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< Back LAA 'Grass Roots Fly-In' returns 23 Apr 2023 The LAA is returning to the green grass of Popham Aerodrome in Hampshire for a repeat of its “Grass Roots Fly In” from 18th to 20th August 2023. The Fly-In will again on one hand take the Associate back to its traditional roots, while continuing to offer the first chance to see some of the latest aircraft and products in the recreational aviation market. What was particularly notable about the 2022 Popham event was its sociality. LAA members and exhibitors alike commented on its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with post-event comments such as “It’s a great reunion as well as a fly-in–cum trade show” and “super friendly, the event always had a good vibe”. A joint venture with Popham Aerodrome, the LAA Grass Roots Fly In will develop its strengths as a social event bringing flyers from around the UK and Europe to meet fellow enthusiasts. The grass runways at Popham and the airfield’s famed rural ambience will mean that the event will focus on the fly-in and social element as much as on a large exhibition campus. The earlier mid-August date will also mean longer evenings, allowing more scope for flyers from further afield and hopefully, milder conditions for those who choose to ‘camp under the wing’. Said LAA CEO designate Simon Tilling: “The LAA Grass Roots Fly In was a great success last year, with over 3,000 visitors, more than 30 exhibitors and a total of 350 visiting aircraft through the weekend. It is a different event to the past, larger scale LAA Rallies and we’re working on plans for the continuation of a larger scale LAA event in the future. For this year, we’re looking forward to another great, social and fun, LAA fly in”. Next Previous

< Back MTD-06-2026 - Vixxen Forward Wing Attachment Reinforcement 14 Aug 2026 LAA Mandatory Technical Directive MTD-06-2026 Issue 1 has been issued today, relating to the inspection and reinforcement of the forward wing attachments of A-32 Vixxen and A-32-M Vixxen aircraft operating on an LAA Permit to Fly with Aeroprakt serial numbers up to and including #370 , which have accumulated 3000 flight hours or more. In December 2025, Aeroprakt issued Service Bulletin SB A32-25 to address cracking in the spar wall (web) and in the reinforcing plate near the forward wing attachment fitting, which, according to Aeroprakt, may lead to the disintegration of the aircraft in flight. Given the severe consequence identified in the Service Bulletin, this MTD is raised to mandate the reinforcement of the forward wing attachment fittings as described in SB A32-25 for aircraft within the applicable serial number range, which have accumulated 3000 flight hours or more. For aircraft in the affected serial number range which have not accumulated 3000 flight hours, the reinforcement remains a recommendation in line with SB A32-25. Please refer to the MTD below for full applicability, aircraft identification guidance, and compliance requirements. MTD-06-2026 - Vixxen Foward Wing Attachment Reinforcement .pdf Download PDF • 147KB SB-A32-25 - Reinforcement of forward wing attachment fittings .pdf Download PDF • 1.22MB Next Previous

< Back Permit Revalidation Forms updated 1 Dec 2023 The Airworthiness Review Report (LAA/ARR-1) and Permit Revalidation Application (LAA/PTF-REVAL) forms have both been upissued to Issue 6. These forms form part of the Permit to Fly Revalidation Process. The latest issues of the forms can be downloaded here . Technical Leaflet 2.00 (Revalidating your Aircraft's Permit to Fly) has also been updated to Issue 5 to reflect these changes and can be downloaded here . 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

< Back Engineering updates in October and November 6 Dec 2024 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during October and November. Alerts : Alert A-01-2024 Eurostar trim system Alert A-02-2024 Lycoming connecting rod bushings TADS : Europa Eurostar Sling 2 Next Previous

What does the Pilot Coaching Scheme offer? Licence Revalidation & Renewals LAA Coaches can provide the “one hour with an Instructor ” flight at any time in the second year of your licence revalidation period, and then sign the revalidation if you have already flown the required hours. They all hold UK 'R' examiner privileges, so can also revalidate ratings on UK PPLs and NPPLs once all the requirements have been completed, even if they have not flown with you. All Coaches are allowed to do Renewal Training under the LAA DTO to assist pilots to prepare for their General Skills Test to get their lapsed licence back. Differences Training "Differences Training" requires the acquisition of additional knowledge and training on any appropriate device, or on an aircraft. It requires both ground and flight training and must be endorsed as having been completed by a suitably qualified Flight Instructor or Class Rating Instructor. Features which, when first experienced, require differences training are: Turbo-charged or Super-charged engines Variable pitch and constant speed propellers Tail wheel undercarriage Retractable undercarriage Cabin Pressurisation EFIS Single power lever control (SPLC) Microlights Additionally, for the UK National Private Pilot's Licence (NPPL) SSEA class rating, differences training is required for aircraft with a cruise speed in excess of 140 knots indicated airspeed. Familiarisation Training Before flying any type or variant of aircraft which you’ve not flown before, within the Single-Engine Piston (SEP) class, you must complete "Familiarisation Training". This is the correct modern terminology for what would previously be described as being "Checked Out" on a new type. "Familiarisation Training" requires the acquisition of additional knowledge by one of the following means: Self-study of appropriate material about the aircraft such as the Pilot Operating Handbook, Pilot’s notes, etc Training with a suitably qualified instructor A verbal brief from a pilot already familiar with the type , particularly in the case of a single seat aircraft, With multi seat aircraft, while it may be helpful to fly with another pilot already familiar with the type, pilots should note that only qualified instructors are authorised to provide training, including familiarisation training and this could lead to difficulties if an accident were to occur that was supervised by any pilot other than a qualified instructor. In addition, when first transitioning to flying types or variants of aircraft which include various specific more demanding or unusual features, that he or she has not previously experienced as pilot in command, a pilot must also have differences training with a qualified instructor to teach them to safely deal with the feature or features concerned. Whilst differences training with an instructor is mandatory, we also recommend you include ground and flight training with an instructor as part of your familiarisation training. Type Conversion If you're thinking of buying an aircraft, where do you go for a type conversion? The PCS has coaches who are experienced on a variety of modern and vintage types. Your coach will take you through your conversion until you are competent on type. Licence Migration The PCS can assist you to upgrade your licence to a different type and also add additional ratings e.g. NPPL(M) to NPPL(SSEA) etc. Miscellaneous Although we do offer specific courses, our coaches are available to fly with you for any flying training you may need in your aircraft. This can include revision of, for example: Practice Forced Landings; Circuits; Stalling; Navigation; R/T and more. Whilst we do not, at present, offer ab initio training, a number of our coaches are also fully qualified Flying Instructors and so may be able to assist with any training issues you may have.

< Back LAA Alert for some models of Rotax Engines 1 Mar 2025 LAA Alert A-02-2025 has been published on the LAA website (and is also attached), highlighting a recent service bulletin published by Rotax regarding the inspection and/or replacement of the crankcase and/or gearbox housing on affected engines. Rotax has identified a potential manufacturing issue affecting the hardness values of the crankcase and/or gearbox housing materials in certain engines. These components may not meet the required specifications for material hardness, which could lead to reduced component durability and/or potential oil leakage. Rotax regards this bulletin as mandatory. A-02-2025 - Rotax Crankcase .pdf Download PDF • 220KB Next Previous

Detail Design Having worked out a promising-looking layout, initial three-view and performance and weight specifications, now is the stage where the hard work begins of transforming concepts to working drawings. Essential decisions have to be made about types of material to be used, the structural arrangement, exact choice of powerplant and so on. You’ll probably need to make a cockpit mock-up to check the ergonomics and control system arrangements, and maybe build a flying radio controlled model of the design to give faith in the handling characteristics. With the basic geometry laid out, stress calculations and assembly drawings come next, then drawings of individual piece parts. Keep an up-to-date tally on weights. As the drawings get more detailed you must re-evaluate whether you are going to meet your original targets in terms of weight, strength and aerodynamic cleanliness, whether you need to re-visit your original assumptions or re-design from scratch. Is there a way that the part or assembly can be made more easily, more cheaply, lighter, stronger, more fatigue or corrosion resistant? Fewer parts and fewer joints generally means fewer problems and less weight. Can you use off the shelf parts rather than having to make them specially? Are there other aeroplanes around that have already solved a particular problem in a clever way? Will the aircraft be easy to inspect in service, easy to repair if it gets damaged? Can it be broken down for transportation? If the handling isn’t quite right when the prototype is test flown, does the design make provision for ‘tweaks’ to put it right? Does the design include reserves of strength to cope with weight growth in service and more powerful engines, or is everything pared down to the minimum? Design Tutorials

< Back New LAA Inspectors - Cameron Bunce & Brian Davies 11 Jan 2024 Back in December, seven potential LAA Inspectors attended LAA Inspector Assessment Days at Turweston with our Chief Inspector, Lucy. We are pleased to announce that all seven were successful. Here is an introduction to the first two: Cameron Bunce - Cameron is based north of Aberdeen. He is a Chartered Engineer working in the Energy Industry. He has been involved with aviation since 2007 and currently is building a VANS RV-3. He has experience with metal, composite and wooden aircraft having flown over 30 types - but most familiar with the VANS RV series. Brian Davies - Brian has experience in building and maintaining composite, metal and wood aircraft, but tends to specialise in Rotax-powered aircraft. He is also experienced in Avionic installation and trouble-shooting. Brian is also on the LAA Board of Directors and our Vice-President. Congratulations Cameron and Brian! Next Previous

Rotax Fuel Injected 912 iS / 915 iS Installation & Operation Price Member - £224, Non-Member - £244 Duration Arrival 09:30. Finish 17:00. < Back About the Course With the growth of interest in the fuel-injected Rotax 912 and 915 iS series engines, it has become apparent that there is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the installation and operation of these engines and the way that the latest built-in systems work. Electronics and Rotax iRMT certified engineer, John Barrott, was an early installer of a 912iS and found it difficult to find accurate information on best practice. Working with UK Rotax agents CFS and LAA Engineering, John has built up a comprehensive understanding of the iS engines and has developed a course around this to provide help and advice on the installation and operation of this new generation of aero engines. The course is classroom (not workshop) based. Your Instructor John Barrott Dates Saturday 24th October 2026 Times Arrival 09:30. Finish 17:00. Duration One day course Venue LAA HQ, Turweston Aerodrome, NN13 5YD Price Member - £224, Non-Member - £244 Booking Pls call the LAA on 01280 846 786 to enquire/book or email cheryl.routledge@laa.uk.com . *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**

An Introduction to Aircraft Flying Qualities Price £500 for members, £550 for non-members Duration 09h00 to 17h00 both days < Back About the Course All aircraft need good flying qualities to enable safe flight. Flying qualities – the response of an aircraft to the pilots control inputs - are influenced by key design characteristics of the aircraft including the wings, fuselage, empennage, mass and balance, control systems, propulsion systems, or high lift devices and landing gear where fitted. This course describes how the design (and construction) of a fixed wing light aircraft may positively or negatively impact flying qualities. The course begins with a description of the underlying theory of stability & control, design guidelines and relevant certification standards for a light aircraft. Examples and accident case studies are used to support the theory. Test methods used to assess flying qualities are described and practical ‘hands on ‘ exercises are performed using a fully immersive Virtual Reality + Motion simulator to experience the effects of design changes on flying qualities. This ‘hands-on’ course is conducted over two full days with day one covering longitudinal stability and stalls with day two covering lateral/directional stability and spins. The course finishes with a summary of the theory and exercises conducted plus recommended references for further study. Course tutor is Dr Mike Bromfield. Mike is an Aerospace Systems & Human Factors Engineer with Myriad Business Ltd. He is also an Associate Professor (Honorary) in Aerospace and Flight Safety Researcher at the University of Birmingham and a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Ergonomics/Human Factors Specialist. He is a private pilot and a trained flight test engineer. Your Instructor Dr Michael Bromfield Dates New dates TBC Times 09h00 to 17h00 both days Duration 2 days over a weekend Venue LAA H/Q at Turweston Aerodrome, NN13 5YD Price £500 for members, £550 for non-members Booking Pls call the LAA on 01280 846 786 to enquire/book or email cheryl.routledge@laa.uk.com . *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 Engineering updates in February 5 Mar 2026 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during February. Technical Leaflets : TL 1.03 'Information required on completion of your build project' TL 1.10 'List of aircraft parts and materials suppliers' TL 3.03 'Avionics installations' Standard modifications : SM 16826 'Eurofox reinforcement of rudder pedals' issue 2 TADS: Eurofox Next Previous