< Back Engineering updates in June 4 Jul 2025 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during June. Continuing airworthiness information : Mandatory Technical Directive MTD-02-2025 - Mission M108 nose leg Alert A-04-2025 - Jabiru flywheel bolts Alert A-05-2025 - Alpi Pioneer landing gear corrosion Alert A-06-2025 - Christen Eagle II canopy detachment Technical leaflets : TL 3.04 - CAA approved welders TADS : 315 - Evektor Eurostar 330 - Alpi Pioneer 300 & 300 Hawk 370 - Mission M108 Propeller type lists PTL/1 : Isaacs Spitfire Next Previous

< Back Alert A-04-2025 - Jabiru Flywheel Bolts 12 Jun 2025 LAA Alert A-04-2025 - Jabiru Flywheel Bolts LAA Alert A-04-2025 has been published on the LAA website (and is also attached), highlighting the Installation Procedure, Torque Checks and Replacement Interval for Flywheel Attachment Bolts on aircraft equipped with Jabiru 2200, 3300 and 5100 engines, and withdrawal of LAA Alert AWA/20/15. With the advice in JSB-012 (Issue 9 onward) having been promulgated by Jabiru, LAA has withdrawn Alert AWA/20/15, which means that provided the advice in JSB-012 Issue 9 or subsequent is followed, along with regular bolt torque checks at every 100 hours and annual check as called for in the Engine Maintenance Manual, the recommended bolt life is as stated in the Engine Maintenance Manual (currently 500 hrs). For LAA aircraft having the flywheel bolts replaced, or torque checked, the work must be overseen and signed-for by a suitably approved LAA Inspector. Engine logbook entries must be made and certified with a PMR statement referencing JSB-012 in the logbook white pages, as well as an entry in the logbook pink pages (or equivalent method for tracking continued airworthiness compliance). A-04-2025 - Jabiru Flywheel Bolts .pdf Download PDF • 202KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - James Coyne-Downhill 15 Sept 2025 We are pleased to welcome James Coyne-Downhill as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. James started flying at the age of 14 with the Air Cadets, flew solo on his 16th birthday, and earned his Private Pilot’s Licence at 18. By day, he works on Dassault Falcon 20 business jets as part of a base maintenance team, following an aircraft engineering apprenticeship at Cobham. Outside of work, he enjoys flying and maintaining Luscombe 8As. Next Previous

< 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

< Back MTD-04-2025 upissued to Issue 2 - Rans Control Linkage Rod End Connector Safety Washers 18 Nov 2025 MTD-04-2025 Issue 2 - Rans Control Linkage Rod End Connector Safety Washers MTD-04-2025 Issue 1 was recently published to mandate the replacement of all plastic control linkage rod end connector washers with metal washers . It has become apparent that the washers specified in this MTD are not suitable to replace the plastic washers due to their dimensions. MTD-04-2025 Issue 2 has been raised in order to amend the specification of the metal washers that must used to replace plastic washers. Therefore, MTD-04-2025 Issue 2 supersedes Issue 1. Issue 1 of this MTD is now cancelled. Please refer to the attached MTD document for full details and compliance instructions, which can also be found on the LAA website HERE . MTD-04-2025 - Rans Rod End Washers - Issue 2 .pdf Download PDF • 293KB Next Previous

< Back Replica De Havilland DH71 Tiger Moth Racer takes to the air 23 Dec 2024 Steve Jones’ replica DH71 Tiger Moth Racer made a highly successful maiden flight on 26th November, piloted by Steve himself. The immaculate monoplane, appropriately registered G-ECDX, is a full-size recreation of one of only two examples built by de Havilland in 1927. Of all wood construction, and fitted with a modified DH Gipsy 1 engine, the original DH71s were created to publicise their new Gipsy engine before releasing it onto the market to power their already successful DH60 Moth biplane. An exercise in light weight and streamlining to maximise speed, the DH71 was also significant in developing construction techniques that de Havilland used to good effect in later designs. The original DH71 achieved 186mph around a 65 mile closed circuit course, its Gipsy 1 engine souped-up from 85 to 130 horsepower for racing. The replica project was largely built by Ron Souch in the 1990s, under PFA supervision, using drawings produced by Ron’s friend Ben Price, a former aircraft draughtsman who put forward the idea as his retirement project. None of the original construction drawings had survived, so the design had to be recreated based on a three-view, photographs, press articles and intimate knowledge of de Havilland’s standard design techniques – and then checked against modern design code requirements. Most challenging part of the design were the details of the internally bungee-sprung wheels, as on the original. The project was paused for several years after issues came to light with the stressing of the wing spars and undercarriage. Steve Jones, looking for a hangar-mate for his scratch-built Comper Swift project, purchased the DH71 in 2016. Steve quickly got things moving again by commissioning re-designs of some of the original components, stripping off the fabric covering, re-sparring the wings and finishing the aircraft off to the same high standard as its original construction. The final examination of the assembled aircraft by LAA HQ’s design staff in November, when ground runs of the modified engine and its very coarse pitch Hercules propeller were demonstrated, took place over three decades after the project’s inception. When Steve’s replica DH71 first lifted off from Sywell’s grass runway, it was a sight not seen in Britain for 95 years. Big congratulations to all involved, especially to Ron and Ben for initiating it, and Steve’s perseverance and skill in finishing all the last details to such a high standard. Honourable mentions also to John Tempest for the re-design work and Ben Cox for inspecting it, this was truly a team effort. Sadly, Ron Souch is no longer with us to see the Racer fly. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/62c8d3_cf3ab2cf7a524a2d953fd5a8f08ed411/480p/mp4/file.mp4 Steve describes his aircraft experience as starting as an aircraft engineering apprentice at CSE Kidlington, in the late 1970s. He towed gliders at Husbands Bosworth, in Chipmunks, at age 19, and joined the Tiger Club in the late 1970s, becoming a flying instructor at Staverton 1981. As he describes it, he somehow (?) ended up flying BA 747s for 20 plus years. His remarkable flying career has involved air racing, aerobatic competition and display flying, Redbull competitions and record setting in the Rolls Royce electric powered ‘Spirit of Innovation’ aircraft. Next Previous

< Back MTD-05-2025 Issue 2 published - Eurofox Rudder Pedals 5 Dec 2025 MTD-05-2025 Issue 2 has been published to provide further information on the situation as it develops and asking Owners and Inspectors to report back. The inspection schedule in unchanged from Issue 1. Therefore, Issue 2 does not require you or your Inspector to do anything different. If your aircraft has already been inspected to MTD-05-2025 Issue 1, then the next time an inspection in accordance with the MTD is due, you Inspector should reference Issue 2 in their logbook entry. LAA is continuing to work towards achieving a permanent solution via a modification to the rudder pedal/torque tube design. MTD-05-2025 Issue 2 is attached below and can be found on the website HERE . MTD-05-2025 - Eurofox Rudder Pedal Cracking Issue 2 .pdf Download PDF • 574KB Next Previous

< Back LAA host British Young Pilots 19 Feb 2026 The LAA is happy to support British Young Pilot's Weekend Club at LAA HQ, Turweston Aerodrome. More details about these events can be found below: BYP .png Download PNG • 2.87MB Weekend Club Turweston .pdf Download PDF • 688KB Next Previous

< Back Engineering updates in December 2 Jan 2025 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during December. Continuing airworthiness information: Mandatory Technical Directive 07-2024 - Eurofox trim cables Alert 03-2024 - Eurostar trim cables Alert 04-2024 - Loose Rotax engines Alert 05-2024 - Rotax 900 series engines - blocked oil spray nozzle Technical Leaflets: TL 2.22 'non-type specific MPDs' TADS : Sling 4 TSi Wishing all our members a very Happy New Year. 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

< 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 The New Permit Revalidation System - Step-by-Step Guide 9 Apr 2025 The new LAA Permit to Fly revalidation system will go live on 15th April 2025. This streamlined, fully online process offers an easier and faster way for aircraft Owners and Inspectors to handle Permit to Fly revalidations. Watch this video for a step-by-step guide on how to complete the online Permit Revalidation process, both as an Owner and as an Inspector. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOGRQ89dOA8 There are a few key considerations to ensure your revalidation under the new system goes smoothly: Please make sure you know your username and password before applying for your aircraft’s revalidation. If you have forgotten your login details, please contact the LAA Office. All aircraft using the new system for the first time will require a check flight no older than 3 months at the time you submit the revalidation application. This is in order to provide a baseline for the online system. The 3-year check flight schedule will then apply subsequently to most aircraft types. Some aircraft will still require a check flight at every revalidation, these are: Aircraft cleared for glider tugging in their Operating Limitations document. Aircraft cleared for Night/IFR. Aircraft which have flown less than 12 hours since the previous revalidation inspection. You will not have to submit your CFS-1 Check Flight Schedule when applying through the new system. However, a CFS-1 will need to be completed for each check flight and stored with the aircraft’s documentation, so that it is available when needed. We encourage you submit your revalidation application through the new online system, as processing time is expected to be faster than an ‘old-style’ revalidation. If you still wish to make an ‘old-style’ application up until 15th May 2025, all 3 forms must be submitted by this date and you will only transition to the 3-year check flight schedule after your first revalidation through the new system. Note: The option to apply for revalidation in ‘My Aircraft Data’ on the LAA website may appear shortly before the go-live date on 15th April 2025 as our IT infrastructure is updated. However, we will only be able to process applications received on or after the official go-live date. A handy list of 'Frequently Asked Questions' is available below: 20240409 - Permit Revalidation Process FAQs V1.0 .pdf Download PDF • 175KB Next Previous