Armstrong/Isaacs Bursary Winners of 2026 Bursaries below. Five bursaries of up to £1,500 are offered every year to support young pilots already in PPL training. To qualify for these bursaries you must be under 30, are required to already have reached ‘first solo’ standard, have completed a minimum of five hours solo training and have gained the necessary medical and ground qualifications to continue your training. Rose Solley (above - left) A flight in my Grandfathers Jodel D117 was where it all began for me. I was lucky enough to have that first trial experience of flying when I was 12, followed by my first lesson when I passed my GSCE at 15. Because I loved my initial experience so much I was determined to find a way to fulfil my dream of being a pilot. Knowing that gaining my PPL would be a costly challenge I knew it was going to take a long time to complete. Coming from a farming background and enjoying working with livestock, I was able to get a job at our neighbouring dairy farm. This gave me flexibility with working hours and also the finance I needed to fund my PPL, the journey so far has taken 5 long years and the LAA Armstrong Isaacs bursary will enable me to complete the challenge I set myself of becoming a female Pilot. Iain Kirkham (above - right) I began my passion for flying at a young age, taking every opportunity to fly with my dad in his Escapade and more recently his Sling 2 taildragger. At first, I found flying an aircraft to be both intimidating and exciting but also rewarding as well as giving a sense of freedom and this motivated me to obtain my PPL. During the holidays whilst studying for an Engineering degree, I decided to start my PPL training in a Sonaca S200 at Blackbushe airport. I am now aiming to complete my solo x-country which has been delayed over the past two months due to bad weather and thanks to the LAA bursary I hope to complete my PPL training in the next few months. After my PPL I intend to become a member of the LAA and do a taildragger conversion course so that I can fly the Sling 2 taildragger and go touring in an aircraft that I helped my dad to build. I would like to thank the LAA and am very grateful for the opportunity the LAA has given me enabling me to pursue my passion and love of flying. Kate Lee (below - left) I am an Aerospace engineering graduate and have just started my PhD looking in to sustainable aviation solutions. I am passionate about combining my interests in sustainability and aviation and am focussing my current work on some of the challenges associated with developing hydrogen gas turbine engines for planes. I was fortunate to start working towards my PPL whilst completing an internship at Kemble airport. I love the feeling of freedom of being in the air, and find it very motivational for my work, as it’s a feeling I believe as many people as possible should be able to experience. The bursary should ensure I’m able to complete my PPL course this year before my theory tests expire! I’m very grateful to the LAA Armstrong/Isaacs Bursary for this support in realising my goal of completing my PPL. Armstrong/Isaacs bursaries are funded from the Armstrong/Isaacs Fund, which is based on a major donation from David Armstrong, who was a founder member of the original ULAA in 1947, a lifelong member of the LAA’s predecessor the PFA and the latter’s chairman from 1960 to 1964. His legacy, co-named with that of aircraft designer and builder John Isaacs, has, since 1998 enabled many young prospective pilots to gain their PPL.

< Back New LAA Inspector - Sam McMellon 22 Oct 2024 The LAA is pleased to welcome Sam McMellon as a new LAA Inspector for Factory Built Gyroplanes. Sam attended an Assessment Day at LAA HQ with our Chief Inspector earlier this month. Well done Sam! 🎉 Next Previous

< Back LAA at AeroExpo 9 Jun 2023 We're at AeroExpo UK at Sywell. Come and meet the LAA and friends in the LAA tent tomorrow. Alongside the LAA, we have Transair Flight Equipment, Cambrai Covers, AIR Courtage Assurances, PilotAware, Sling Aircraft, Bristell Aircraft UK, SEHT and Smart Skies! #aeroexpo #meetthelaa Next Previous

< Back Returning LAA Inspector - Chris Norris 28 Nov 2025 We are pleased to welcome back Chris Norris. Chris returns as an LAA Inspector, following a few years away from the role. Chris is a licenced aircraft engineer, currently working at Vintage Fabrics at Audley End. Next Previous

< Back Mandatory Technical Directive issued for Rotax 914 powered Eurofox aircraft 29 May 2024 Mandatory Technical Directive, MTD-03-2024 has been issued today to introduce mandatory disabling of cabin heat on examples of the type fitted with Rotax 914 (and derivative) engines. This follows an in-service occurrence of carbon monoxide entering the cabin due to leaks from the exhaust system. The MTD must be carried out before flight on or after 5th June 2024. This MTD has been emailed to all affected owners. Next Previous

< Back Nick Stone appointed as the LAA's Head of Airworthiness 24 Oct 2023 The LAA is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Stone as the LAA’s Head of Airworthiness. Nick brings a vast wealth of aircraft knowledge as well as a real world understanding of the need for good process and procedure. Having started his career in the Royal Air Force, Nick went on to work in the aerospace industry working in the UK with British Aerospace and Slingsby Aviation at various sites and projects, as an inspector, methods engineer and quality engineer. Nick then moved to the United States at Eastern Airlines in Miami Florida, Learjet in Wichita Kansas and Chihuahua Mexico as inspection/Quality representative of Shorts Aerospace (Bombardier Aerospace). Following a downturn in the British Aerospace industry he then took an opportunity to move into the nuclear industry working in both reprocessing and power generation. Throughout Nick's working life the one constant has been a passion for aviation. Having started as a volunteer at a local aircraft museum at 14, Nick started flying at the age of 16 in gliders and has a private pilot’s licence PPL(A). Prior to becoming an LAA inspector Nick spent many years building, rebuilding, and restoring vintage aircraft, the more unusual the better. “As an LAA inspector I understand the need to move forward and change and adapt to an ever changing but exciting world. Having run my own aircraft restoration company for the last seven years I always felt it is important to understand your customers”. LAA CEO Simon Tilling said, “Nick is a great addition to the LAA staff. I and the rest of the team are looking forward to working with him in the near future” Next Previous

< Back New LAA Alert for all Rotax 900 series engines 13 Dec 2024 The LAA has issued Alert A-04-2024 – Highlighting loose and broken engine mounting bolts on Rotax 900 series engines A recurring problem with Rotax 912/914 engines, equally applicable to the newer 915 and 916 models, is of the four M10 bolts that attach the engine’s crankcase to the engine mounting frame becoming loose in service. Most manufacturers call for the bolts to be wire-locked in place. However, in the case of the Rotax engine mounting bolts, it seems that the bolts are coming loose not because the bolts are undoing and backing off on their threads, but because of the joint faces become imprinted over time through creep, corrosion or fretting, allowing the tension in the bolt to be lost and the joint to become loose. These problems in the field are a reminder that where it’s critical that a bolt be torqued up, this should be checked at intervals (at least annually, we’d suggest) by undoing the locking and re-torquing them, before replacing the locking wire. Be sure this check is included in your aircraft’s maintenance schedule. DO NOT RELY ON A BOLT BEING WIRE LOCKED TO BE SATISFIED THAT THESE CRITICAL BOLTS ARE STILL TIGHT. A-04-2024 - Loose Rotax Engines .pdf Download PDF • 207KB Next Previous

< Back MTD-05-2025 Issue 3 published - Eurofox Rudder Pedals 7 Jan 2026 MTD-05-2025 Issue 3 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 or Issue 2. Therefore, Issue 3 does not require you or your Inspector to do anything different. If your aircraft has already been inspected to MTD-05-2025 Issue 1 or Issue 2, then the next time an inspection in accordance with the MTD is due, you Inspector should reference Issue 3 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 3 is attached below and can be found on the website HERE . 20260107 - MTD-05-2025 Issue 3 - Eurofox Rudder Pedal Cracking .pdf Download PDF • 883KB Next Previous

< Back MTD-05-2024 - Jabiru Distributor Caps - Issue 2 23 Jul 2025 MTD-05-2024 - Jabiru Distributor Caps - has been upissued to Issue 2 today. This MTD can be found HERE and is also available below. On 10th July 2024, LAA Engineering published Issue 1 of MTD-05-2024. This was published due to apparent variations in the design of the distributor caps and rotor arms on Jabiru 2200 engines, which meant that, in some cases, there was insufficient clearance between the rotor arm and centre boss of the distributor cap, causing the contact button of the distributor cap to be flattened against its range of travel by the rotor arm, which causes extremely accelerated wear leading to ignition issues and potential engine failures. Today, Issue 2 of MTD-05-2024 has been issued, superseding Issue 1. Issue 1 of MTD-05-2024 detailed a method for ensuring sufficient clearance between the centre boss of the distributor cap and the rotor arm. This method has now been superseded by Jabiru’s Service Bulletin JSL050. LAA MTD-05-2024 Jabiru distributor cap Iss 2 .pdf Download PDF • 294KB Next Previous

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

Continental Covering Letter to Owners AAN PFA 999-413 Sup 3 Approved Mogas Aircraft/Continental Engine combinations Inspection Checklist

Find a Coach All Coaches are CAA qualified Instructors and CAA 'R' Examiners. They are all highly experienced and generally able to do licence revalidations, differences training, refresher courses and any specialised training. This would be dependent on their own experience of any aircraft type on which training was requested, so please check with the Coach nearest to your location as to their availability to carry out your request. The map below can be increased in size and moved, as required. The icons represent the postal location of the Coach. Clicking on any icon will display a photo, a contact number, a preferred location or home airfield, and a short profile of the Coach you will be looking at. Most Coaches are happy to travel reasonable distances to accommodate your needs.