< Back Engineering updates in April 7 May 2026 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during April. Continuing airworthiness information : MTD-01-2026 - Shadow Oratex disbonding MTD-03-2026 - NSI CAP 140 propeller cracking TADS : Eurostar NSI propellers (new) Vedeneyev M14P/M14PF engines (new) Technical Leaflets : TL 2.22 - Non-type specfic MPDs Propeller type list, PTL/1 : CFM Streak Shadow SA Next Previous

< Back MTD-05-2025 Issue 2 published - Eurofox Rudder Pedals 5 Dec 2025 MTD-05-2025 Issue 2 has been published to provide further information on the situation as it develops and asking Owners and Inspectors to report back. The inspection schedule in unchanged from Issue 1. Therefore, Issue 2 does not require you or your Inspector to do anything different. If your aircraft has already been inspected to MTD-05-2025 Issue 1, then the next time an inspection in accordance with the MTD is due, you Inspector should reference Issue 2 in their logbook entry. LAA is continuing to work towards achieving a permanent solution via a modification to the rudder pedal/torque tube design. MTD-05-2025 Issue 2 is attached below and can be found on the website HERE . MTD-05-2025 - Eurofox Rudder Pedal Cracking Issue 2 .pdf Download PDF • 574KB Next Previous

LAS will once again be Sponsoring our Homebuilders Tent Entrance Fees All fly-in slot bookings for the event will be available via Eventbrite booking system. These will be available soon! Member and public entrance tickets can be bought in advance via the LAA Shop. There is free car parking and provision for disabled parking on site. For those arriving by road, Leicester Airfield is easily reached from the north and southwest via J21 on the M1; A563 Sth Leicester Bypass to B582 Gartree Road. Routes from the East and South East via A47 and A6. No dogs are allowed airside BY AIR One landing fee of £10.00 covers a single landing and stay of up to three days and camping by your aircraft. Pilots and accompanying passengers will also need to purchase individual entry tickets to the Rally - available via the LAA Shop . If flying in, you will need to book a slot. PLEASE NOTE ANY FURTHER LANDINGS WILL BE CHARGED. (Local evening flying will be available and not charged) Members : INCLUDES AIRSIDE ACCESS £20 (for all 3 days) LAA, BMAA and BRA members - Please bring proof of membership by way of showing your receipt or mobile phone with membership details. Non-Members £20 for One Day Ticket (does not include airside access) Special Offer!!! Non Member Three Day Ticket (including airside access) for £50. This offer is available until 31st July 2026. Non-Members AIRSIDE ACCESS £15 for One Day Ticket Children 16 and under go free.

< Back New Permit Revalidation System Announcement 20 Mar 2025 The new Permit Revalidation System is coming on 15th April - watch the announcement video below to find out more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO-XPiiNxjg Next Previous

LAA Staff CEO Simon Tilling Chief Executive Officer An enthusiastic and experienced private pilot, Simon Tilling has been flying for 10 years. In his words, “my wife bought me a trial flying lesson for my birthday. I went for the flight which was at Old Sarum, and that was it. I was hooked and it was ‘love at first flight’ you might say.” He has owned a wide variety of light aircraft in the years since, including a number of LAA types. A keen air-racer, Simon is also a former British Air Racing champion and from 2020 to 2022, was the chairman of the Royal Aero Club ‘3Rs’ committee for Races, Records and Rallies, during which time he regenerated the appeal of airracing to new participants. He currently enjoys flying his 1942 Taylorcraft Plus D/AOP 1, and a North American Navion. Simon also enjoys restoring 1970’s motorcycles and collects Airfix kits from his childhood. Simon began his career working in the telecoms industry, before eventually moving to a role as a services manager for Dell Computers, where he eventually became VP for services for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Upon leaving Dell, Simon helped run an outsourcing company before then becoming a contractor. In this role, he spent 10 years being parachuted in to companies to fix customer service issues, working on transformation projects, and rolling out new software implementation. Simon took over as the Light Aircraft Association’s Chief Executive in April 2023. Our Engineering Team Jon Viner Jon joined the LAA in 2008 as Deputy Chief Engineer, becoming Chief Technical Officer in 2022. Prior to the LAA, Jon was the Chief Technical Officer at the British Microlight Aircraft Assocation, where he learnt to fly flexwings. Before that, he began his career at British Aerospace at Filton (later Airbus UK) as an undergraduate/graduate apprentice and then as an Airworthiness Engineer on A330/A340 projects. Jon has a MEng in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Southampton University, is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and is a Chartered Engineer. Jon manages and oversees the Engineering Team. MEng CEng FRAeS Chief Technical Officer Lucy Wootton Lucy joined the LAA as Chief Inspector in August 2022. She has an MEng (Hons) in Aeronautical Engineering from Loughborough University. Previously, she had worked for Rolls-Royce and as an Aircraft Structural Repair Design Engineer. She has been a BGA Glider Inspector since 2014 and is an ARC Signatory. She holds a CAA Part 66 L Engineer's Licence. Lucy began gliding in 2010 and is a Flight Instructor (Sailplanes). She is a BGA Board Member. In 2016, Lucy started power flying. She holds both a PPL(A) and an NPPL(A) and flies the tug at her gliding club - a Supermunk (Chipmunk modified). In November 2024, Lucy took on additional responsibility as Head of Continuing Airworthiness, with one of the key areas being the Permit to Fly revalidation system. MEng(Hons) DIS DipHE MRAeS Head of Continuing Airworthiness & Inspection (Chief Inspector) Ben Syson Ben came to the LAA after spending 13 years working in the Technical Office at the British Microlight Aircraft Assocation (BMAA) and 11 years as BMAA Chief Technical Officer. His interest in aviation was spawned as a youngster reading Biggles books, and then seeing the Edwardian and WW1 aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection. After graduating from Southampton University with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, he gained his PPL on weight-shift control Microlights. He now owns and flies a Pietenpol Air Camper. Ben’s favourite engineering area is aeroplane loads and structural analysis, and he enjoys dealing with the wide variety of different aircraft construction types in the LAA fleet. BEng(Hons) Head of Design Andy Draper Andy’s aviation interest stems from his Dad. The closest he came to flying was making model aircraft until a BAC apprenticeship enabled him to afford gliding lessons. After his apprenticeship, Andy worked in BAe’s production development department, specialising in non-metallic materials, which meant mostly working with glass, carbon and aramid fibres. This led to co-building and flying a Rutan Long-EZ. He then worked with composites in Milan, before returning to the UK to get his CPL and instructor ratings. He later worked for Europa Aircraft, heading up the technical team. In 2006, Andy joined the PFA/LAA as a Design Engineer, mostly investigating mods and repair applications and conducting check/test flights. Head of Flight Test Fiona Storer Fiona has over 30 years administration experience. She joined the Light Aircraft Association at the beginning of January 2009 and lives locally. Fiona started her career as an Office Junior on YTS (Youth Training Scheme) at 16. She has worked in various admin roles including book keeping, being Personal Assistant to the Managing Director of a Manufacturing Company and Office Manager/Personal Assistant to a specialist building firm. At the Light Aircraft Association, Fiona deals with telephone enquiries, paperwork relating to projects and first issues, modification, repairs, permits and process tracking, liaises closely with the CAA and deals with all general engineering secretarial and admin duties. . Engineering Administrator Miti Ghosh Miti’s interest in aviation sparked from the day she first sat on a plane that took her through her journey of building UAVs and other rotorcrafts to forming clubs promoting drone making and flying during her college days. Miti joined LAA as a Design Engineer in April 2023. She deals with the modifications, and repairs of most of the LAA fleet’s light aircraft including the first issues of the new home builds. Prior to the LAA, she worked in an eVTOL startup named Volador Flytech as an Aerospace Structures Engineer. Miti moved to England in 2021, this is when she completed her Master of Science in Aerospace Vehicle Design from Cranfield University. She also graduated from SRMIST with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. BTech MSc Design Engineer Cris Fernandez Cris knew he wanted a career in aviation from the day he fired up MS Flight Simulator 2004 on his grandfather’s computer. After countless virtual flight hours, Airfix models and RC plane flights, he moved to the UK to obtain a MEng in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bristol. While at university, he grew closer to aviation by flying gliders and eventually gained his PPL on fixed-wing aircraft. He also obtained both British Skydiving and USPA skydiving licenses and led the university’s skydiving club for two years, organising training and jump days for members. Cris began his career at Boeing Defence as a System’s Safety Engineer on the Chinook programme. He joined the LAA in 2023, helping to keep the LAA fleet flying safely. MEng(Hons) Continuing Airworthiness Engineer Michaela Higgs Michaela has more than 15 years of experience in administration and insurance intermediary services. She previously worked as Operations Manager at a UK-based Insurtech company specialising in battery insurance and real-time data analytics for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery energy storage systems (BESS), where she was also a key member of the in-house online platform development team. In 2025, Michaela joined the LAA team and plays a crucial role in supporting the airworthiness team, primarily focusing on the organisation’s network of inspectors. Her responsibilities include tracking inspector applications, maintaining up-to-date records, and organising inspector training. This is a new field for Michaela, which she is embracing with enthusiasm. Airworthiness Coordinator Our Commercial Team Penny Sharpe Office Manager Penny spent most of her life in South America and West Africa before settling back in the UK in the mid 90’s. She joined the LAA in 1996 and as Office Manager her roles vary from overseeing running of the office, H&S and HR to Membership, events, NPPL, meetings, and the Rally. Part of Penny’s role is supporting our members, Struts, Pilot Coaches and the Board. Penny is also part of various LAA working groups. Her previous work varied from being a PA to a Headmaster to volunteering at Tiggywinkles. Penny has a son, a dog, a parrot and keeps tropical fish (in no particular order!). Jo Howard Tues - Thurs Office Administrator Jo joined the LAA in March 2013. She has over 30 years experience in the Secretarial/Admin field. She has previously worked as a PA to a Barrister, for Consultants in the NHS and spent 12 years in the world of education at the University of Southampton and at a Warwickshire Educational Charity. Jo works for both the Commercial and Engineering Departments. She enjoys helping LAA members with their queries and loves organizing the LAA annual rally. She lives locally and is married with two sons. Cheryl Routledge Office Administrator Cheryl has a long and varied working history in administration and office support for international corporates, real estate, training and a large local NHS health centre. She joined the LAA in 2023 and looks forward to meeting and supporting our members going forward. Cheryl moved to England from South Africa with her family, in 2019. She resides near Silverstone circuit and enjoys all things racing related. Cheryl is married and has 2 young adult children. Sheila Hadden Mon - Wed Office Administrator Sheila joined the LAA end of year 2003. She is responsible for the day to day running of the membership database. Her many duties include the general running of the LAA office, dealing with e-mails, as well as classified advertisements for Light Aviation magazine, the LAA Shop, the administration of NPPL and 'LAA Wings' applications, checking all online payments and inputting data into SAGE. Sheila lives locally, has two grown-up children and four young grandchildren. LAA Contractors Francis Donaldson Consultant Engineer Francis was the Chief Engineer for the LAA between 1990 and 2021, and led the Engineering Team during the massive expansion in both size and scope of the LAA fleet over that period. For more than 30 years, Francis was the man who recommended the issues of all Permits to Fly for newly constructed amateur built and restored vintage aircraft, as well as dealing with a great many modifications and repairs and overseeing the continued airworthiness of the LAA fleet. He has flown an example of many of the aircraft types approved by the LAA. Francis continues to support the LAA staff and members as an Engineering Consultant. An experienced homebuilder, restorer and aircraft owner himself, Francis continues to be part of the HQ team, write for the LAA magazine and to help ensure LAA members get the technical support they need to get off the ground safely. Ed Hicks Light Aviation Editor Ed joined the Popular Flying Association (now LAA) in 1992 as a teenager who loved flying, and completed his PPL in 1994. He was LAA Bristol Strut co-ordinator from 1998 to 2003, and has built two homebuilt Permit aircraft, a Van’s RV-6 (2000-2002) and an RV-8 (2012-2019). In 2020 he bought an RV-3B, and when time allows, can be found flying that, or a friend’s Piper Vagabond and RV-6 from Garston Farm and Wadswick airstrip. Working as an aviation photographer since 1996, Ed’s images have been published worldwide in a wide array of sport aviation magazines. Well known in the UK for his work with FLYER Magazine, Ed was Editor for over 100 issues until December 2021, when he made the switch to Editor at large. Following Brian Hope’s retirement from the role in late 2021, Ed took on the role of Editor of Light Aviation magazine for the LAA. Philip Johnston Advertising Sales Manager Phil has worked in advertising sales for over 30 years, he was Advertising Sales Manager on IATA's monthly 'Airlines Magazine' and its website. More recently he was Sales Manager at 'Aviation Business Middle East' where he was based in Dubai. He commented, 'I'm delighted to join the LAA and looking forward to meeting the members & helping companies with their advertising requirments.' He can be contacted on:- +44(0)7770 807035 or [email protected] . Dan Griffith Chief Test Pilot Dan Griffith joined the RAF at 18 and went to London University where he studied Aeronautical Engineering. He learned to fly on Bulldogs and Jet Provosts before gaining his pilot wings on the Hawk. Dan flew Harriers operationally, gaining over 1200 hours. In 1992 he went to the USAF Test Pilot course at Edwards Air Force Base. After Edwards he was posted to the Flight Research site at Bedford and then to Boscombe Down, where his main project was the futuristic fly-by-wire VAAC Harrier developing the next generation of Short Take-off and Vertical Landing aircraft. In 1996, Dan left the military to join the CAA as a civil Test Pilot. He was responsible for the Certification and Continued Airworthiness of aircraft ranging from the Airbus A380 to lighter aircraft, including many LAA types. He left the CAA in March 2007 and now works as an independent test pilot. Christine Carlin Head of Training After gaining my PPL, I obtained my CPL and Instructor rating and began my long and illustrious career as a Flight Instructor. I have now been instructing for over 23 years. I became a Director and the CFI for Sheffield Aero Club in 2004. I later attained my FAA CPL/IR and became a company pilot flying the Beech King Air. I am still an Instructor/Examiner at Netherthorpe. My interest in aviation was born as a young child when , my father being an Aircraft Engineer in the RAF, I spent most of my formative years surrounded by fast jets and going to airshows. I have had the joy to fly many different types of aircraft, including a fair amount of seaplane flying, and the excitement of being involved in the Royal Aero Club air racing as a navigator. Alex Harris National Coach Alex started his flying career in gliders in 2008, having been desperate to start flying since he was a small child flying, going for rides with his father to various fly-ins in a Rollason Condor G-BADM, which his father built! Since then, Alex has accumulated around 1,000 hours of silent flight. Alex became a Chief Flying Instructor, Tug Pilot, Examiner, National Advanced Aerobatic Champion and represented GB in international competitions and the World Aerobatic Championships. Moving into the power world, having come from a PFA then LAA family, Alex completed his ATPL at Stapleford Flight Centre and he is currently operating as a Captain/ Type Rating Instructor on the 737 in the U.K. He has owned and flown a variety of LAA aeroplanes and obtained his Display Authorisation for advanced aerobatics and formation. Nancy Lillington Project Event Manager Growing up close to Leicester Airport gave Nancy her passion for aviation, with a lot of her childhood watching airshows and listening to her Grandmother's stories of life in the RAF, with the Dambusters. Nancy is working towards her PPL and has flown several different aircraft from Piper Cubs to Chipmunks, Tiger Moths, helicopters, microlights and gliders. After graduating, Nancy lived all over the world, including Japan and Germany, working in various roles. These included the iconic Nürburgring, fuelling her passion for motorsport. Nancy has a varied career from a reporter at the Bangor Chronicle, Operational management for a vintage flying company and heading up charity, fundraising, marketing and events management roles. Outside of work, Nancy is a self-confessed adrenaline junkie, foodie and recently climbed Base Camp Everest. LAA Officers & Board of Directors Brian Davies - President Eryl Smith - Director & Chairman Simon Tilling - Director & CEO Alan Crutcher - Director Charlotte Dadswell - Director Paul Kirkham - Director David Millin - Director Peter Pengilly - Director Alistair Seymour - Director Clive Shipley - Director Ian Sweetland - Director

< Back The New Permit Revalidation System 28 Feb 2025 As the weather improves and the days grow longer, the flying season is just around the corner. Although you may already be thinking about all your usual flying preparations, there is one extra exciting update Owners and Inspectors alike should keep in mind this year: the launch of the new Permit Revalidation System. A flow chart of the new Permit Revalidation Process This new system will be fully online, and submission of your revalidation application will be via the LAA website under the “My Aircraft Details” section. Therefore, before arranging for an inspection this year, please make sure you can access your LAA member page. You can do this by going on www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk and clicking on the Login button at the top left of the page and checking that your aircraft details are correct. If you have any issues with your login or aircraft details, please contact the LAA Office on 01280 846 786 or via email at [email protected] Screenshot showing where to login on the LAA website Screenshot showing the ‘My Aircraft Details’ button once you have logged into the LAA website Screenshot showing the button to start apply of your Permit to Fly Revalidation in the ‘My Aircraft Data’ area Applying for revalidation under the new system will be straightforward. Aircraft owners will begin the process by selecting their Inspector. Once selected, the Inspector will be notified that an application is awaiting their attention. After the Inspector submits their airworthiness review, the Owner will be prompted to pay for the revalidation, at which point the application will be sent instantly to LAA Engineering for issue. We are also planning to reduce the requirement for a check flight from one to three years for most aircraft types. However, Inspectors will also have the flexibility to request a check flight as part of the revalidation, if deemed necessary. Additionally, once the new system has launched, Inspectors will be able to issue PFRCs up to two years past the expiry of the Certificate of Validity. Please note, these changes, along with the new check flight cycle, will take effect only once the new system is officially launched. As we get closer to launch in April, more guidance, including a video and notes, will be shared with Owners and Inspectors, ensuring a smooth transition to the new Permit Revalidation System. Stay tuned for more! 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

< Back LAA HQ over the Christmas Period 18 Dec 2023 LAA CHRISTMAS PERIOD Friday 22nd December 2023: Open until 12.00pm 25th Dec 2023 to 1st Jan 2024: CLOSED 2nd January 2024: OPEN as usual Wishing all our members and supporters a blessed Christmas! Next Previous

< Back Employment Opportunity - Advertising, Sales, Marketing and Social Media Manager 30 Nov 2023 The LAA are hiring! Advertising Sales, Marketing and Social Media Manager The Light Aircraft Association supports its members build, maintain, fly and enjoy light aircraft. We have over 7000 members and look after over 4000 aircraft across the UK. We are looking someone to take control of our advertising, sales, marketing and social media. This is a fantastic opportunity for the right person to help define, implement and then deliver the strategy to transform the way the LAA communicates with its 7000-plus members. What you will do:- Work with our advertising partners to ensure they get the best ROI for their advertising spend in our magazine – Light Aviation Work with the Editor to ensure all advertising space is filled Work with the CEO ang HQ team to develop and implement a multichannel communications strategy Grow and manage the LAA’s social media presence What we offer: The chance to make a difference – We are a small team, we are all passionate about aviation and everyone counts! Develop your skills The opportunity to get flying Hybrid working Paid holidays This role would ideally suit someone with a Degree in Business/Business Management with an interest in Sales and Marketing Next Previous

< Back Radio Operators Certificate of Competence 11 Jun 2025 Guidance to holders Next Previous

< 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 Engineering updates in May 5 Jun 2026 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during May. TADS : TL 2000UK Sting Technical Leaflets : TL 1.10 list of parts and materials suppliers TL 2.33 Inspector categories for types Propeller type list, PTL/1 : Jabiru J400 Zenair CH 750 (new) Next Previous