< Back Alert A-10-2025 - Cracking in E-Props Carbon Propeller Hubs 28 Aug 2025 LAA Alert A-10-2025 - Cracking in E-Props Carbon Propeller Hubs A recent report of a crack appearing on an E-Props carbon composite propeller hub was received by the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA). The crack was in the flange forming the periphery of the circular hub, in the close vicinity of one of the bolts in the outer ring of blade clamping bolts. Alert A-10-2025 shows photographs of the crack discovered and details required actions if cracks are found on LAA aircraft. A-10-2025 is available HERE and shown below. A_10_2025_E_Props_Propeller_Hub_Cracking_Issue_1 .pdf Download PDF • 382KB Next Previous

< Back Alert A-11-2025 - Eurostar aileron rose joint and rudder hinge inspection 8 Oct 2025 LAA Engineering has issued Alert A-11-2025 to highlight the recent issue of an Airmasters service bulletin that requires checks on the integrity of a rose joint in the aileron controls and the rudder hinge, following examples of these joints migrating and jamming aileron controls. Following the up-issue of Airmasters SB/EUR/023 to issue 3, on 07/10/25 CAA has issued MPD 2025-004-E to mandate the checks contained in the SB, which supersedes MPD 2025-003-E initially issued on the subject. A-11-2025 - Eurostar Rose Joints issue 1 .pdf Download PDF • 372KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Stuart Porter 15 Nov 2024 The LAA is pleased to welcome Stuart Porter as a new LAA Inspector. Stuart attended an Assessment Day at LAA HQ in September. Stuart spent considerable time as an aircraft panel beater fitter and has a love for all things aviation. Stuart is a multiple aircraft builder, painter and maintainer. He is open to requests for information, advice and permit inspections. Stuart is currently the Manager at a sheet metal specialists workshop. He is based in the Northwest of Northern Ireland, but willing to travel. Well done Stuart! 🎉 Next Previous

< Back Telephones 4 Apr 2024 Please note that the LAA phone system is being updated today and currently we are unable to receive any incoming calls. We appreciate the inconvenience this may be causing but we envisage they will only be down for part of the day. 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. Next Previous

< Back *DEADLINE EXTENDED!* Design the LAA 2026 Rally Poster Competition 2 Feb 2026 LAA “Design the LAA 2026 Rally Poster” Competition: Entry requirements The Light Aircraft Association (LAA) invites members, their friends and family who are 16+ to take part in our Design a 2026 Rally Poster competition celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the LAA. We’re looking for exciting, imaginative poster designs that capture the spirit of the LAA, celebrate homebuilt and vintage aircraft, and highlight the future of general aviation. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or a first time creator, we’d love to see your vision! Children’s competition Alongside this, we are also running a children’s design a poster competition, to inspire our young aviators to get creative! Parental consent required for under 18s. Shortlisted entries in this category will be displayed at the Rally. Age categories 3 – 6 7 – 11 12 – 15 Theme “Celebrating 80 years of the LAA” - building, flying and Innovation. Entrants may interpret the theme however they wish. Ideas could include: LAA homebuilding heritage The community spirit of the LAA Spirit of flight Future aviators and innovators Safety, engineering, sustainability, or adventure within GA Iconic imagery associated with the Rally A celebratory anniversary feel for the LAA 80 th ! Creativity is encouraged! Who Can Enter This is a competition for ages from 16+ . Anyone under 18 will require parental permission. The children’s competition is in three age groups. Poster Requirements Format: Poster size: A4 (portrait or landscape) Accepted media: hand-drawn, painted, digital artwork, mixed media All entries must be submitted as: A high-resolution JPG or PNG, or A PDF suitable for printing Design Requirements The poster must include the title: LAA Rally 2026 and mention the 80th Anniversary. LAA logo (download link will be provided). Date and location of the Rally – 4 th , 5 th and 6 th September 2026 at Leicester Airport The UK’s biggest International Fly in. No copyrighted images or AI-generated stock art unless you own the rights. The poster can include aircraft, venue (i.e. from above with parked planes). Themes from any era (Design themes from any era). Key Dates Deadline for submissions: 14th February 2026 Shortlist announced: 20th February 2026 Winner announced: End of February 2026 Judging Entries will be judged on: Creativity & originality Visual impact Relevance to the theme Suitability for use as an official event poster Prizes Prizes include: Your design featured in official LAA promotional materials. Design becomes the official 80 th Rally poster. A printed, framed print of your artwork 2x VIP all access event passes Presentation at the LAA Rally 2026 LAA merchandise and goody bag. *Prizes subject to change, subject to partner availability. 2 nd and 3 rd prizes for runner ups: Printed certificate Goody bag Children’s category prizes: LAA goody bag Printed certificate Poster displayed at the 2026 Rally Presentation at the 2026 Rally Terms & Conditions By entering, you grant the LAA permission to reproduce your artwork for promotional use across all media including social media, website and printed. Grant LAA permission to print artwork to sell. Artists retain copyright of their work but not print or re-sell. Entrants under 18 must have parent/guardian consent. The judges’ decision is final. The LAA reserves the right to withdraw entries that do not meet the guidelines. We reserve the right to adapt the design to best meet our needs. Submission Process: How to Enter Entries with artwork file to be sent by email to: [email protected] with: Full name Age category if child entry. Contact email and/or phone Confirmation that the artwork is your own original work and that you grant the LAA permission to reproduce your artwork for promotional use. Contact For questions, contact: [email protected] LAA Office: Address. Head office. Turweston Aerodrome, Nr Brackley. Northants. NN13 5YD. Next Previous

< Back Engineering updates in November and December 7 Jan 2026 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during November and December. Technical Leaflets : TL 2.18 Change of owner/co-owner details TL 3.12 Engines and propellers fitted to LAA aircraft TL 3.17 List of approved prototype modifications Standard modifications : SM12871 Europa fresh air rotory ventilators SM16618 Europa PTFE lined hinges SM16770 LED exernal lights (new) Continuing airworthiness information : Alert A-13-2025 Sporcruiser nose leg failures Alert A-14-2025 Eurofox fuel line disconnected in flight Alert A-15-2025 Glasair rudder pedal bearing failures MTD-04-2025 Rans control linkage rode end connector washers MTD-05-2025 Eurofox rudder pedal cracking MTD-06-2025 Europa tailplane torque tube clamp mod failure TADS: Continental engines Eurofox Ikarus C42 Jabiru engines Pioneer 300 and 300 Hawk Piper J3C/L4 Woodcomp propellers Next Previous

< Back Engineering updates in February and March 11 Apr 2025 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during February and March. Technical leaflets : TL 1.10 - List of aircraft parts and materials suppliers TL 2.01 - A guide to LAA aircraft ownership TL 2.22 - Non-type specfic MPDs TL 3.25 - Flight test briefing Continuing airworthiness information : Alert A-01-2025 - Piper rudder post Alert A-02-2025 - Rotax crankcase Alert A-03-2025 - Gen 4 Jabiru 2200 and 3300 engines TADS : Brandli Cherry Cessna 120 Eurostar Groppo Trail Rans S5 (204 and 204B) Rotax 4-stroke Sportcruiser Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Ed Stinton 27 Mar 2024 The LAA is pleased to welcome Ed Stinton as a new LAA Inspector. Ed came to an Assessment Day at LAA HQ at the start of March. Ed has restored two crash-damaged Avid flyers and one crash-damaged MW7. He also restored a barn-find ARV Super2, including Rotax engine conversion. He has been involved with numerous RV builds, including his own Harmon Rocket (modified RV4). Ed has held CAA approvals for welding carbon steels. He is experienced with fabric, wood and composites, Wankel Rotary and Lycoming engines. Ed has worked with both two-stroke and four-stroke Rotax engines. He has worked for MidWest engines, Diamond Aircraft and numerous maintenance organisations. 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

Preliminary Design Preliminary Design is the stage where the design is sized and developed in outline, leading to a three view drawing, performance and weight predictions. To help with this, LAA has developed a number of spreadsheets. Spreadsheet 1 is used to develop the basic geometry of the proposed aircraft, size the wing, fuselage and tail surfaces and work out some of the key parameters used later. Spreadsheet 2 is used to estimate the performance of the aircraft based on the geometry, initial weight estimates, engine power and guestimates of the drag coefficient and prop efficiency, allowing you to see how the performance is affected by changing each parameter in turn. Spreadsheet 3 is used to work out the critical structural speeds, develop the flight envelope and predict the aerodynamic loads on the main surfaces which can be used to size the structure, and as the basis for a load test program. The weight and balance spreadsheet elsewhere on our website allows the designer to quickly evaluate the implications on weight and cg of different positions for the crew, fuel tanks and baggage bay, and work out what empty aircraft weight and cg he must aim for. Thanks to the simplicity of these programs it takes only minutes to study the implications of changing the aircraft’s specification, for example the effect of changing the wing aspect-ratio, the trade-off between extra weight and cleaning up the airframe drag, extra power etc. Downloadable Spreadsheets Worked Spreadsheet Examples Design Tutorials

< Back AGM The awards ceremony will start at 11.30 a.m. Registration for entry into the AGM will be open at 10.45. For more details, please see link below. https://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/agm2025 Next Previous