< Back New LAA Inspectors - Umberto Izzo & Simon Boynett 26 Jan 2024 It is time to introduce you to two more new LAA Inspectors - Umberto Izzo and Simon Boynett, who both attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day in December, with our Chief Inspector, Lucy. Umberto's experience is mainly in general aviation and microlight aircraft (metal, fabric and composites), either Lycoming, Continental or Rotax-powered. He is also IRMT-approved. He owns a share in Jodel 1050. Simon is a retired Licensed Aircraft Engineer with 44 years of experience working on Commercial Passenger and Cargo aircraft. He has a B1 and B2 CAA licence (Airframes, Engines and Electrical generation systems) B2 (Avionics, Auto flight, Auto land systems, Radio and Radar). In addition to this, he has an FAA issued A & P licence. He put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into building his own Vans RV 7, that he still loves to fly today as often as he can. Although retired, he still has aeroplanes and safety in his blood and looks forward to helping others to keep the high standards the LAA require, and to advise and certify Maintenance and Permit to Fly revalidation inspections. Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Lewis Harper 18 Aug 2025 We are pleased to welcome Lewis Harper as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Working full-time as a CAA and EASA Licensed Aircraft Engineer, Lewis has pursued his lifelong passion for aviation since entering the industry at age 16, and have also achieved his PPL along the way. Next Previous

< Back ROTAX® Service Bulletins – Inspection of the Propeller Gearbox 2 Dec 2025 Inspection of the propeller gearbox of ROTAX® 915 i and 916 i(Series) Aircraft Engines ROTAX has issued new Service Bulletins regarding the inspection of the propeller gearbox on ROTAX® 915 i and 916 i (Series) aircraft engines. These bulletins below outline the required inspection procedures, affected serial numbers, and any necessary corrective actions. · ASB-915 i-021R1 / ASB-916 i-009R1 · ASB-915 i-021iS R1 / ASB-916 i-009iS R1 Compliance with these bulletins is important to ensure continued airworthiness and safe operation of your aircraft. ASB_915 i-021R1_916 i-009R1 .pdf Download PDF • 1.31MB ASB_915 i-021iSR1_916 i-009iSR1 .pdf Download PDF • 85KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Craig Ransome 16 Mar 2026 We are pleased to welcome Craig Ransome as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Craig is an apprentice-trained B1 Licensed Aircraft Engineer who began his career as a Production Fitter with British Aerospace, working on the assembly of military aircraft. He later moved into the commercial aviation sector, gaining experience with several airlines and developing a broad range of maintenance skills. He achieved B1.1 (turbine aeroplanes) and later B1.2 (piston aeroplanes) licences, demonstrating proven capability in aircraft maintenance, fault diagnosis, and airworthiness certification. Next Previous

< Back LAA Open Day - Saturday 1st June 2024 9 May 2024 Flying in? PPR is needed. Contact: [email protected] Browse through our Flea Market table Meet LAA staff and Board Members Talk by Lucy Wootton our Chief Inspector on "How I got into flying" Instructors available to answer any questions you may have Browse through our retail shop for LAA merchandise, including charts, log books and clothing. A selection of LAA magazines available for free! Tea and coffee served in our members area and also a catering van will be available on-site for food and refreshments,. Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Robin Smith 2 Apr 2026 Robin enjoys every aspect of light aircraft whether it be flying or maintenance. Robin spent 15 years with REME attached to the Army Air Corps, was Aircraft Engineering Warrant Officer. He trained and experienced on helicopters, Skeeter, Bell 47 (Sioux), Alouette, Scout and Gazelle including their respective power units. He trained and experienced on fixed wing Auster 9 and Beaver including respective power units. He saw active service in Aden and Northern Ireland. He also flew in his early days as an observer. Robin has a UK PPL; he is a CRI and Fl(A). He currently instructs at Fowlmere with the British Aviation Academy and at Flying Made Easy at Old Buckenham airfield. He has aerobatic and aerobatic instructor rating and night rating. Differences training includes tailwheel and constant speed propellors. Robin has flown Robin HR200, Maule, Grob 115D, Cessna 140, Cessna 152, F24 Argus and PA28. He has owned a Robin HR200 a Maule MXT7 180A, Auster 6 and he currently owns a Grob115A C1 Aero which is fully aerobatic. He just loves turning himself upside down! He has worked with Modern Air Ltd at Fowlmere airfield doing annuals, inspections and repairs to Cessna 140, Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Cessna 177 Cardinal, Argus, Twin Cessna 310 and Extra aircraft. Currently he works with Touchdown Engineering at Old Buckenham on average some 2 days per week. He is also Safety Manager at Fowlmere and EASA approved. Robin has a small company Beagle Flight Consultancy Ltd which can provide several services which include Flight instruction via DTO/ATO, 2-year revalidations. Prebuy surveys, aircraft transport by road in UK and Europe. Import and export handling of light aircraft, inclusive of dismantle, containerisation, shipping, customs docus and assembly. 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 Inspector Renewal 19 Mar 2024 It's that time of year again! LAA Inspector Authorisations lapse at the end of this month. Renewing is simple, available both on and offline. In order to renew this year, Inspectors need to carry out two simple steps, which are as follows: Complete and sign the ' Inspector Declaration, ' which was emailed to all Inspectors on 4th March, and return to LAA Engineering, either as a scanned document or in the post. Pay the Inspector Renewal Fee , which is £40 and covers administration of an Inspector Authorisation throughout the year. (For Inspectors of Factory Built Gyroplanes, there is no longer an additional fee. All Inspectors pay £40). Inspectors can pay via the LAA shop, found here , or by giving us a call with their payment card details. Alternatively, Inspectors can pay by Bank Transfer. Inspectors' continuing support is crucial and we sincerely hope that all Inspectors will renew. Next Previous

< Back Standard Modification for fresh air rotary ventilators added for Europa types 18 Oct 2023 A new Standard Modification (SM12871) has been uploaded to the website for Europa types. This covers the installation of rotary air vents in the forward cockpit to aid ventilation. Standard Modifications are used to enable other owners to install a modification on a given type, generally by following the instructions in the Standard Modification leaflet, having their inspector check and sign it off and letting LAA Engineering know that it's been installed. Further information on the Standard Modification process can be found in TL 3.06 Standard Modification leaflets can be found by following Engineering - Info Library - Engineering - Standard Modifictations. Technical leaflets can be found by following Engineering - Info Library - Engineering - Technical Leaflets. 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 Van's Aircraft laser-cut parts - update 20 Oct 2023 Since our mention of this issue in the August edition of Light Aviation , Van’s Aircraft have been toiling away analysing and testing various structural elements to establish the effect that the laser cutting of parts has had on their strength and fatigue life. Detailed updates can be found on their website, but understandably UK builders and operators are seeking clarity on what the endgame will be on this issue. As the issue generally affects potential fatigue life, there is no immediate need to take action. In discussion with Rian Johnson, Van’s President and Chief Engineer, he tells us that they’re working on service information for the fleet that they expect to be published by the end of the year. Having worked closely with Van’s over many years, our expectation is that we will endorse their position. Next Previous

< Back Mandatory Technical Directive issued for Pioneer aircraft 6 Mar 2024 The control horn on the elevator trim tab on a Pioneer 300 failed in flight, which resulted in sever trim tab flutter. A safe landing was made and there was no further damage to the aircraft. MTD-02-2024 requires the checking of this horn on all Pioneer variants to ensure that it is of the correct design standard and recommends regular checks for free-play in the system. Next Previous