< Back Francis Donaldson is awarded the Honourable Company of Air Pilots Sword of Honour 22 Sept 2023 This year’s Sword of Honour – which recognises an outstanding contribution to General Aviation – goes to Francis Donaldson. For more than 30 years, as Chief Engineer of the then Popular Flying Association and then Light Aircraft Association, Donaldson has recommended the issuing of permits to fly for more than 3,000 aircraft and overseen the engineering and handling reviews of around 200 different types. He stood down from his role at the beginning of 2022 but has remained involved as a consultant. Few people have been more influential to the progress and development of light aircraft in the past three decades, with an encyclopedic knowledge backed by real world engineering and flight testing expertise. Press release - Air Pilots Trophies and Awards 2023 (2) .pdf Download PDF • 167KB . Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Steve Hodge 4 Apr 2024 The LAA is pleased to welcome Steve Hodge as a new LAA Inspector. Steve came to an Assessment Day at LAA HQ at the start of March. Steve has been part of the aviation trade since 1997, when he joined Arrow Aviation Services as a trainee. He pretty much learnt his entire trade there and was very fortunate to have worked with a wide variety of components from engines and propellers, to wheels and brakes, with a lot of vintage aviation thrown in too. His is now as Owner and Accountable Manager of his own company, SOAR Aviation, a CAA Part 145 approved facility. He continues to provide the aviation industry with what he hopes is thought of as an honest, reliable, friendly and cost-effective service. He has always been involved with the LAA and enjoys serving the LAA community. Next Previous

< Back New LAA Inspector - Conrad Ceillam 2 Sept 2025 We are pleased to welcome Conrad Ceillam as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. As a youngster, he worked mostly on 3-engined piston aircraft for commercial flight, and on some twin turboprops in Guernsey. He then moved on to mostly narrow-bodied jets and turboprops, with some executive jets in the UK. Latterly, he worked in Finland on medium-bodied jets, scientific aircraft, and mission/patrol. Since moving to Shetland, he has mostly worked on twin-piston passenger craft. He has held BMAA inspector approvals since April 2023. Next Previous

< Back More new LAA Inspectors - Patryk Nelkowski & Pete Nicholson 2 Feb 2024 It is time to introduce you to two more new LAA Inspectors - Patryk Nelkowski and Pete Nicholson, who both attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day in January, with our Chief Inspector, Lucy. Patryk is a UK CAA licensed aircraft engineer (B1.1/B1.2/B3) based in the south west of England. Currently in the Greater London area on Pilatus, Cirrus and Tecnam aircraft as part of his day job. He has a wide-ranging aircraft maintenance background, with experience on commercial aircraft, such as the A220, Dash 8, and Embraers right through to Cessnas, Pipers, RVs and a variety of other aircraft including warbirds. In his spare time, he is involved in the maintenance and restoration of classic cars and historic military vehicles and their engines. After studying an engineering degree, Pete's professional career covered a wide range of electronic and communications systems, during which flying and maintaining both powered aircraft and gliders was a passionate hobby. After being lucky enough to take early retirement, his hobby has become a significant part of his activities and he particularly enjoys using his background and experience to work on Avionic systems. Next Previous

< Back Eurofox Rudder Pedal Failures - CAA Mandatory Permit Directive 12 Jan 2026 MPD-2026-002-E – Eurofox Rudder Control System - Rudder Pedal/Rudder Pedal Torque Tube - Inspection The CAA has published a Mandatory Permit Directive (MPD) concerning cracking of Eurofox rudder pedals. Please see MPD-2026-002-E below for full details, or access it HERE . MPD-2026-002-E - Rudder Control System - Rudder Pedal_Rudder Pedal Torque Tube - Inspectio .pdf Download PDF • 175KB Next Previous

< Back LAA Alert for some models of Rotax Engines 1 Mar 2025 LAA Alert A-02-2025 has been published on the LAA website (and is also attached), highlighting a recent service bulletin published by Rotax regarding the inspection and/or replacement of the crankcase and/or gearbox housing on affected engines. Rotax has identified a potential manufacturing issue affecting the hardness values of the crankcase and/or gearbox housing materials in certain engines. These components may not meet the required specifications for material hardness, which could lead to reduced component durability and/or potential oil leakage. Rotax regards this bulletin as mandatory. A-02-2025 - Rotax Crankcase .pdf Download PDF • 220KB 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

< 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

Light Aviation Magazine 2024 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2024 January 2024 April 2024 July 2024 October 2024 February 2024 May 2024 August 2024 November 2024 March 2024 June 2024 September 2024 December 2024

Light Aviation Magazine 2011 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2011 January 2011 April 2011 Juky 2011 October 2011 February 2011 May 2011 August 2011 November 2011 March 2011 June 2011 September 2011 December 2011

Inspector Zone The Inspector Zone is designed for use by LAA Inspectors (though is available to all) and is intended to provide a focal point for LAA Inspectors to source important airworthiness and other useful information. LAA Inspector Updates are provided via email. Inspectors should check the contact information shown in the Inspector Map held on this website, and let the Head of Continuing Airworthiness & Inspection (Chief Inspector) know of any changes needed. Inspectors are encouraged to submit items of news they think might be suitable for inclusion in future Inspector Updates to the Head of Continuing Airworthiness & Inspection (Chief Inspector) , Lucy Wootton at [email protected] . This email address may also be used by Inspectors with queries directly relating to their role as an LAA Inspector. AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION SPARS (COMING SOON...) INSPECTOR APPROVAL INFORMATION BECOME AN INSPECTOR FIND AN INSPECTOR INSPECTOR TRAINING SEMINARS

LAA are proud to announce our Rally 2025 sponsors Other Attractions The LAA Leicester Rally 2025 opens on Friday 29th August at 9.30 am and closes at 4pm on Sunday 31st August. Aircraft Park – Over 600 aircraft, dependent upon the weather are expected to fly-in over the 3 days of the Rally Airside access - a unique opportunity to inspect the aircraft and chat with the owners Large trade-exhibition: everything from a nut and bolt to an aircraft kit Aircraft Covering Display LAA Team present throughout the weekend Pilot Coaching Scheme coaches available to give advice Flea Market: Sell those unwanted parts or buy yourself a bargain! Speakers Corner: Seminars by keynote speakers throughout the weekend Strut Members' Area Outside catering including bar: Selection of fast-food and beverage outlets including bar and ice cream van; seating area Evening Bar, Food and Entertainment provided by Leicestershire Aero Club On-site campsite GASCo's Aircraft Competition LAA Education and Hands on Skills information and advice Full range of LAA clothing and merchandise