For part-built LAA projects, the new owner/builder needs to continue following the LAA amateur-build process. For already-flying LAA aircraft, the new owner simply takes on the responsibilities of the old owner for looking after the airworthiness of the aircraft. The restoration of an aircraft might range from dusting off the cobwebs and giving the engine a good service, to a full strip down to component parts and fabricating missing or damaged parts. It is also possible, in some circumstances, to import a part-built or completed aircraft from overseas. This is generally only possible where the type is already accepted by the LAA, the aircraft can be shown to have been amateur-built under a similar regime to that in the UK, and which is readily inspectable to confirm the build standard. A number of LAA types come under the heading ‘orphaned vintage types’. These are types that are no longer supported by their manufacturer and have been deemed ‘orphaned’ by the CAA (e.g. Austers). There are also some types that can elect to operate either on a Certificate of Airworthiness or on an LAA-administered Permit to Fly (e.g. Chipmunks). Buying an Aircraft Not everyone has the inclination, ability or time available to build an aircraft. The only route then is to buy a part-built aircraft for completion, a ready-flying aircraft or an aircraft in need of restoration. When buying an aircraft, the overriding message is ‘Buyer Beware!’ If you’re buying an aircraft that is already flying within the LAA system, you mainly need to satisfy yourself that it’s in an acceptable condition and meets your needs. LAA Inspectors are often happy to look over an aircraft for you to help you make a technical assessment of its condition. Another area you should consider is whether it has enough payload to take you where you want to go. When buying a partially-built aircraft or one from overseas, you need to make sure that the aircraft is eligible to hold a UK Permit to Fly and is in a configuration that the LAA can accept. It is usually a good idea to drop LAA Engineering an email to check before you part with large amounts of money. For further information, click the button below or look in the 'Classifieds' section of the LAA Magazine Click here for more information

< Back MTD-01-2025 ISSUE 2 published - Zenair Tailplane Brackets 28 Aug 2025 MTD-01-2025 - 'Inspection of horizontal stabiliser (tailplane) attachment brackets and associated hardware for cracks, looseness and other forms of distress' for Zenair CH601, CH650, CH701, CH750 and variants of these four models has been upissued to Issue 2. This is in order to correct an error in the 'Effective Date' of this MTD. 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. 20250828 - MTD-01-2025 - Zenair Tailplane Brackets - Issue 2 .pdf Download PDF • 183KB Next Previous

< Back Engineering updates in May 6 Jun 2025 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during May. Technical leaflets : TL 2.33 - Inspector categories for types TL 3.04 - CAA approved welders TADS : 162 - Zenair CH 601HD/HDS 162A - Zenair CH 601UL 162B - Zenair CH601XL 232 - Murphy Rebel 345 - Sherwood Scout/Reality Escapade BM-102 - Dragon Aviation A32 Vixxen P21 - Woodcomp propellers Forms: LAA/AR-REF - Airworthiness review reference guide (crib sheet) (new form) LAA/CFS-1 (fixed wing) - Check flight schedule LAA/PFRC-1 (fixed wing) - Permit flight release certificate Propeller type lists PTL/1 : Sonex Next Previous

Certification & Approval 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 ? Downloadable Spreadsheets Technical Leaflets Design Tutorials

< 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

Light Aviation Magazine 2023 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2023 January 2023 April 2023 July 2023 October 2023 February 2023 May 2023 August 2023 November 2023 March 2023 June 2023 September 2023 December 2023

< Back MTD-03-2025 - Marquart Charger Aileron Slave Strut 25 Jul 2025 LAA MTD-03-2025 - Marquart Charger Aileron Slave Strut The starboard aileron slave strut on Marquart Charger G-BHBT failed at the AN490 threaded fitting welded into the bottom end. A large proportion of the cross-section was cracked due to fatigue prior to final failure. The root cause of the fatigue cracking was probably flutter. Due to the difficulty of reliably inspecting for fatigue cracking at the base of threads, it has been decided to withdraw this strut design from the UK fleet. MTD-03-2025 can be found HERE and is found below. MTD-03-2025 - Marquart Charger Aileron Slave Strut .pdf Download PDF • 194KB 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

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 [email protected] . INSPECTOR APPLICATION NOTES INSPECTOR APPLICATION FLOW CHART INSPECTOR APPLICATION FORM INSPECTOR APPROVAL INFORMATION

< 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

Inspector Training Seminars In 2018, the ‘Inspector Training Seminar’ (ITS) scheme was introduced. This means that, in order to continue operating as an Inspector, every Inspector must attend an ITS in the previous four years, as assessed on 31st March each year, as part of their recurrent training. All Inspector Training Seminars for spring 2025 have now been completed, there will be more Seminars planned for Autumn and Winter. Each Inspector Training Seminar is free-of-charge and includes a complimentary lunch. The day runs from 0930 to 1630. Any Inspector is welcome to book onto a seminar, effectively resetting their ITS attendance and therefore, recurrent training, early; but priority will be given to those Inspectors due for review by 31st March 2026. Please contact LAA Engineering for further details of exact venues and booking details.

Data Protection Policy A Statement About the Information Held on Our Website We make every effort to make sure that the information held on this website is as accurate, as up to date, and as complete as possible. However, there can be occasions where we experience problems in achieving this. This means that we cannot accept liability for any loss, damage, or inconvenience which may occur through your use of the information on this site. We recommend that you contact us for clarification before going any further with anything which you feel could cause loss, damage or inconvenience, as a result of using information on our site. If you find any information on our site that gives you cause for concern, then please tell us, and we will investigate, as appropriate. Also, please understand that we are not in control of any of the sites that we link to from ours. This means that again we do not accept liability for any loss, damage, or inconvenience which may occur through your use of the information on those sites. Please contact the appropriate organisations to check that their information is up to date and accurate. A Statement About the Copyright of Information/Facilities Held on Our Site All of the pages on this website are the copyright of The Light Aircraft Association (unless otherwise stated). Our copyright is protected by UK laws, and by international treaties worldwide. All rights are reserved. Please read the statements below if you would like to publish our information further : We expect notification of further publication of our information as a courtesy. However, permission to use our information (for non-commercial purposes) is given, if we are acknowledged as the source. Privacy Statement GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION - LAA POLICY 1. INTRODUCTION As an organisation which holds personal data in the form of membership and aircraft ownership information, we are required to ensure compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), which are designed to ensure more robust security and more transparency in the use of personal data. The GDPR places specific legal obligations on the LAA. For example, we are required to maintain records of personal data processing activities. We will have legal liability if we are responsible for a breach of confidential member data and members have a right to request sight of the data we hold on them, how it is used and if necessary to request that data is removed from our database. 2. OVERALL POLICY The LAA holds personal data from members and data linked to aircraft built or operated by members. We only hold data when there is a justifiable need to do so and will remove data if it is no longer required. The LAA has robust security systems to protect data and information, and will promptly inform anyone affected should any breach occur. Finally, the LAA will not circulate any member information to third parties without prior consent. 3. WHAT WE HOLD We currently hold data which is pertinent to GDPR in six main areas: a) Membership Data. All filing is electronic, via a remotely sited database with no hard copy filing. Name, address, contact numbers and e-mails; age; type and duration of membership; aircraft owned linked to Engineering database; bank details; correspondence sent and received. No credit or debit card details are recorded or retained. Members names and addresses are supplied to the LAA magazine publishers for the distribution of Light Aviation magazine only. Stuts receive details of new members with prior consent when they join up. b) Engineering Data. Links from the aircraft ownership database to the member database include correspondence sent and received; lists of permit revalidation dates and related information, categorised both by aircraft type and aircraft registration. Permit issue and revalidation applications, modification and repair applications are held both electronically and as hard copy in a locked, secure archive. These typically include member name and address data and may also record pilot licence number. There is a legal requirement to hold aircraft files for future scrutiny by organisations such as CAA and AAIB. Engineering admin also process debit and credit card information for fees and transactions. No debit or credit card details are recorded or retained. c) Transactional Data. Held electronically and in some cases as hard copy. Records of membership fees paid, permit revalidation payments, modification and repair fees, training course fees and merchandise sales. Records of sales transactions are held for one year in case of queries and also for the purposes of audit. No debit or credit card details are recorded or retained. Magazine advertising transactions held include name, address, payment levels and future commitments. Rally advertising and stand space transactions are logged by the Office Manager and contracted accountant. Other charges and transactions are controlled by contracted accountant via Sage accounting software. d) Inspector Records. Information held by the Head of Continuing Airworthiness & Inspection on LAA Inspectors includes: name, address, age, qualifications, contact numbers and e-mail addresses, inspection approval categories, reports on reviews and competency assessments. Held both electronically and as filed hard copy. e) NPPL Data. Information is processed on behalf of CAA for the National Private Pilot Licence scheme. Name, address, contact numbers and e-mails, age. Payments for the LAA are made either online or virtually. No debit or credit card details are recorded or retained. f) Employee Information. Name, address, contact numbers and e-mails, age, bank details, tax and salary information, as well as working records, for members of staff, contractors and some volunteers. Accessible only to senior personnel; CEO, Office Manager, Accountant and Chief Technical Officer. Terms of staff member access to own records specified in Staff Handbook. It is noted too that every staff member and Board member holds personal information which comes under the jurisdiction of the GDPR in the form of e-mails, applications and transactional records. All staff and Board members are reminded that all correspondence and address details held remain confidential, and a Data Handling Code of Conduct, including advice on computer security, will be followed. All e-mails issued should contain a standard confidentiality notice. In addition to information held at LAA HQ, LAA Member Clubs and Struts will also hold information such as member data which will require GDPR compliance. The LAA will brief these organisations accordingly on a regular basis, giving advice on how they can comply in their own right. 4. OVERSIGHT The GDPR requires that public authorities and large-scale data processing organisations designate a Data Protection Officer to take responsibility for data protection compliance. The size and structure of our organisation does not justify a dedicated post, therefore a GDPR steering team led by the CEO will provide this oversight. The CEO, Office Manager, Chief Technical Officer and Head of Continuing Airworthiness & Inspection will meet at least quarterly to identify areas that could cause compliance problems under the GDPR and will report regularly to the Board. 5. PRIVACY All members, by completing their application and thereby entering into a contractual relationship for the LAA to provide membership services, have effectively agreed to their use of their name and address, exclusively by the LAA, to ensure they receive benefits including Light Aviation magazine. We fulfil the terms of the GDPR in having a lawful basis for processing this data (see 6), which will be held on our database for the duration of their membership. In the case of lapsed membership, the data is held for a further five years to allow lapsed members to more easily rejoin. Deceased members’ records are removed after two months, with the exception of LAA Inspectors, as their records are regarded as a part of an inspected aircraft’s history. Engineering and aircraft-related data linked to members is retained (see 3b), as we have a requirement to hold records linked to aircraft to meet the requirements of organisations such as the CAA and AAIB. Each form requiring Member Information input will henceforth carry the line; “Data privacy: personal data submitted on this application form may be stored electronically but will only be used in relation to the application (and to support the safety of any aircraft to which it relates)*. Statutory obligations excepting, personal data will not be passed on to third parties without your permission. The full LAA data protection policy can be found on our website at www.laa.uk.com ” *this section for engineering forms only. 6. INDIVIDUALS' RIGHTS The GDPR includes the following rights for individuals: the right to be informed; the right of access; the right to rectification; the right to erasure; the right to restrict processing; the right to data portability; the right to object; and the right not to be subject to automated decision-making including profiling. We are confident that current procedures fulfil the GDPR and we do not operate any data profiling processes. We will regularly review our procedures to ensure they cover areas such as the deletion of personal data and will provide a member with the data we hold on them, if requested, in electronic format. The CEO will make any final decisions about deletion or release of information. 7. SUBJECT ACCESS REQUESTS We acknowledge that individuals have a right to seek access to information held on LAA databases or if they think there is a problem with the way we are handling their data. We will comply with any such request within the statutory one month period. However, we can refuse or charge for requests that are manifestly unfounded or excessive. Individuals will have the right to have their personnel data deleted where they believe it is being held without a practical or lawful basis. If we refuse a request, we must tell the individual why and that they have the right to complain to the ICO and to seek a judicial remedy. We must do this, at the latest, within one month. 8. CHILDREN There is a requirement to put systems in place to verify individuals’ ages and to obtain parental or guardian consent for any data processing activity. This is unlikely to directly affect the Light Aircraft Association Limited, but it may be pertinent if Struts hold information on individuals under the age of 13. A briefing on these requirements will be forwarded to LAA Struts as part of their briefing process. 9. DATA PRIVACY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (DPIA) LAA systems fulfil the GDPR recommended ‘privacy by design’ approach. ‘Data Protection Impact Assessments’ will be carried out if a new technology is being deployed; or if there is processing on a large scale of the special categories of data held. While this is unlikely to directly affect the LAA, we will work with our IT contractors to ensure that awareness of this is included in any future development programmes. 10. BREACHES OF DATA Should we become aware of any personal data breach, we will notify members as rapidly as is feasibly possible, notifying the Information Commissioner’s Office if a breach is likely to result in discrimination, damage to reputation, financial loss, loss of confidentiality or any other significant economic or social disadvantage to those concerned. March 2025