Search this site

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

The Annual General Meeting of the Light Aircraft Association Ltd Whittlebury Hall, Northants, NN12 8QH 18th October 2026, 1200 hrs Notice was given in the July 2026 issue of Light Aviation that the AGM of the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) will be held at Whittlebury Hall, Whittlebury, Towester, NN12 8QH Sunday 18th October 2026, 1200hrs. The AGM will provide for both in person and remote online participation. These arrangements will be professionally administered. In addition, those unable to attend may elect to submit proxy votes. The AGM will be preceded by the presentation of LAA Service, Rally Trophies and Awards to members. Following the AGM there will be time reserved for a Member’s Forum for discussion and Q&A on general matters with the Board and CEO. Light refreshments will be available upon arrival and lunch will be available to purchase at the hotel following the AGM. If you have any comments/questions for the AGM or the Member’s Forum get in touch via [email protected] . AGM 2026 Documentation Proxy Form Agenda Minutes of AGM 2025 LAA Accounts 2025

Continental Covering Letter to Owners AAN PFA 999-413 Sup 3 Approved Mogas Aircraft/Continental Engine combinations Inspection Checklist

LAA Member Discounts

LAA are proud to announce our Rally 2026 sponsor Trophies & Awards A number of prestigious Trophies and Awards are judged at the Rally, recognising the many superbly built and restored aircraft that attend. If you would like to enter your aircraft for judging you can do so on arrival. The judging team will be co-located with booking-in tent, airside. You can, however, download and complete the entry form beforehand. The list of the awards for 2026 can be found here . Detailed list of award can be found here . Judging guidelines can be found here . Factory built aircraft less than 35 years old are not eligible. The judging team will ensure you are in all competitions for which you are eligible. The judges sometimes have difficulty finding an aircraft. Owners are therefore urged to download the free`What3Words’ app and use it to show their aircraft’s location when registering. All pilots who wish their aircraft to be judged are asked to display to the marshallers the large J found here . They will then direct you, if possible, to a convenient parking space. Please leave the 'J' visible in the windscreen to help the judges find your aircraft. Judging takes place from 13:30 to 17:00 on the Saturday; therefore, all entries must be received by 13:00 on Saturday.

Jabiru Engine Course Price Member - £213, Non-Member - £233 Duration Arrival 09:00. Finish 17:00. < Back About the Course It is widely accepted that a good working knowledge of an engine will help a pilot to service and maintain it to a satisfactory standard. This course is designed to give pilots sufficient knowledge to be confident that their engines are both serviceable and airworthy and; if an issue is detected, to know whether they have the ability to resolve the issue or need to seek assistance. The course will also cover the common engine weaknesses and the important Jabiru modifications. The course primarily focuses on the 4 and 6 cylinder generation 1-3 engines. The course will also benefit owners of the latest generation 4 engine, but information will be limited due to the overall hours flown to date for this type of engine. The Aim of the Course The aim of the course is to give Jabiru engine operators sufficient knowledge to maintain and operate their engines. Method A classroom slide presentation will be given , supported by a demonstration engine and parts, detailing the build of a Jabiru engine from the crankshaft up. The slide presentation will also use the knowledge gained from the virtual build and cover how to check for engine serviceability prior to flight. Course Instructor: Clive James. Clive has owned and operated a Jabiru for over 20 years and in that time has worked on many engines, including 4 and 6 cylinder engines. Clive also provides technical assistance to many Jabiru engine owners, helping them maintain their engines to an airworthy standard. Your Instructor Clive James Dates TBC Times Arrival 09:00. Finish 17:00. Duration One day course Venue LAA HQ, Turweston Aerodrome, NN13 5YD Price Member - £213, Non-Member - £233 Booking Pls call the LAA on 01280 846 786 to enquire/book or email [email protected] . *Please note that payment is required when booking, to confirm your place. NO place will be held without confirmed payment* **Please note that your booking payment is non-refundable unless we can fill your place timeously or there are exceptional circumstances**

< Back The importance of airfield location 12 Feb 2024 The first results of a survey conducted by the new Strategic Airfield Network (SAN) indicate that location is the number one reason airfields consider themselves important. For more information, head to the Flyer article below: https://flyer.co.uk/location-location-location-airfields-are-important/ Next Previous

< Back Van's Aircraft laser-cut parts - update 20 Oct 2023 Since our mention of this issue in the August edition of Light Aviation , Van’s Aircraft have been toiling away analysing and testing various structural elements to establish the effect that the laser cutting of parts has had on their strength and fatigue life. Detailed updates can be found on their website, but understandably UK builders and operators are seeking clarity on what the endgame will be on this issue. As the issue generally affects potential fatigue life, there is no immediate need to take action. In discussion with Rian Johnson, Van’s President and Chief Engineer, he tells us that they’re working on service information for the fleet that they expect to be published by the end of the year. Having worked closely with Van’s over many years, our expectation is that we will endorse their position. Next Previous

< Back MTD-04-2025 upissued to Issue 2 - Rans Control Linkage Rod End Connector Safety Washers 18 Nov 2025 MTD-04-2025 Issue 2 - Rans Control Linkage Rod End Connector Safety Washers MTD-04-2025 Issue 1 was recently published to mandate the replacement of all plastic control linkage rod end connector washers with metal washers . It has become apparent that the washers specified in this MTD are not suitable to replace the plastic washers due to their dimensions. MTD-04-2025 Issue 2 has been raised in order to amend the specification of the metal washers that must used to replace plastic washers. Therefore, MTD-04-2025 Issue 2 supersedes Issue 1. Issue 1 of this MTD is now cancelled. Please refer to the attached MTD document for full details and compliance instructions, which can also be found on the LAA website HERE . MTD-04-2025 - Rans Rod End Washers - Issue 2 .pdf Download PDF • 293KB Next Previous

< Back Engineering updates in March 1 Apr 2026 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during March. Technical Leaflets : TL 3.25 'Flight test briefing' TADS: Sling 2 Sling 4 Sling 4 TSi Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Steve Hodge 4 Apr 2024 The LAA is pleased to welcome Steve Hodge as a new LAA Inspector. Steve came to an Assessment Day at LAA HQ at the start of March. Steve has been part of the aviation trade since 1997, when he joined Arrow Aviation Services as a trainee. He pretty much learnt his entire trade there and was very fortunate to have worked with a wide variety of components from engines and propellers, to wheels and brakes, with a lot of vintage aviation thrown in too. His is now as Owner and Accountable Manager of his own company, SOAR Aviation, a CAA Part 145 approved facility. He continues to provide the aviation industry with what he hopes is thought of as an honest, reliable, friendly and cost-effective service. He has always been involved with the LAA and enjoys serving the LAA community. Next Previous

Flight Testing Aircraft The following current flight test schedules are available for printing. These schedules are subject to change at any time and without notice. Ensure that the current flight test schedule is used otherwise it may not be accepted. For this reason it is not advisable to save these document on your computer. Flight Testing Forms & Schedules Other useful documentation is as follows: TL 1.19 Initial Testing Flying Pilot Briefing for First Flight TL 2.00 Revalidating a Permit to Fly CAP 1038 CAA Check Flight Handbook TL 3.19 Auto-Pilot Flight Test Notes TL 3.22 Flight Test Reports TL 3.23 Constant Speed Prop Set-Up TL 3.25 General notes and limitations on test flights Airpseed Indicator Calibration Climb-Performance Plotter FAA Flight Testing Handbook