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< Back LAA RALLY 2026! 3 Nov 2025 We’re thrilled to announce that our 2026 Rally is officially in the calendar! Mark your diaries and get ready for a special rally, celebrating the LAA 80th Anniversary. 📅 Date: 4/5/6 September 2026 📍 Location: Leicestershire Aero Club, Leicester Airport. More details will follow soon. Enquiries to nancy.lillington@laa.uk.com We can’t wait to see you all there! Next Previous

LAA Clubs & Struts FIND MY LOCAL CLUB/STRUT Local Clubs, or Struts, as many of them are called, look forward to welcoming you along as a friend and fellow LAA member. They are an excellent source of advice and help, whether building, buying, training or simply wanting to be involved in the local aviation scene. The Clubs and Struts also arrange a number of flying and social events throughout the year, and most hold monthly meetings. LAA TYPE CL UBS You can also find details of LAA-Type clubs by clicking the icon below. These clubs are associated to the LAA and are dedicated to a specific aircraft manufacturer or model. They can offer social activities and technical support for owners or those interested in a particular type.

< Back LAA appoints new CEO 22 Feb 2023 “This is my dream role and I can’t wait to get started!” Simon Tilling has been appointed as the new CEO of the Light Aircraft Association. He will start in his new role in mid-April. Simon brings to the Association a wealth of leadership, general management and customer service experience gained in the technology sector including ‘blue chip’ brands such as Dell and Sony, together with a passion for sport and recreational aviation. Simon is an experienced pilot who has owned various LAA types, including one of the UK’s oldest Taylorcraft Auster aircraft. He’s also a former British Air Racing champion and was from 2020 to 2022 the chairman of the Royal Aero Club ‘3Rs’ committee for races, records and rallies, during which time he regenerated the appeal of air racing to new participants. Eryl Smith, Chairman of the LAA said “I am delighted to announce Simon’s appointment as CEO of the LAA and look forward to working with him to further improve the performance and standing of the Association on behalf of our members.” 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

Camping Camping passes, which cover the duration of your stay, are available upon arrival, at a cost of £65 . If you fly in and wish to camp under the wing, this is free. Camping facilities, providing basic amenities, including hot showers will be available on site. There is ample ground for caravans and mobile homes. The campsite will be open from midday Thursday 3rd September and close on Monday morning 7th September. Please note entry to the Rally Exhibition Site is charged separately. Prices are for the duration of your stay. On site catering and bar will be available in the Exhibition area during event opening hours and evening food, bar and entertainment will be provided by Leicestershire Aero Club in the evenings.

< Back New LAA Inspector - Malcolm Talbot 14 Jul 2025 We are pleased to welcome Malcolm Talbot as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Malcolm holds a BSc(Hons) with the Open University in Maths, Technology and Engineering. He has held a PPL since 2010 and been a Flight Instructor FI since 2019, (having passed the CPL theory exams),. He is currently instructing for Moray Flying Club and Highland Aviation, and recently become a ground examiner. Malcolm built and flies a Eurofox, which first flew in 2013. He thoroughly enjoyed the build process. Next Previous

< Back Grass Roots Fly-In Slots and Tickets now available! 26 Jul 2023 Not long to go now!! Details on slot bookings, entrance tickets, camping, exhibitor information, trophies and awards, opening times, other attractions etc are now available Fly-in details can be found here . Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Neil Oakman 22 Sept 2025 We are pleased to welcome Neil Oakman as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Neil’s interest in aviation began during his early years living near the former RAF Sawbridgeworth airfield. Each summer, he would cycle to the edge of the old perimeter track to watch Piper Pawnee crop-spraying aircraft take off and land, sparking a lifelong enthusiasm for flight. After leaving school, Neil studied engineering and began working at local airfields, gaining hands-on experience with a variety of vintage aircraft ranging from Piper Cubs to the Sea Hurricane. This provided a strong foundation in both traditional aircraft construction and maintenance practices. He later pursued a career as a commercial pilot. Further details of his flying background can be found on his coaching profile on the LAA website. Throughout his aviation career, Neil has maintained his own aircraft as well as those of colleagues. This has given him a broad practical knowledge of types such as the De Havilland Chipmunk and the Scottish Aviation Bulldog, along with experience in maintaining aircraft constructed from metal, wood, and fabric. While his exposure to carbon and composite structures is limited at present, he is keen to expand his skills in this area as it represents a growing sector within the sport aviation community. As an LAA Inspector, Neil is committed to supporting aircraft owners by providing practical advice and guidance to help ensure their aircraft are operated and maintained to the high standards of safety, airworthiness, and reliability required by the LAA. Next Previous

< Back LAA Rally 2026 Update 22 Sept 2026 More than 3,000 LAA members, pilots, enthusiasts and families gather in Leicestershire to celebrate 80 years of the Light Aircraft Association! Leicester Airport was buzzing with aviation this weekend as the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) Rally 2026 brought together more than 3,000 pilots, aircraft owners, homebuilders, exhibitors, speakers, volunteers and aviation enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond. Held from 4–6 September , this year’s Rally marked the LAA’s 80th anniversary , celebrating eight decades of supporting recreational flying, aircraft building, engineering and the wider general aviation community. From beautifully restored classics and innovative homebuilt designs to modern light aircraft and the latest aviation products and services, the Rally showcased the combination of aviation, engineering, craftsmanship, innovation and community that makes the LAA unique. Celebrating 80 years of building, flying and innovation The anniversary provided a fitting theme for the Rally, celebrating the remarkable contribution the LAA and its members have made to recreational aviation since its formation. Aircraft representing different eras of the Association’s history helped tell the story of recreational aviation, alongside a special static line-up and 80th anniversary cake. Visitors had the opportunity to get close to aircraft, meet the people who build and fly them, talk to specialists and discover more about general aviation. Saturday featured a special flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) , while the iconic Little Nellie autogyro , made famous by James Bonds, You only live twice, was on static display from the Ken Wallace Collection. Another standout was the Druine Turbulent , which took part in the 1956 Tour of UK Airfields and is still flying today as part of the Turbulent display team. More than just an airfield Almost 1,000 aircraft movements took place during the event, with 421 aircraft arriving at Leicester Airport. But the Rally offered much more than aircraft displays. The Homebuilders Marquee highlighted the skill and ingenuity involved in designing, building and maintaining aircraft, while the new STEM Zone showcased drones, wind tunnels, 3D printers and immersive simulators. Visitors could also hear from aviation experts in Speakers Corner , explore indoor and outdoor displays and meet fellow enthusiasts. For families and newcomers, the Rally provided an accessible introduction to the people, skills and stories behind general aviation. A huge team effort The success of the Rally depended on the combined efforts of the LAA Rally team, Leicester Airport, exhibitors, pilots and, particularly, the many volunteers who gave their time to make the weekend happen. Simon Tilling, LAA CEO, said: “The 80th anniversary Rally has been a fantastic celebration of everything that makes the LAA special. We are enormously grateful to everyone who travelled to Leicester, supported the event and helped make it such a memorable weekend. The LAA has an extraordinary history, but this Rally has also shown that there is huge enthusiasm for its future.” Looking to the future The Rally was not simply a celebration of the LAA’s history, but also of the future of recreational aviation. With new generations discovering flying, aircraft builders continuing to innovate and an enthusiastic community supporting the next generation of pilots and engineers, the message was clear: the passion for light aviation is very much alive and well. The LAA Rally 2026 provided a fitting celebration of 80 years of building, flying and innovation, and a confident launch into the next 80. Next Previous

< 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

Engineering INFO LIBRARY CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION INSPECTOR ZONE FLIGHT TESTING AIRCRA FT NIGHT/ IFR REVALIDATING A PERMIT TO FLY TECHNICAL LEAFLETS OPERATING & MAINTAINING BUILDING AIRCRAFT MODIFYING & REPAIRING AIRCRAFT FIND AN INSPECTOR TADS ENGINEERING FEES DESIGNING AIRCRAFT BUYING AIRCRAFT

Become an Inspector Are you interested in becoming an LAA Inspector? To understand the application process, read the 'LAA Inspector Application Notes' and 'Flow Chart' below. Please use the form below to apply and include as much detail as possible in your application. Complete applications can be emailed to the Head of Continuing Airworthiness & Inspection (Chief Inspector), Lucy Wootton at lucy.wootton@laa.uk.com . INSPECTOR APPLICATION NOTES INSPECTOR APPLICATION FLOW CHART INSPECTOR APPLICATION FORM INSPECTOR APPROVAL INFORMATION