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< Back Mandatory Technical Directive issued for Eurofox aircraft 6 Dec 2024 Inspection of Trim Tab Operating Cable Attachment to Prevent In-Flight Failures and replacement with Improved Design of Cable Attachment In 2016, the LAA issued an Alert, LAA/AWA/16/08 , regarding reported problems with the thin stranded steel elevator trim cable on Eurofox aircraft fraying at the attachment point to the trim tab operating horn, where the design forced the cable to be bent around the sharp edges of the clevis. The 2016 Alert also provided a link to, and served to promulgate, the Eurofox UK Service Bulletin on the subject, SB 04/2016 . Recently we’ve been advised of a potentially serious incident of elevator flutter on a Eurofox while towing a glider, which was caused by the trim cable failing altogether in flight where it passes around the trim tab operating horn clevis. This resulted in violent shaking of the elevator with serious potential for structural damage or loss of control. Since the cable had evidently frayed considerably before failing altogether, this occurrence highlights the importance inspecting the trim cable for signs of fraying at this point at each pre-flight and maintenance check, and, as the service bulletin explains, of keeping the clevis free-moving about its attachment to the tab so the clevis remains in line with the cable as the tab moves. This minimises the relative movement between the two which if occurring, would accelerate the wear on the cable. Eurofox UK advises that since the issue of the 2016 Service Bulletin, they have revised the design of the cable attachment clevis so that the cable now passes around a circular bush rather than being forced into two sharp bends, which reduces the wear on the cable and tendency to fray and eventually break. MTD-07-2024 , issued today, requires Owners/Operators to check whether the old or new design of clevises are fitted and for any signs of trim cable fraying before further flight. Owners/Operators must obtain and use a copy of the up-issued AEROPRO Checklist - B Service/Maintenance plan (Update Nov 2024 LAA aircraft) before the next 50-hour check. Finally, the trim cable system must be replaced immediately if any trim cable fraying is found, as detailed in the MTD. Furthermore, all Eurofoxes with the old-style of clevis must have the trim cable system replaced, as described in the MTD, by 1st June 2025. MTD-07-2024 Eurofox Trim Cable .pdf Download PDF • 495KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Ian Pattingale 6 Feb 2024 It is time to introduce you to the final new LAA Inspector from the recent batch of LAA Inspector Assessment Days - Ian Pattingale. Ian spent 9 years in the RAF as a propulsion technician, after a brief spell as a Development Engineer. He then spent the following 30 years at British Airways in various roles from aircraft Technical Instructor to B737 Flight Test Engineer. His current job is as an Engineer in London Heathrow Engineering Operations, where we are responsible for providing serviceable aircraft to support the flying programme. He's a keen glider pilot with a current 'Full Cat' instructor rating, as well as a 'Senior Inspector/Chief Engineer (ARC Signatory)' on wood, composite and metal airframes for gliders. In addition, he's a B1 Licensed, with current B777 ratings . As a member of the Vintage Gliding Club, Ian is keen to promote the continuing airworthiness of 'vintage' glider types - a current project that I am working on is the restoration of a 1976 Schleicher ASK18 to a fully airworthy flying condition. Next Previous

< Back MTD-07-2026 Issue 4 – Van’s RV Horizontal Stabiliser Attachment Bolts 12 Oct 2026 Mandatory Technical Directive MTD-07-2026 Issue 4 and Van’s Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 00134 Revision 2.2 MTD-07-2026 Issue 4 provides additional guidance on assessing deviations from the designed shape and position of the notches in the HS-714 flange, including clarification of when the position of a bolt hole relative to a notch requires additional repetitive inspections. It also corrects the socket size specified for identifying AN3 bolts from 7/16-inch to 3/8-inch AF. What action is required? Aircraft previously inspected under Issue 1 or 2: Check the bolt sizes and HS-714 notches in accordance with Issue 4 and complete the relevant entries in Appendix A. Aircraft already inspected and found satisfactory under Issue 3: No further action is required. All other applicable aircraft: Carry out the full inspection and measurements specified in SB 00134 Revision 2.2 and complete Appendix A. Please refer to the documents below for full details of the inspection requirements and compliance timescales. 20261012 - MTD-07-2026 - Vans Horizontal Stabiliser Iss 4 .pdf Download PDF • 519KB SB-00134-Horizontal-Stabilizer-Forward-Attach-Bolts-R2.2 2 .pdf Download PDF • 1.80MB Next Previous

< Back MTD-07-2026 Issue 3 - Vans Horizontal Stabiliser Forward Attach Bolt Position 24 Sept 2026 MTD-07-2026 Issue 3 & Van’s SB-00134 Revision 2.2 LAA has now issued MTD-07-2026 Issue 3 to reflect and approve the requirements contained within the revised service bulletin in their entirety, and to include a revised table in Appendix A which, used in conjunction with Van’s narrative and flowchart, helps clarify the requirements, as well as providing a means of recording the results. Please note, whilst compliance with Issue 1 of the MTD meant that compliance with Issue 2 was automatically achieved, the same is not true of Issue 3, since it introduces three extra requirements not present in the previous issues. These are: a requirement to contact Vans and the LAA if any of the four bolts concerned are anything but AN3 size a requirement to measure the extent of the relief notch in the HS-714 component to ensure that it is not too long a requirement to check that the relief notch in HS-714 does not contain any stress raisers. This means that it is mandatory to check your aircraft against Issue 3 of the MTD, even if it has already been shown compliant with issues 1 or 2. Next Steps 1. Have the aircraft inspected in accordance with MTD-07-2026 Issue 3 and SB-00134 Revision 2.2. If you have already made measurements following previous issues of the MTD, you should be able to copy them across to the table in Appendix A on the MTD at Issue 3. 2. Hopefully, your aircraft will be found to be free from cracks and compliant with the requirements of the MTD at Issue 3, either as currently configured or by following any corrective actions specified in the MTD under the supervision of your Inspector. 3. A suitable logbook entry, signed by your Inspector, will then enable the aircraft to be returned to flight. The logbook entry must describe the completion of the procedures required by the MTD at Issue 3, and where applicable, the results of any special inspections carried out, and amendments to the aircraft maintenance programme. 4. If, in order to comply with MTD-07-2026 at Issue 3, you need to instigate repetitive inspections or fit washer plates, please provide LAA Engineering with copies of: The signed logbook entry, including a description of carrying out the checks IAW the MTD Issue 3 and the results of any special inspections carried out as described in the MTD-07-2026 and the associated SB-00134 Revision 2.2. The completed Appendix A checklist from MTD-07-2026 Issue 3; and Where applicable, the revised maintenance schedule. 5. If, on the other hand, your Inspector determines that the aircraft does not comply with the requirements of MTD-07-2026 Issue 3, please contact us so that we can work with you and Van's Aircraft to identify a suitable solution. Please include a copy of the completed Appendix A checklist and, if not already provided, photographs of the relevant areas. In this case, the aircraft must not be flown until a solution is identified, approved by LAA HQ and implemented under your Inspector’s guidance. We are hopeful that, following the process outlined above and compliance with the new requirements contained within MTD-07-2026 Issue 3, your aircraft can either remain in service uninterrupted or otherwise, be promptly returned to flight. Please refer to the LAA MTD-07-2026 Issue 3, together with Van’s SB-00134 Revision 2.2, for full inspection guidance, identification requirements and compliance actions below: 20260924 - MTD-07-2026 - Vans Horizontal Stabiliser Iss 3 .pdf Download PDF • 529KB SB-00134-Horizontal-Stabilizer-Forward-Attach-Bolts-R2.2 1 .pdf Download PDF • 1.80MB Next Previous

< Back Winner Announced: LAA 80th Anniversary Rally Poster 6 Mar 2026 The winner of the 80th Anniversary Rally Poster Competition has been selected, and we’re delighted to reveal the official design that will represent this milestone year for the Light Aircraft Association. Congratulations to Amy Whitewick, whose striking design was chosen to mark 80 years of grassroots aviation, engineering excellence and community spirit! A Design That Captures 80 Years... The judging panel selected the artwork for its strong visual impact, clear celebration of the LAA, and its versatility across print and digital formats. The design reflects both the history of the Association and the forward-looking spirit that continues to define it today. Speaking about the win, Amy Whitewick said: "I'm so excited to win the LAA Rally Poster Competition for the 80th Anniversary, 2026 - my vision for the design was to create something that reflected the colours and styles that I love from posters of the 1930s, the Golden Age of aviation. I also wanted the poster to reflect the excitement and joy of current light aviation, including the portrayal of various aircraft types throughout the 80 years and embody the party-like spirit of this year's special rally. I felt this poster gives back all the joy and kindness that fellow LAA Members, Inspectors and Engineers have given me over the years. It's really a big thank you to them, my airfield 'family', who helped me achieve my wings and continue to encourage me to grow my skills."- Amy Whitewick, G-DHYS From Poster to Rally Branding The winning artwork will now be rolled out to support the promotion of the 2026 Rally! You’ll start seeing the design appear across LAA channels in the coming weeks as we build momentum towards the Rally. Thank You to All Entrants We’d like to thank everyone who submitted entries. The quality and creativity on display made judging a difficult task and demonstrated the depth of talent within the LAA community. We look forward to seeing the winning poster proudly displayed at the 80th Anniversary Rally.Rally details and ticket information will be shared with you in the coming months. LAA 80 Poster 2026 A4 .jpg Download JPG • 1.83MB Amy Whitewick - Photo .jpg Download JPG • 350KB Next Previous

< Back Mandatory Technical Directive issued for many Zenair types 14 Jan 2025 MTD-01-2025 - 'Inspection of horizontal stabiliser (tailplane) attachment brackets and associated hardware for cracks, looseness and other forms of distress' is issued for Zenair CH601, CH650, CH701, CH750 and variants of these four models. This MTD can be found HERE and is also available below. A number of cases have been found whereby the structural integrity of the horizontal stabiliser mountings on the Zenair types identified above have been compromised by one or more of the following: cracking of the attachment brackets oversize holes loose rivets distorted and chafed brackets. These problems could occur due to a number of factors including poor build quality, a build-up of tolerances in the positioning or dimensions of the brackets, improper assembly, rough treatment or in-flight vibration. Failure of a tailplane attachment could result in degraded controllability in flight or loss of control. Special inspections of this area have been recommended by Zenair since January 2017, in their document ‘Mandatory Action. Jan. 2017 – Inspection of Horizontal Stabilizer tail attachment brackets’. This Mandatory Technical Directive mandates this safety action for aircraft operating on LAA Permits to Fly. MTD-01-2025 - Zenair Tailplane Brackets .pdf Download PDF • 162KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Ben Davis 27 Nov 2025 We are pleased to welcome Ben Davis as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Ben has been an aircraft owner for about twenty years and has become something of a fan of the (mighty) Alpi Pioneer series. He’s owned several and flown several more. Ben has also refurbished and upgraded a number of Pioneers with new avionics, autopilots, and instruments. Along the way, he has owned and improved a Europa and a few other types, but he always seems to find his way back to a Pioneer! Ben also enjoys staring out of the front window of little biz jets. With a background in electronics, moving into avionics was a natural step for him. Ben is a Rotax iRMT (Line & Heavy), a BMAA Inspector, and now also an LAA Inspector, combining his technical background with years of hands-on experience. Ben is based at Finmere, just a short hop from LAA HQ, and is always happy to help other owners with maintenance, upgrades, or just a good aviation chat. You can find him sharing projects and flying adventures on social media as @benfly79. Next Previous

< Back MTD-07-2026 - Vans Horizontal Stabiliser Attach Position - Issue 2 25 Aug 2026 MTD-07-2026 Issue 2 Horizontal Stabiliser Forward Attach Bolt Position - Van’s SB 00134 Revision-1 MTD-07-2026 has been upissued to Issue 2 in order to align with the re-issue of Vans SB 00134 at Revision 1 on 22.8.26. This revision of the SB, and MTD-07-2026 Issue 2, allow a slightly further reduced spanwise edge margin on the outboard bolt holes to the ends of F-710B, providing the outboard bolt hole falls entirely within the width of the longeron’s flange. MTD-07-2026 also provides additional guidance in the notes section about how to carry out the measurements without removing the bolts. The inspection is to be carried out in accordance with Van’s SB 00134 Revision 1, with the results recorded on the Appendix A table of MTD-07-2026 Issue 2. As this MTD is mandatory for applicable Van’s RV aircraft operating on an LAA Permit to Fly, the required inspection must be completed within the next 10 flying hours or 90 days from the effective date of the MTD, whichever occurs first. If all bolt-hole positions are within the acceptable limits, compliance can be certified and recorded in the aircraft logbook. If any bolt-hole position falls outside the permitted limits, the aircraft must not be flown and the results must be referred to Van’s Aircraft and LAA Engineering for further advice. For aircraft which have already been checked and found satisfactory in accordance with MTD-07-2026 Issue 1, no further action is required. Please refer to the MTD below for full applicability and compliance requirements. 20260825 - MTD-07-2026 - Vans Horizontal Stabiliser Attach Position Iss 2 .pdf Download PDF • 476KB SB 00134 - Horizontal Stabilizer Forward Attach Bolts - Rev 1 .pdf Download PDF • 1.57MB Next Previous

< Back Remembering Mike Whittaker 1 Sept 2026 We are sad to announce the death, on 26th August, of Mike Whittaker, after a fall. Mike was the designer of the MW range of microlights and light aircraft that were very popular among amateur builders in the 1990s. A hugely talented, but charmingly modest man, Mike's designs enabled many LAA members to build their own aircraft at home on a small budget. Doing so inducted builders into the unique camaraderie of the active MW type club, of which Mike was the father-figure. An aeronautical engineer by profession, Mike was a great believer in the idea that even a low cost aeroplane should be properly engineered and its safety carefully substantiated. Our condolences to Mike's wife, Brenda, daughters Ellie and Lyndsay. Next Previous

< Back Mandatory Technical Directive issued for Sting S4 29 Sept 2023 LAA has been working with TL StingUK to correct an issue found during the flight testing of the factory-built version of the aircraft. It was found that the type would consistently drop the starboard wing more than the permitted maximum during a wings-level stall. LAA Mandatory Technical Directive MTD-01-2023 has been issued that requires the installation of a stall strip on the starboard wing and two stall strips on the port wing, along with restricting the elevator travel, in accodance with TL StingUK service bulletins 0002 and 0003, before further flight. 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