LAA Member Discounts

Light Aviation Magazine 2020 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2020 January 2020 April 2020 July 2020 October 2020 February 2020 May 2020 August 2020 November 2020 March 2020 June 2020 September 2020 December 2020

This year's event will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the LAA and feature a static display of aircraft representing the LAA fleet over the years. The 2026 LAA Rally will take place at Leicester Airfield over the three days Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September. We are excited to be working again with Leicestershire Aero Club to host the event at Leicester Airfield. The weekend will focus on the fly-in and social elements of our annual event; provide the opportunity to see a wide range of exhibitors, hear from industry experts in our Speakers Corner programme of talks, get hands-on skills experience in the Homebuilders marquee; meet our LAA team, purchase LAA merchandise and relax in the Struts & Clubs stand. Visit our exhibition marquee which provides for a series of marquees housing all the LAA activities; indoor exhibitor space and our homebuilders exhibits. Outside provides the space for larger displays and we will look forward to showcasing manufacturers and distributors of a wide range of the latest aircraft types from across the LAA fleet. The Speakers Corner marquee, will host a varied programme of talks throughout the weekend, including an open Q&A session each day with CEO, Simon Tilling. Members will have free access to the aircraft park, with access available at an additional charge to non-members enabling everyone to get up close to inspect the wide range of aircraft attending the Rally. The exhibition site will host a wide selection of food choices, a full bar and ice cream van during the daytime whilst evening entertainment, food and bar will be provided by Leicestershire Aero Club. There will be free car parking and on site campsite. We look forward to seeing you at Leicester! Introduction

LAA Clubs & Struts FIND MY LOCAL CLUB/STRUT Local Clubs, or Struts, as many of them are called, look forward to welcoming you along as a friend and fellow LAA member. They are an excellent source of advice and help, whether building, buying, training or simply wanting to be involved in the local aviation scene. The Clubs and Struts also arrange a number of flying and social events throughout the year, and most hold monthly meetings. LAA TYPE CL UBS You can also find details of LAA-Type clubs by clicking the icon below. These clubs are associated to the LAA and are dedicated to a specific aircraft manufacturer or model. They can offer social activities and technical support for owners or those interested in a particular type.

Light Aviation Magazine 2024 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2024 January 2024 April 2024 July 2024 October 2024 February 2024 May 2024 August 2024 November 2024 March 2024 June 2024 September 2024 December 2024

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.

What does the Pilot Coaching Scheme offer? Licence Revalidation & Renewals LAA Coaches can provide the “one hour with an Instructor ” flight at any time in the second year of your licence revalidation period, and then sign the revalidation if you have already flown the required hours. They all hold UK 'R' examiner privileges, so can also revalidate ratings on UK PPLs and NPPLs once all the requirements have been completed, even if they have not flown with you. All Coaches are allowed to do Renewal Training under the LAA DTO to assist pilots to prepare for their General Skills Test to get their lapsed licence back. Differences Training "Differences Training" requires the acquisition of additional knowledge and training on any appropriate device, or on an aircraft. It requires both ground and flight training and must be endorsed as having been completed by a suitably qualified Flight Instructor or Class Rating Instructor. Features which, when first experienced, require differences training are: Turbo-charged or Super-charged engines Variable pitch and constant speed propellers Tail wheel undercarriage Retractable undercarriage Cabin Pressurisation EFIS Single power lever control (SPLC) Microlights Additionally, for the UK National Private Pilot's Licence (NPPL) SSEA class rating, differences training is required for aircraft with a cruise speed in excess of 140 knots indicated airspeed. Familiarisation Training Before flying any type or variant of aircraft which you’ve not flown before, within the Single-Engine Piston (SEP) class, you must complete "Familiarisation Training". This is the correct modern terminology for what would previously be described as being "Checked Out" on a new type. "Familiarisation Training" requires the acquisition of additional knowledge by one of the following means: Self-study of appropriate material about the aircraft such as the Pilot Operating Handbook, Pilot’s notes, etc Training with a suitably qualified instructor A verbal brief from a pilot already familiar with the type , particularly in the case of a single seat aircraft, With multi seat aircraft, while it may be helpful to fly with another pilot already familiar with the type, pilots should note that only qualified instructors are authorised to provide training, including familiarisation training and this could lead to difficulties if an accident were to occur that was supervised by any pilot other than a qualified instructor. In addition, when first transitioning to flying types or variants of aircraft which include various specific more demanding or unusual features, that he or she has not previously experienced as pilot in command, a pilot must also have differences training with a qualified instructor to teach them to safely deal with the feature or features concerned. Whilst differences training with an instructor is mandatory, we also recommend you include ground and flight training with an instructor as part of your familiarisation training. Type Conversion If you're thinking of buying an aircraft, where do you go for a type conversion? The PCS has coaches who are experienced on a variety of modern and vintage types. Your coach will take you through your conversion until you are competent on type. Licence Migration The PCS can assist you to upgrade your licence to a different type and also add additional ratings e.g. NPPL(M) to NPPL(SSEA) etc. Miscellaneous Although we do offer specific courses, our coaches are available to fly with you for any flying training you may need in your aircraft. This can include revision of, for example: Practice Forced Landings; Circuits; Stalling; Navigation; R/T and more. Whilst we do not, at present, offer ab initio training, a number of our coaches are also fully qualified Flying Instructors and so may be able to assist with any training issues you may have.

Permit Aircraft Electrics - Basic Course Price Member - £224, Non-Member - £244 (includes printed course material) Duration Arrival 09:00. Finish 17:00. < Back About the Course This course provides the theory and practical knowledge to enable the implementation of a basic electrical system in permit aircraft. Although the course necessarily includes a small amount of technical theory; it is only included at a level needed (essentially Ohms Law) to understand how wire sizes, fuses, circuit breakers and other components etc are selected. The basic premise of the introductory course is that the owner/builder already has a circuit diagram to work from (few kit manufacturers provide electrical diagrams, so the course includes details of where such ‘standard’ diagrams may be found). They are not expected to do any design work, but they do need to source the materials and components and build a working, reliable and safe installation. The course explains how to interpret a ‘typical’ permit aircraft electrical systems diagram and for every element, explains how to size, select and source components and then how to practically install them. The course uses a PowerPoint presentation for the theory side, a demonstration electrical panel in the classroom so that attendees can see the various options and good practice for wiring and systems installation and also runs two practical sessions in the LAA workshop which includes practical soldering, wire stripping and connector crimping, cable marking options, use of heat shrink, radio antenna coax connector installation and the correct crimping and installation of typical D Sub connectors used for avionics systems. What this course will try to do is: Introduce and explain the components of a wiring system Help you understand a circuit diagram Give practical experience in wiring techniques Give the knowledge to select and source cables and components Explain failure modes and reliability issues Help you conduct basic fault finding Warn about the ‘gotcha’ areas and the things to look out for What the course will not do is: Turn you into a design engineer Enable you to design an aircraft EWIS Enable you to fault find on an undocumented aircraft installation Solve interference issues Delve into avionics Your Instructor Mark Castle-Smith Dates Date tbc Times Arrival 09:00. Finish 17:00. Duration One day course Venue LAA HQ, Turweston Aerodrome, NN13 5YD Price Member - £224, Non-Member - £244 (includes printed course material) 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**

Permit Aircraft Electrics - Advanced Course Price Member - £224, Non-Member - £244 (includes printed course material) Duration Arrival 09:00. Finish 17:00. < Back About the Course The Basics course covers simple DC theory and concentrates on the practical aspects of installing a basic permit aircraft electrical system. The course explains how to interpret a ‘typical’ permit aircraft electrical systems diagram and for every element, explains how to size, select and source components and then how to practically install them. This Advanced course builds on the Basics course by providing more detail about component selection and options and the use of integrated power management systems within permit aircraft. The course takes the simple systems design introduced in the Basics course and explores options for creating more complex electrical systems including the use of dual and essential system bus bars. The course introduces fault tolerant design considerations, thus allowing attendees to consider safety and fault analysis in their own designs. As a tool for understanding this aspect of the course, it will take an introductory look into the requirements of electrical systems for those wishing to fly their aircraft under IFR. What this course will try to do is: Explain power generation and distribution options in a light aircraft More advanced consisderations into component selection Discuss circuit protection devices and systems Explain failure modes and reliability issues Introduce interference and EMC issues Show correct grounding and screening techniques Provide you with the knowledge to plan an installation and create the necessary documentation Warn about the ‘gotcha’ areas and the things to look out for What the course will not do is: Turn you overnight into an expert Enable you to fault find on an undocumented aircraft installation Delve inside avionics boxes It will be useful, but not essential, for people to have previously attended the Basic course. In order to make the best of this course, if you have not attended the basics course, you will need to understand basic DC theory; Ohms Law and the Power Law. Please note that this course is primarily a classroom based course, as you will already have the practical skills you need, which are covered in the basics course. Your Instructor Mark Castle-Smith Dates Saturday 18 April 2026 Times Arrival 09:00. Finish 17:00. Duration One day course Venue LAA HQ, Turweston Aerodrome, NN13 5YD Price Member - £224, Non-Member - £244 (includes printed course material) 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**

Modifying & Repairing Aircraft One of the main features of the LAA system is that modifications and repairs can be approved with significantly reduced costs compared with aircraft on Certificates of Airworthiness, where applicants would need to deal with the CAA or EASA. Since the engineering team are all ‘little aircraft’ experts, it is usually a straight-forward job to approve many types of change. Of course, with many of our members being so creative, sometimes the job takes a little more time and thought to approve! View current mod/repair application queue Modifcation Type Description Further Details Application Form Application Fee Category Changes Applications to change an aircraft’s category from a microlight to a ‘Group A’ aircraft (and vice versa) are allocated a modification number to record the change. If an engine or propeller change is required at the same time, then an application must be made as noted above. N/A LAA/ MOD 10 £206 Engine & Propeller Changes These are treated as Prototype or Repeat modifications, unless they appear on the PTL list for the type. Technical Leaflet TL 3.02 LAA/MOD 4 and LAA/MOD 5 * See below Avionics Installations These are not considered modifications, but in order to fulfil their legal obligations, owners are required to keep LAA up-to-date should radio details alter. A special system exists for the approval of radio changes that is separate from other modifications. Technical Leaflet TL 3.03 LAA/MOD 7 No charge for radio/transponder installations, but a £31 fee is chargeable for certified ADS-B Out applications STCs Where a change has previously been approved by means of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), an LAA Inspector can sign off the change. Technical Leaflet TL 3.29 N/A N/A The Trivial Change Sometimes a change is so trivial that no application is required and there is no need to inform the Engineering department. Technical Leaflet TL 3.10 N/A N/A Manufacturers' Modifications Kit manufacturers and plans suppliers often have long lists of optional modifications that can be fitted and during the lifetime of a type product improvements are introduced. Generally, LAA-accepted optional items are listed on the TADS for the type. N/A N/A N/A The Standard Modification This is a modification that is very well defined and is applicable to a particular aircraft or engine type or types. Members may nominate new Standard Modifications using form LAA/MOD 9; however, LAA Engineering may choose to convert popular Repeat modifications into Standard Modifications. Technical Leaflet TL 3.06 LAA/MOD 1 Variable, see individual mods for details The Repeat Modification A modification that has already been approved on one aircraft as a Prototype modification. Note that a Repeat modification must identically replicate the original Prototype modification including fasteners and positions of parts and should generally be on the same aircraft type as the original. Technical Leaflet TL 3.07 and TL 3.17 LAA/MOD 11 * See below The Prototype ("normal") Modification This is a normal modification application made in the usual way and is applicable only to the aircraft for which the application is made. Technical Leaflet TL 3.01 LAA/MOD 2 and LAA/MOD3 * See below * All prototype modifications (including engine and propeller changes) attract a minimum fee of £103 which covers up to two hours' work; all repeat modifications (including engine and propeller changes) attract a minimum fee of £52 which covers up to one hour's work. Thereafter, work is charged at £57/hour in either case. See the relevant Technical Leaflet for the type of modification for further details. To access the Technical Leaflets, MOD forms and Standard Modifications described above, click one of the buttons below: Technical Leaflets on Modifications & Repairs LAA MOD Forms Standard Modifications

Flying into Leicester If you intend to fly into the LAA Rally at Leicester, you will need to book an arrival slot. These will be available via Eventbrite nearer the time. Should you wish to fly-in on more than one day a separate slot will be required for each landing. Arrival and Departure Procedures The Pilot Notes for the LAA Rally at Leicester Fri 4th September -Sun 6th September will available nearer the time. The slot booking system will be live soon. Slot bookings can be booked and purchased via the Eventbrite website. Please ensur e that you are familiar with the procedures before flight. Please also note the RAT in force for the Victory airshow at Cosby approximately 7.5m SW of Leicester airfield and plan your approach to and departure from the Rally accordingly. For any pilot booked-in for the Thursday normal aerodrome procedures apply. Leicester will have copy of your slot booking. One landing fee of £10.00 (+ booking fee) covers a single landing and aircraft parking of up to three days and camping by your aircraft. Pilots and accompanying passengers will also need to purchase individual entry tickets via the LAA Shop to gain access to the Rally and exhibition site.

Membership Full Plus Category is for members who own, operate or are currently building an aircraft and gives access to LAA Engineering services. (For Group Owned aircraft, at least one member of the group must have Full Plus membership.) Full Category is for everyone else and includes a monthly copy of Light Aviation Magazine and a discount at the annual LAA Fly-In. JOIN THE LAA Member Full - £75 Full Plus - £117 Member Joint Full - £85 Full Plus - £139 Joint members are members who are the partner of a full member or any children under the age of 18 and living at the family house. Under 30 Member Full - £31 Full Plus - £139 Please forward proof of DOB i.e. copy of passport, driving licence or pilots licence. Overseas Member Full - £91 Full Plus - £139 Overseas includes Ireland. Payment Methods ONLINE Via the Member Area / Renew my Membership DIRECT DEBIT You are now able to set up your direct debit online. Please see your renewal or joining page for details. BY CALLING HQ 01280 846 786 with card details NOTE: Permit Revalidation payments are taken ONLINE only through the Permit Revalidation online system BY INTERNET BANKING Please ensure you pay the correct fees for 2026 Account No : 26225220 Sort Code : 60-30-03 Please note, for membership payments, you MUST quote your membership number and your surname or your payment will not be credited to the correct record. For Permit revalidation & engineering fees, you MUST quote your aircraft registration. If paying from abroad, SWIFT code is : NWBKGB2L IBAN code is : GB81 NWBK 6030 0326225220 Important Links RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP MY AIRCRAFT DETAILS MEMBER AREA ADDRESS CHANGE