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< Back MTD-06-2025 - Europa Tailplane Torque Tube Mod Failure - Issue 2 2 Jul 2026 MTD-06-2025 - Europa Tailplane Torque Tube Mod Failure - Issue 2 This Mandatory Technical Directive supersedes MTD-06-2025 Issue 1, which was issued on 16 th December 2025. Issue 2 of this Mandatory Technical Directive was developed through consultation with all Inspectors and Europa Owners, so thank you to all those who contributed to the consultation process. This directive applies to all Europa aircraft. Owners are required to identify the tailplane torque tube configuration, determine whether clamps are fitted (and which version), and carry out the applicable inspection and any required corrective actions. Where required, initial compliance must be completed within 5 flying hours from the effective date of the MTD. Please refer to the MTD-06-2025 Issue 2 document for full identification guidance and compliance requirements HERE and is also available below. MTD-06-2025 - Europa Tailplane Torque Tube Mod Failure - Issue 2 .pdf Download PDF • 897KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Stuart Porter 15 Nov 2024 The LAA is pleased to welcome Stuart Porter as a new LAA Inspector. Stuart attended an Assessment Day at LAA HQ in September. Stuart spent considerable time as an aircraft panel beater fitter and has a love for all things aviation. Stuart is a multiple aircraft builder, painter and maintainer. He is open to requests for information, advice and permit inspections. Stuart is currently the Manager at a sheet metal specialists workshop. He is based in the Northwest of Northern Ireland, but willing to travel. Well done Stuart! 🎉 Next Previous

< 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 Mandatory Technical Directive issued for Chipmunk aircraft 24 May 2024 Mandatory Technical Directive, MTD-04-2024 has been issued by our Head of Airworthiness, Nick Stone, today to introduce mandatory recurring inspections of the flap operating cables following a recent potentially serious incident where one of the flap cables on a Chipmunk failed in flight, leading to an asymmetric flap configuration. The MTD allows a 5 flying hour period of grace before the inspection must be carried out and is being emailed today to all owners of LAA Chipmunks and all LAA Inspectors approved to inspect Chipmunks. Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - James Coyne-Downhill 15 Sept 2025 We are pleased to welcome James Coyne-Downhill as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. James started flying at the age of 14 with the Air Cadets, flew solo on his 16th birthday, and earned his Private Pilot’s Licence at 18. By day, he works on Dassault Falcon 20 business jets as part of a base maintenance team, following an aircraft engineering apprenticeship at Cobham. Outside of work, he enjoys flying and maintaining Luscombe 8As. Next Previous

< Back LAA host British Young Pilots 19 Feb 2026 The LAA is happy to support British Young Pilot's Weekend Club at LAA HQ, Turweston Aerodrome. More details about these events can be found below: BYP .png Download PNG • 2.87MB Weekend Club Turweston .pdf Download PDF • 688KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Factory-Built Gyroplane Inspector - Kevin Whitehead 3 Apr 2026 We are pleased to welcome Kevin Whitehead as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Kevin joins us as an LAA Factory-Built Gyroplane Inspector based in Scotland, further strengthening our support for members and aircraft owners in the region. In his role, Kevin will carry out maintenance and repairs, conduct permit renewal inspections, and provide recommendations to help ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of LAA aircraft. We are delighted to have Kevin on board and look forward to his contribution to the LAA community. Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Ian Pattingale 6 Feb 2024 It is time to introduce you to the final new LAA Inspector from the recent batch of LAA Inspector Assessment Days - Ian Pattingale. Ian spent 9 years in the RAF as a propulsion technician, after a brief spell as a Development Engineer. He then spent the following 30 years at British Airways in various roles from aircraft Technical Instructor to B737 Flight Test Engineer. His current job is as an Engineer in London Heathrow Engineering Operations, where we are responsible for providing serviceable aircraft to support the flying programme. He's a keen glider pilot with a current 'Full Cat' instructor rating, as well as a 'Senior Inspector/Chief Engineer (ARC Signatory)' on wood, composite and metal airframes for gliders. In addition, he's a B1 Licensed, with current B777 ratings . As a member of the Vintage Gliding Club, Ian is keen to promote the continuing airworthiness of 'vintage' glider types - a current project that I am working on is the restoration of a 1976 Schleicher ASK18 to a fully airworthy flying condition. Next Previous

< Back MTD-07-2026 Issue 4 – Van’s RV Horizontal Stabiliser Attachment Bolts 12 Oct 2026 Mandatory Technical Directive MTD-07-2026 Issue 4 and Van’s Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 00134 Revision 2.2 MTD-07-2026 Issue 4 provides additional guidance on assessing deviations from the designed shape and position of the notches in the HS-714 flange, including clarification of when the position of a bolt hole relative to a notch requires additional repetitive inspections. It also corrects the socket size specified for identifying AN3 bolts from 7/16-inch to 3/8-inch AF. What action is required? Aircraft previously inspected under Issue 1 or 2: Check the bolt sizes and HS-714 notches in accordance with Issue 4 and complete the relevant entries in Appendix A. Aircraft already inspected and found satisfactory under Issue 3: No further action is required. All other applicable aircraft: Carry out the full inspection and measurements specified in SB 00134 Revision 2.2 and complete Appendix A. Please refer to the documents below for full details of the inspection requirements and compliance timescales. 20261012 - MTD-07-2026 - Vans Horizontal Stabiliser Iss 4 .pdf Download PDF • 519KB SB-00134-Horizontal-Stabilizer-Forward-Attach-Bolts-R2.2 2 .pdf Download PDF • 1.80MB Next Previous

< Back MTD-07-2026 Issue 3 - Vans Horizontal Stabiliser Forward Attach Bolt Position 24 Sept 2026 MTD-07-2026 Issue 3 & Van’s SB-00134 Revision 2.2 LAA has now issued MTD-07-2026 Issue 3 to reflect and approve the requirements contained within the revised service bulletin in their entirety, and to include a revised table in Appendix A which, used in conjunction with Van’s narrative and flowchart, helps clarify the requirements, as well as providing a means of recording the results. Please note, whilst compliance with Issue 1 of the MTD meant that compliance with Issue 2 was automatically achieved, the same is not true of Issue 3, since it introduces three extra requirements not present in the previous issues. These are: a requirement to contact Vans and the LAA if any of the four bolts concerned are anything but AN3 size a requirement to measure the extent of the relief notch in the HS-714 component to ensure that it is not too long a requirement to check that the relief notch in HS-714 does not contain any stress raisers. This means that it is mandatory to check your aircraft against Issue 3 of the MTD, even if it has already been shown compliant with issues 1 or 2. Next Steps 1. Have the aircraft inspected in accordance with MTD-07-2026 Issue 3 and SB-00134 Revision 2.2. If you have already made measurements following previous issues of the MTD, you should be able to copy them across to the table in Appendix A on the MTD at Issue 3. 2. Hopefully, your aircraft will be found to be free from cracks and compliant with the requirements of the MTD at Issue 3, either as currently configured or by following any corrective actions specified in the MTD under the supervision of your Inspector. 3. A suitable logbook entry, signed by your Inspector, will then enable the aircraft to be returned to flight. The logbook entry must describe the completion of the procedures required by the MTD at Issue 3, and where applicable, the results of any special inspections carried out, and amendments to the aircraft maintenance programme. 4. If, in order to comply with MTD-07-2026 at Issue 3, you need to instigate repetitive inspections or fit washer plates, please provide LAA Engineering with copies of: The signed logbook entry, including a description of carrying out the checks IAW the MTD Issue 3 and the results of any special inspections carried out as described in the MTD-07-2026 and the associated SB-00134 Revision 2.2. The completed Appendix A checklist from MTD-07-2026 Issue 3; and Where applicable, the revised maintenance schedule. 5. If, on the other hand, your Inspector determines that the aircraft does not comply with the requirements of MTD-07-2026 Issue 3, please contact us so that we can work with you and Van's Aircraft to identify a suitable solution. Please include a copy of the completed Appendix A checklist and, if not already provided, photographs of the relevant areas. In this case, the aircraft must not be flown until a solution is identified, approved by LAA HQ and implemented under your Inspector’s guidance. We are hopeful that, following the process outlined above and compliance with the new requirements contained within MTD-07-2026 Issue 3, your aircraft can either remain in service uninterrupted or otherwise, be promptly returned to flight. Please refer to the LAA MTD-07-2026 Issue 3, together with Van’s SB-00134 Revision 2.2, for full inspection guidance, identification requirements and compliance actions below: 20260924 - MTD-07-2026 - Vans Horizontal Stabiliser Iss 3 .pdf Download PDF • 529KB SB-00134-Horizontal-Stabilizer-Forward-Attach-Bolts-R2.2 1 .pdf Download PDF • 1.80MB Next Previous

< Back Winner Announced: LAA 80th Anniversary Rally Poster 6 Mar 2026 The winner of the 80th Anniversary Rally Poster Competition has been selected, and we’re delighted to reveal the official design that will represent this milestone year for the Light Aircraft Association. Congratulations to Amy Whitewick, whose striking design was chosen to mark 80 years of grassroots aviation, engineering excellence and community spirit! A Design That Captures 80 Years... The judging panel selected the artwork for its strong visual impact, clear celebration of the LAA, and its versatility across print and digital formats. The design reflects both the history of the Association and the forward-looking spirit that continues to define it today. Speaking about the win, Amy Whitewick said: "I'm so excited to win the LAA Rally Poster Competition for the 80th Anniversary, 2026 - my vision for the design was to create something that reflected the colours and styles that I love from posters of the 1930s, the Golden Age of aviation. I also wanted the poster to reflect the excitement and joy of current light aviation, including the portrayal of various aircraft types throughout the 80 years and embody the party-like spirit of this year's special rally. I felt this poster gives back all the joy and kindness that fellow LAA Members, Inspectors and Engineers have given me over the years. It's really a big thank you to them, my airfield 'family', who helped me achieve my wings and continue to encourage me to grow my skills."- Amy Whitewick, G-DHYS From Poster to Rally Branding The winning artwork will now be rolled out to support the promotion of the 2026 Rally! You’ll start seeing the design appear across LAA channels in the coming weeks as we build momentum towards the Rally. Thank You to All Entrants We’d like to thank everyone who submitted entries. The quality and creativity on display made judging a difficult task and demonstrated the depth of talent within the LAA community. We look forward to seeing the winning poster proudly displayed at the 80th Anniversary Rally.Rally details and ticket information will be shared with you in the coming months. LAA 80 Poster 2026 A4 .jpg Download JPG • 1.83MB Amy Whitewick - Photo .jpg Download JPG • 350KB Next Previous

< Back Alert A-07-2025 - Glastar Aileron Servo-Tab Pushrod Cracking 25 Jul 2025 LAA Alert A-07-2025 - Glastar Aileron Servo-Tab Pushrod Cracking A cracked aileron servo-tab pushrod was found on a UK Glastar aircraft. The pushrod consists of a thin-walled aluminium tube with an adjustable clevis at one end, and a fixed clevis at the other. The crack was at the adjustable end of the pushrod, and extended from the end of the aluminium tube to the hole approximately 1 inch from the end. A cracked aileron servo-tab pushrod must be considered unairworthy, and replaced before further flight. A-07-2024 can be found HERE and is also attached. A-07-2025 - Glastar Aileron Servo-Tab Pushrod Cracking .pdf Download PDF • 562KB Next Previous