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< Back New LAA Inspector - Tom Bootyman 20 Jun 2024 We are pleased to welcome Tom Bootyman as an LAA Inspector. Tom attended an Assessment Day at LAA HQ at the start of June. Tom is a serial aircraft builder/maintainer/repairer, also with several years’ experience as an engineer with a global aerobatic team. He has experience building and repairing Zenair and Vans RV types, along with working on many aerobatic aircraft. He is also an experienced aircraft painter. Tom has a love and devotion to all things aviation, so he is always open to requests for information, advice and Permit inspections. He is based at Netherthorpe (Sheffield), but willing to travel. Next Previous

< Back Rally Entrance Tickets, Airside Passes and Camping Permits on Sale!! 18 Jul 2025 Entry Tickets and Airside Passes now on sale via the LAA Shop . Landing slots will be available soon. We have a special offer for non members - £50 for all 3 days including Airside. Available for purchase until 31st July 2025 Next Previous

< Back Engineering Employment Opportunity - Design Verification Engineer 26 Jun 2026 We have a vacancy for an Engineer to be part of the LAA team based at Turweston. The successful applicant will be responsible for evaluating and approving designs for the LAA-administered fleet of aircraft. Main duties will include the review and approval of modifications and repairs applied for by our members across our fleet of nearly 3,000 aircraft covering over 500 types. It will also include investigating new aircraft designs against appropriate airworthiness codes, and reviewing applications for new examples of existing types. This will involve working closely with members, manufacturers, LAA Inspectors and engineers in the LAA design and airworthiness teams, as well as providing technical assistance to LAA members. Ideal applicants will demonstrate experience in all aspects of general aviation design and airworthiness, including a knowledge of airframes, engines and aircraft systems. Adding to the team’s knowledge of modern materials, alternative powerplants, avionics and flight testing would be advantageous, helping to move the LAA into the future. Applicants should have a relevant engineering degree (or equivalent qualification/experience) and an understanding of materials and structural analysis, although the use of finite element analysis or CAD is not a day-to-day part of the role. 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. This is a full-time post, mainly based at LAA HQ but with potential for hybrid/remote working and site visits. Salary £35k-£60k, dependent on experience. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK – we are unable to offer Visa Sponsorship for this role. Send your CV to [email protected] , and fly high with LAA. 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

< Back Alert A-09-2025 - Hairline Cracking in Woodcomp Klassic Propeller Blades 19 Aug 2025 Alert A-09-2025 - Hairline Cracking in Woodcomp Klassic Propeller Blades LAA Alert A-09-2025 has been published on the LAA website (and is also attached), highlighting reports of Woodcomp Klassic blades found with hairline cracks in the blade’s surfaces, running chordwise, usually outboard of about 30% radius. The Alert described actions for Owners to take if such cracks are found and to contact LAA Engineering. A-09-2025 - Woodcomp Klassic Propeller Blades issue 1 .pdf Download PDF • 205KB Next Previous

< Back New Technical Leaflet – Parts Produced by Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) 2 Jul 2026 Technical Leaflet 3.30 – Parts Produced by Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) This new Technical Leaflet provides guidance on the use of additively manufactured (3D-printed) parts in LAA aircraft. It draws on lessons identified during an AAIB investigation and highlights the importance of selecting appropriate materials and manufacturing processes, particularly for airworthiness-critical and environmentally demanding applications. The leaflet explains why the properties of 3D-printed components cannot be assumed from material names alone and outlines the key characteristics that should be considered when assessing the suitability of printed parts, including material composition, manufacturing process, key process parameters, and build orientation. It also reminds builders to declare significant modifications involving 3D-printed parts to LAA Engineering for technical assessment. Please take the time to read the TL3.30 HERE (or below) and refer to it when considering the use of 3D-printed parts in aircraft construction or modification. TL 3.30 Parts produced via Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) .pdf Download PDF • 122KB Next Previous

< Back Alert A-08-2025 - Gen 4 Jabiru 3300 Engine Crankshafts 25 Jul 2025 LAA Alert A-08-2025 - Gen 4 Jabiru 3300 Engine Crankshafts On 11.4.25, Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd issued a new Service Bulletin, JSB 046, which applies to specific Jabiru 3300 engines and requires the replacement of the crankshafts on engines within certain serial number ranges, which they state were supplied between April 2017 and June 2024. Jabiru regards the Bulletin as mandatory. The Bulletin advises that Jabiru has identified that, as a result of an issue with heat treatment, crankshafts supplied with the affected engines are in some cases susceptible to failure. Jabiru have specified that the crankshaft must be replaced by a crankshaft of the later, improved design. Affected crankshafts must be replaced prior to 15th December 2026, or 150 hours total time in service (TTIS), whichever occurs later. A-08-2024 can be found HERE and is also shown below. A-08-2025 - Gen 4 Jabiru 3300 Engine Crankshafts .pdf Download PDF • 202KB Next Previous

< Back Alert A-06-2025 - Christen Eagle II Canopy Detachment 12 Jun 2025 LAA Alert A-06-2025 - Christen Eagle II Canopy Detachment LAA Alert A-06-2025 has been published on the LAA website (and is also attached), highlighting a recent Christen Eagle II Canopy detachment in flight due to damage of the canopy locking pin brackets, which were bent as a result of draught excluding foam being installed at the front edge of the canopy, placing excessive force on these brackets, so that they deformed. A-06-2025 - Christen Eagle II Canopy Detachment .pdf Download PDF • 474KB Next Previous

< 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 - Mark Wilkinson 15 Aug 2025 We are pleased to welcome Mark Wilkinson as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Mark’s aviation career began with 11 years of service in the Royal Air Force, where he initially worked on the Bulldog and Chipmunk aircraft before progressing to the Tornado. Following his military service, Mark spent 25 years in commercial aviation, working primarily on large passenger aircraft - focusing on turboprops and regional jets. This period included a three-year relocation to France, where he was responsible for supporting a BAE146 aircraft. Mark then dedicated eight years to the initial setup and maintenance of the A400M program, before taking on a role maintaining the Grob Tutor aircraft - bringing his career full circle back to light aviation. From his early days working on the Bulldog, he has always had a genuine passion for light aviation. Mark would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the light aviation community, offering support and advice wherever he can. Next Previous

Continuing Airworthiness Information One of the key strengths of the LAA's system is that we can monitor the fleet centrally and keep track of airworthiness incidents from around the world. Where necessary, we can then let our owners know, to help them keep flying safely. A full listing of Airworthiness Alerts, Technical Service Bulletins and Mandatory Technical Directives can be found below: ALERTS, TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS & MANDATORY TECHNICAL DIRECTIVES

< Back uAVionix AV30E approved as a back-up EFIS 8 Jun 2023 We've recently added the uAvionix AV30E to our list of approved backup EFIS units for use in Permit aircraft. The EFIS units listed in TL3.20 may be used without further reference to LAA Engineering, although your LAA inspector will need to make a Permit Maintenance Release (PMR) entry in the airframe logbook quoting this Technical Leaflet reference. Next Previous