< Back Alert 05-2024 - Rotax Oil Spray Nozzles - upissued to Issue 2 24 Jul 2025 LAA Alert 05-2024 - Inspection and/or Replacement of Oil Spray Nozzle in some Rotax 900 series engines - upissued to Issue 2 On 16.12.24, Rotax issued a MANDATORY Service Bulletins SB 912 i-016/SB 915 i-016 / SB 916 i-006 and SB-912 i-016iS / SB-915 i-016iS / SB-916 i-006iS which call for urgent action for engines of specified models within certain serial number ranges, if the engine has run for less than 200 hours from new, or engines which have been fitted with specific overhaul kits supplied between 01.01.22 and 31.10.24 inclusive. Therefore, LAA Alert A-05-2024 was issued on 17th December 2024 regarding this. Subsequently, a revision to the Rotax Service Bulletins was issued on 20.12.24, entitled MANDATORY Alert Service Bulletins ASB 912 i-016 R1/ASB 915 i-016 R1 / ASB 916 i-006 R1 and ASB-912 i-016iS R1 / ASB-915 i-016iS R1 and ASB-916 i 006iS R1. Therefore, on 23rd July 2025, LAA Alert A-05-2024 was upissued to Issue 2, which now supersedes Issue 1. A-05-2024 Issue 2 can be found HERE and is also found below. The bulletin concerns problems with a possible full or partial blockage of the oil spray nozzle due to an excessive application of Loctite at the manufacturing stage, when assembling the sprag clutch housing. This can lead to inadequate cooling of the stator assembly, potentially causing loss of electrical power to the engine’s ECU. A-05-2024 Rotax Engine Oil Spray Nozzle Issue 2 .pdf Download PDF • 232KB Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Clive Sutton 28 Mar 2024 The LAA is pleased to welcome Clive Sutton as a new LAA Inspector. Clive came to an Assessment Day at LAA HQ at the start of March. Clive is ex-RAF, a Chartered Engineer and a BMAA Inspector. He prefers composite & metal airframes and Rotax 4-stroke engines (especially the Europa type). He has little experience with 2-strokes of Continentals/Lycomings or wood and fabric aircraft. He is ready to travel a maximum of an hour; Wellesbourne, Bidford and Coventry are within easy reach for him. Next Previous

< 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

< Back LAA Inspector Seminar 14 Feb 2024 Last Thursday, 16 Inspectors attended an Inspector Training Seminar at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, run by our Chief Inspector Lucy Wootton, with the assistance of our Head of Flight Test, Andy Draper and Airworthiness Engineer, Cris Fernandez. LAA Inspectors are required to attend training once every four years. We had a great day - lots of knowledge shared and interesting discussions. Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Neil Oakman 22 Sept 2025 We are pleased to welcome Neil Oakman as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Neil’s interest in aviation began during his early years living near the former RAF Sawbridgeworth airfield. Each summer, he would cycle to the edge of the old perimeter track to watch Piper Pawnee crop-spraying aircraft take off and land, sparking a lifelong enthusiasm for flight. After leaving school, Neil studied engineering and began working at local airfields, gaining hands-on experience with a variety of vintage aircraft ranging from Piper Cubs to the Sea Hurricane. This provided a strong foundation in both traditional aircraft construction and maintenance practices. He later pursued a career as a commercial pilot. Further details of his flying background can be found on his coaching profile on the LAA website. Throughout his aviation career, Neil has maintained his own aircraft as well as those of colleagues. This has given him a broad practical knowledge of types such as the De Havilland Chipmunk and the Scottish Aviation Bulldog, along with experience in maintaining aircraft constructed from metal, wood, and fabric. While his exposure to carbon and composite structures is limited at present, he is keen to expand his skills in this area as it represents a growing sector within the sport aviation community. As an LAA Inspector, Neil is committed to supporting aircraft owners by providing practical advice and guidance to help ensure their aircraft are operated and maintained to the high standards of safety, airworthiness, and reliability required by the LAA. Next Previous

< Back New Head of Continuing Airworthiness and Inspection 3 Dec 2024 The LAA is very pleased to announce that Lucy Wootton has been appointed as the new Head of Continuing Airworthiness and Inspection. LAA CEO Simon Tilling continues: “We have taken the opportunity to bring together the inspection and airworthiness teams under one leader. Currently Continuing Airworthiness and our nationwide team of Inspectors are interdependent functions, bringing them together allows for closer co-operation and the alignment of objectives and actions. This new, combined team has the overall objective of ensuring and maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the LAA fleet of more than 2,700 aircraft. It’s responsibilities will include: Airworthiness audits (ACAMs) Permit to Fly Revalidation Process & PFRCs Tracking, analysis, and management of airworthiness issues and identification of solutions Promulgation of continuing airworthiness Information (TADS, Alerts, TSBs, MTDs, Light Aviation Magazine, website) External Liaison (AAIB, CAA, BGA, BMAA) Inspector Induction Support Training, development, and record keeping Communication Performance management Authorisations Contribution to processes and procedures (EPM, Exposition, SPARS, TLs etc) Lucy joined the LAA in August 2022 as Chief Inspector. She has a first-class Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering, with Honours, from Loughborough University, having spent five years there, including a year’s placement at Rolls-Royce in Failure Investigation, for which she achieved a Diploma in Industrial Studies. Lucy has also been a British Gliding Association Inspector for more than 10 years, as well as an ARC Signatory. Lucy holds a PPL(A) for both single-engine piston aircraft and touring motor gliders, with a night rating, instrument rating(restricted) and sailplane towing rating. Prior to joining the LAA, Lucy worked as an Aircraft Structural Repair Design Engineer for a major aeronautical engineering organisation. Since joining the LAA as Chief Inspector, Lucy has been instrumental in the continuing development of the LAA Inspectorate, who are recognised for their knowledge and skills and professionalism across the aviation industry." Next Previous

Avgas UL91 & UL94 UL91 has been supplied at many airfields for a number of years. UL94 (similar to UL91 but with a slightly higher octane rating) is now becoming available. These fuels are suitable, and approved, for a wide range of engines types used in LAA aircraft. With 100LL being phased out over the coming years, now is an ideal time to see if your engine is compatible and help do your bit for the environment. The LAA Airworthiness Approval Note (AAN) for use of UL91 & UL94 in appropriate LAA aircraft can be found here . It contains a list of the most popular types of engines for which the fuel is suitable. The EASA document pertaining to use of UL91 in non LAA types is available here.

< 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 LAA Alert for Rotax 900 series engines regarding the oil spray nozzle 18 Dec 2024 Inspection and/or Replacement of Oil Spray Nozzle On 16.12.24, Rotax issued a new MANDATORY Service Bulletin SB 912 i-016/SB 915 i-016 / SB 916 i-006 which calls for urgent action for engines of specified models within certain serial number ranges, if the engine has run for less than 200 hours from new, or engines which have been fitted with specific overhaul kits supplied between 01.01.22 and 31.10.24 inclusive. The bulletin concerns problems with a possible full or partial blockage of the oil spray nozzle due to an excessive application of Loctite at the manufacturing stage, when assembling the sprag clutch housing. This can lead to inadequate cooling of the stator assembly, potentially causing loss of electrical power to the engine’s ECU. A-05-2024 Rotax Engine Oil Spray Nozzle .pdf Download PDF • 205KB 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-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 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. 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