at Turweston. The successful applicants will be responsible for all aspects of continued airworthiness for the LAA-administered fleet of aircraft. Main duties will include the analysis of data from many sources to identify and communicate opportunities to improve the airworthiness of our fleet of nearly 3,000 aircraft. This will include working with manufacturers, the Air Accident Investigation Branch, LAA Inspectors and engineers and the LAA design team, as well as providing technical assistance to LAA members, writing technical articles for our own Light Aviation magazine, and assisting with Permit to Fly revalidations. The ideal applicants will demonstrate experience in all aspects of general aviation airworthiness, including a knowledge of airframes, engines and aircraft systems. A knowledge of vintage aircraft, as well as newer LAA types and modern avionics, would be advantageous. Inspired? Then we’re keen to create exciting career paths for the right individuals and will provide development, training and certification accordingly. Candidates should be IT competent with Microsoft Office, have a friendly personality and the ability to work within a small team and also independently. Excellent communication skills are required and attention to detail is essential. These are full-time posts, mainly based at LAA HQ but with potential for hybrid/remote working and site visits. Salary dependent on experience. Send your CV to [email protected] , and fly high with LAA. Next Previous

Light Aviation Magazine 2015 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2015 January 2015 April 2015 July 2015 October 2015 February 2015 May 2015 August 2015 November 2015 March 2015 June 2015 September 2015 December 2015

< Back Eurofox Rudder Pedal Failures - LAA Standard Modification Approved & MTD-05-2025 Issue 4 19 Jan 2026 LAA Standard Modification SM16826 provides a terminating action to the 10-hour inspections required in LAA MTD-05-2025, which has now been up-issued to ISSUE 4 The LAA Standard Modification – SM16826 ‘ Reinforcement of Rudder Pedal to Torque Tube Joints ’ has been through our internal review process and is now formally approved. SM16826 strengthens all 4 pedal joints by the addition of welded steel, wrap-around finger plates. Incorporating this standard modification provides a terminating action to the 10-hour inspections required in LAA MTD-05-2025, which has now been up-issued to Issue 4. The CAA have also confirmed that incorporating this modification will be a terminating action for CAA MPD-2026-002-E and we expect the MPD to be upissued this week to reflect this. Once Standard Modification SM16826 is completed, owners will need to submit an LAA/MOD 1 Form ( Standard Mod Incorporation ) to let us know that the modification has been embodied, so that we can update our records at LAA HQ. A copy of Form LAA/MOD 1 is here . As a CAA-approved welder is required for this modification, owners have been provided with a list of CAA welders known to the LAA. MTD-05-2025 - Eurofox Rudder Pedal Cracking Issue 4 .pdf Download PDF • 913KB SM16826 Reinforcement of Rudder Pedals Issue 1 .pdf Download PDF • 743KB Next Previous

< Back Engineering updates in February 5 Mar 2026 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during February. Technical Leaflets : TL 1.03 'Information required on completion of your build project' TL 1.10 'List of aircraft parts and materials suppliers' TL 3.03 'Avionics installations' Standard modifications : SM 16826 'Eurofox reinforcement of rudder pedals' issue 2 TADS: Eurofox Next Previous

< Back Engineering updates in December 2 Jan 2025 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during December. Continuing airworthiness information: Mandatory Technical Directive 07-2024 - Eurofox trim cables Alert 03-2024 - Eurostar trim cables Alert 04-2024 - Loose Rotax engines Alert 05-2024 - Rotax 900 series engines - blocked oil spray nozzle Technical Leaflets: TL 2.22 'non-type specific MPDs' TADS : Sling 4 TSi Wishing all our members a very Happy New Year. Next Previous

Light Aviation Magazine 2011 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2011 January 2011 April 2011 Juky 2011 October 2011 February 2011 May 2011 August 2011 November 2011 March 2011 June 2011 September 2011 December 2011

< Back New LAA Inspectors - Umberto Izzo & Simon Boynett 26 Jan 2024 It is time to introduce you to two more new LAA Inspectors - Umberto Izzo and Simon Boynett, who both attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day in December, with our Chief Inspector, Lucy. Umberto's experience is mainly in general aviation and microlight aircraft (metal, fabric and composites), either Lycoming, Continental or Rotax-powered. He is also IRMT-approved. He owns a share in Jodel 1050. Simon is a retired Licensed Aircraft Engineer with 44 years of experience working on Commercial Passenger and Cargo aircraft. He has a B1 and B2 CAA licence (Airframes, Engines and Electrical generation systems) B2 (Avionics, Auto flight, Auto land systems, Radio and Radar). In addition to this, he has an FAA issued A & P licence. He put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into building his own Vans RV 7, that he still loves to fly today as often as he can. Although retired, he still has aeroplanes and safety in his blood and looks forward to helping others to keep the high standards the LAA require, and to advise and certify Maintenance and Permit to Fly revalidation inspections. Next Previous

For part-built LAA projects, the new owner/builder needs to continue following the LAA amateur-build process. For already-flying LAA aircraft, the new owner simply takes on the responsibilities of the old owner for looking after the airworthiness of the aircraft. The restoration of an aircraft might range from dusting off the cobwebs and giving the engine a good service, to a full strip down to component parts and fabricating missing or damaged parts. It is also possible, in some circumstances, to import a part-built or completed aircraft from overseas. This is generally only possible where the type is already accepted by the LAA, the aircraft can be shown to have been amateur-built under a similar regime to that in the UK, and which is readily inspectable to confirm the build standard. A number of LAA types come under the heading ‘orphaned vintage types’. These are types that are no longer supported by their manufacturer and have been deemed ‘orphaned’ by the CAA (e.g. Austers). There are also some types that can elect to operate either on a Certificate of Airworthiness or on an LAA-administered Permit to Fly (e.g. Chipmunks). Buying an Aircraft Not everyone has the inclination, ability or time available to build an aircraft. The only route then is to buy a part-built aircraft for completion, a ready-flying aircraft or an aircraft in need of restoration. When buying an aircraft, the overriding message is ‘Buyer Beware!’ If you’re buying an aircraft that is already flying within the LAA system, you mainly need to satisfy yourself that it’s in an acceptable condition and meets your needs. LAA Inspectors are often happy to look over an aircraft for you to help you make a technical assessment of its condition. Another area you should consider is whether it has enough payload to take you where you want to go. When buying a partially-built aircraft or one from overseas, you need to make sure that the aircraft is eligible to hold a UK Permit to Fly and is in a configuration that the LAA can accept. It is usually a good idea to drop LAA Engineering an email to check before you part with large amounts of money. For further information, click the button below or look in the 'Classifieds' section of the LAA Magazine Click here for more information

< Back Inspector Renewal 19 Mar 2024 It's that time of year again! LAA Inspector Authorisations lapse at the end of this month. Renewing is simple, available both on and offline. In order to renew this year, Inspectors need to carry out two simple steps, which are as follows: Complete and sign the ' Inspector Declaration, ' which was emailed to all Inspectors on 4th March, and return to LAA Engineering, either as a scanned document or in the post. Pay the Inspector Renewal Fee , which is £40 and covers administration of an Inspector Authorisation throughout the year. (For Inspectors of Factory Built Gyroplanes, there is no longer an additional fee. All Inspectors pay £40). Inspectors can pay via the LAA shop, found here , or by giving us a call with their payment card details. Alternatively, Inspectors can pay by Bank Transfer. Inspectors' continuing support is crucial and we sincerely hope that all Inspectors will renew. Next Previous

< Back CAA Licencing Update 11 Jun 2025 ** The final legislation has not yet come into force and we’ll provide more comprehensive details when we have confirmation of the actual legislation (hopefully late July) that has gone to Parliament ** Link to document can be found below: CAA Licencing update .pdf Download PDF • 459KB Next Previous