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LAA Courses 2026 An Introduction to Aircraft Flying Qualities This course describes how the design (and construction) of a fixed wing light aircraft may positively or negatively impact flying qualities using a fully immersive Virtual Reality + Motion simulator. Read More Acquiring, Owning and Operating a Europa This is a seminar aimed at recent, current or prospective Europa owners - and will cover the key features, details and advantages of acquiring, owning and operating this, the second most numerous LAA aircraft type. Read More Jabiru Engine Course This course aims to give pilots sufficient knowledge to be confident that their engines are serviceable, inc. detailing common weaknesses & the important Jabiru modifications, primarily focusing on the 4 & 6 cylinder generation 1-3 engines. Read More An Introduction to Permit Aircraft Avionics The course starts with explaining the LAA rules and guidance regarding avionics fit, discusses how to plan and install your avionics (inc. panel design) and explains how modern avionics connect with each other. Read More Aircraft Fabric Covering Course This is a hands-on course so you will be working with the tools and materials required for aircraft covering and learning all the required skills in a fun, interesting and popular workshop. Read More Caring for your Gipsy Major - Basic Course The course will explain the ins and outs of these deHavilland vintage aircraft engines and how to solve those starting difficulties, with comprehensive course notes to take away. Read More Permit Aircraft Electrics - Advanced Course The premise of this course is that it will help the owner/builder create the system design and circuit diagram, including covering electrical theory, failure modes, reliability issues and planning an installation. Read More Permit Aircraft Electrics - Basic Course An introductory course on electrical wiring, featuring minimal electrical theory, instead concentrating on the installation practices with practical wiring experience and fault finding. Read More Aircraft Carpentry Workshop - Basic Course A perfect course for the would-be aircraft builder, who may be nervous about cutting the first piece of spruce, or anyone contemplating repairing a classic wooden aircraft. Read More Air to Ground Radio Operator's Course A course to achieve your Radio Operator's Certificate of Competence (ROCC) in order to operate a Ground Radio Station running AGCS (Air-Ground-Communication-Service). This is not to be confused with a FRTOL. Read More Rotax Fuel Injected 912 iS / 915 iS Installation & Operation A course providing information and advice on installation and operational procedures for Rotax Fuel Injected 912iS/915iS aero engines. This course is run by a Rotax iRMT certified engineer. Read More Rotax Carburetted 912/914 Installation & Operation The course covers everything those who own/operate a carburetted Rotax 912 (UL, ULS and 914 turbocharged) engine need to know about getting the best out of these very popular engines! Read More

< Back New LAA Inspector - Tomas del Carpio 15 Aug 2025 We are pleased to welcome Tomas del Carpio as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Living in the historic village of the former RAF Upper Heyford base, aviation is a part of Tomas’ life even outside of my daily job of restoring and maintaining vintage and modern light aircraft. He has been in the aircraft maintenance industry since 2008 but the age range of aircraft. He has worked on spans more than a century of aviation history. From helping to restore an original AVRO 504 to carrying out advanced composite carbon fibre repairs on a Diamond DA42, his experience covers a broad and diverse spectrum of aircraft types and technologies - both certified and non-certified. Whether it’s performing an engine change on a King Air in the dusty heat of Malta or changing a tyre on a stranded PA-28 in a muddy field in Kent, He has encountered a wide variety of challenges and learned something valuable from each one. Tomas is always happy to help and share his knowledge and experience whether it’s offering technical advice over the phone or getting hands-on with something more involved. Next Previous

Lycoming Lycoming engines in certain specific airframe types have been approved by the CAA for the use of unleaded Mogas, using the process described in CAP747 , See Section 2, Part 4, General Concession 5. This involves purchasing an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) from either the EAA or Petersen Aviation in the USA and carrying out the actions called for by the STC. The procedures stated in CAP747 may be followed for LAA aircraft but only for aircraft with the exact same engine/airframe combinations quoted on in CAP747.. An LAA inspector must check that the aircraft operator has obtained a copy of CAP747, Section 2, Part 4, GC5 and of the appropriate STC and complied with the actions called for therein, and signed off a suitable logbook entry accordingly before the aircraft may be flown with unleaded Mogas.

< Back Rally 2026 Trophy Winners 22 Sept 2026 Best Auster Best Jodel Best Kit Build and Best RV Best Part Complete Homebuild Best Plans Built and Concours Winner Steve Rickett, congratulated by LAA CEO Simon Tilling Best Plans Built and Concours Best Vintage and Best DH Most Meritorious Arrival by Air Roy Mills Best Classic Runner Up Best Kit Build and Runner Up Best RV Runner Up Best Plans Built Next Previous

< Back Telephones 4 Apr 2024 Please note that the LAA phone system is being updated today and currently we are unable to receive any incoming calls. We appreciate the inconvenience this may be causing but we envisage they will only be down for part of the day. Next Previous

We provide a system whereby members can build an aircraft in the comfort of their own home (or wherever they choose) from either a set of plans or from a kit of parts. Every year around 100 newly-constructed aircraft are added to the LAA fleet, with members generally taking around 1 to 4 years to complete their kit projects. A whole range of aircraft is available to build, from single-seaters to four-seaters, aerobatic to amphibian, and WWI replica triplanes to gyroplanes. The LAA is tasked with ensuring that the designs members build meet minimum airworthiness requirements, appropriate to the type. Proposals for accepting other designs of aircraft can be put to the LAA, and a number of such types are accepted each year following a review of their airworthiness, amongst other things. This requires a member to champion the type through the process, arranging for the necessary technical information to be passed to the Engineering department and to build and test the first example. Similarly, it is possible for a member to build an aircraft of their own design. LAA provides support for this (see the Designing aircraft section), but due to limited resources only the most promising/developed designs can be advanced through the system. Building Aircraft One of the founding principles of the LAA is to provide for members wishing to build their own aircraft, either for their own education or to enable them to own an affordable aircraft. Of course, whichever type you choose it is usually possible to customise it to your liking using the LAA’s modification system. So if it’s an elaborate avionics suite that takes your fancy or an automotive engine conversion, there’s a route to investigating whether it’s possible. If you like the idea of building, but feel you lack the skills, then there are courses on various aspects of aircraft building to help bring you up to speed. Your Inspector is also a fantastic mine of information and generally will be your first port of call for technical information. Of course, the LAA also has a pool of full-time engineers who can be contacted for advice. For further information, click the button below for Technical Leaflets covering the Build Process Click here for more information

Aircraft Fabric Covering Course Price Member - £406, Non-Member - £426 Duration 2 day course. Arrival 09:00. Finish 17:00. < Back About the Course Our covering course is presented by Chris and Alex, father and son team who run Aircraft Coverings Ltd., the UK dealer for Consolidated Aircraft Coverings products. This is a hands-on course held over 2 days, not a lecture, so you will be working with the tools and materials, learning the required skills and you will undoubtedly surprise yourself by how quickly you begin to pick things up! The course is held at Aircraft Coverings Ltd premises at Henstridge Airfield in Somerset and the course cost includes all materials and lunches. Your Instructor Chris and Alex Allen Dates 2027 dates TBC Times 2 day course. Arrival 09:00. Finish 17:00. Duration Two days Venue Henstridge Airfield, Somerset, BA8 0TN Price Member - £406, Non-Member - £426 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 LAA Alert - FAA issues AD for Piper rudder posts 14 Feb 2025 Replacement of rudder posts not made from 4130N On 13.02.25, FAA issued Airworthiness Directive 2025-02-11 which requires the replacement of the rudder post on a large number of Piper types, where the part is not made from 4130N steel. Compliance time varies between 2 years and 10 years depending on whether a beacon light is fitted to the top of the fin post and depending on the power of the engine installed. LAA Alert A-01-2025 has been created to communicate this to potentially affected owners. A-01-2025 Piper rudder post AD .pdf Download PDF • 196KB Next Previous

< Back Alert A-12-2025 - Aeroprakt windscreens 14 Oct 2025 LAA Engineering has issued Alert A-12-2025 to highlight the recent issue of a series of Aeroprakt service bulletins that require older style windscreens to be replaced at certain intervals, with the Vne of the aircraft being temporarily reduced in certain circumstances. A-12-2025 - Aeroprakt windscreens issue 1 .pdf Download PDF • 231KB Next Previous

Light Aviation Magazine 2013 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2013 January 2013 April 2013 July 2013 October 2013 February 2013 May 2013 August 2013 November 2013 March 2013 June 2013 September 2013 December 2013

< Back International Women in Engineering Day 23 Jun 2023 To mark this year’s International Women in Engineering Day, the UK Civil Aviation Authority had a chat with Lucy Wootton, our Chief Inspector. Simon Tilling, our CEO said: “The LAA are really proud of Lucy and the work she is doing to improve the service we offer to our members. We would be very keen to hear from more women who want to consider a career in light aviation” Learn more about how Lucy’s career has developed to encompass gliding, powered flying and aeronautical engineering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s71AijtAxUI Next Previous

Inspector Training Seminars In 2018, the ‘Inspector Training Seminar’ (ITS) scheme was introduced. This means that, in order to continue operating as an Inspector, every Inspector must attend an ITS in the previous four years, as assessed on 31st March each year, as part of their recurrent training. All Inspector Training Seminars for spring 2025 have now been completed, there will be more Seminars planned for Autumn and Winter. Each Inspector Training Seminar is free-of-charge and includes a complimentary lunch. The day runs from 0930 to 1630. Any Inspector is welcome to book onto a seminar, effectively resetting their ITS attendance and therefore, recurrent training, early; but priority will be given to those Inspectors due for review by 31st March 2026. Please contact LAA Engineering for further details of exact venues and booking details.