< Back New LAA Inspector - Tomas del Carpio 15 Aug 2025 We are pleased to welcome Tomas del Carpio as a new LAA Inspector, having attended an LAA Inspector Assessment Day at Turweston recently. Living in the historic village of the former RAF Upper Heyford base, aviation is a part of Tomas’ life even outside of my daily job of restoring and maintaining vintage and modern light aircraft. He has been in the aircraft maintenance industry since 2008 but the age range of aircraft. He has worked on spans more than a century of aviation history. From helping to restore an original AVRO 504 to carrying out advanced composite carbon fibre repairs on a Diamond DA42, his experience covers a broad and diverse spectrum of aircraft types and technologies - both certified and non-certified. Whether it’s performing an engine change on a King Air in the dusty heat of Malta or changing a tyre on a stranded PA-28 in a muddy field in Kent, He has encountered a wide variety of challenges and learned something valuable from each one. Tomas is always happy to help and share his knowledge and experience whether it’s offering technical advice over the phone or getting hands-on with something more involved. Next Previous

< Back Eurofox Rudder Pedal Failures - LAA Standard Modification Approved & MTD-05-2025 Issue 4 19 Jan 2026 LAA Standard Modification SM16826 provides a terminating action to the 10-hour inspections required in LAA MTD-05-2025, which has now been up-issued to ISSUE 4 The LAA Standard Modification – SM16826 ‘ Reinforcement of Rudder Pedal to Torque Tube Joints ’ has been through our internal review process and is now formally approved. SM16826 strengthens all 4 pedal joints by the addition of welded steel, wrap-around finger plates. Incorporating this standard modification provides a terminating action to the 10-hour inspections required in LAA MTD-05-2025, which has now been up-issued to Issue 4. The CAA have also confirmed that incorporating this modification will be a terminating action for CAA MPD-2026-002-E and we expect the MPD to be upissued this week to reflect this. Once Standard Modification SM16826 is completed, owners will need to submit an LAA/MOD 1 Form ( Standard Mod Incorporation ) to let us know that the modification has been embodied, so that we can update our records at LAA HQ. A copy of Form LAA/MOD 1 is here . As a CAA-approved welder is required for this modification, owners have been provided with a list of CAA welders known to the LAA. MTD-05-2025 - Eurofox Rudder Pedal Cracking Issue 4 .pdf Download PDF • 913KB SM16826 Reinforcement of Rudder Pedals Issue 1 .pdf Download PDF • 743KB 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 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

Light Aviation Magazine 2017 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2017 January 2017 April 2017 July 2017 October 2017 February 2017 May 2017 August 2017 November 2017 March 2017 June 2017 September 2017 December 2017

LAA are proud to announce our Rally 2025 sponsors General Information Event Opening Hours 9.30am – 5.00pm each day (Fri & Sat) 9.30am – 4.00pm (Sun) Fly-In Instructions Up to date fly-in instructions can be found here . Please read these before you fly into the Rally. Camping Camping facilities providing basic amenities including hot showers will be available on site. There is ample ground for caravans and motorhomes. The site will be up and running from Thursday afternoon and will close early on Monday morning. Camping passes can be bought in advance via the LAA Shop . In addition to catering provision on the exhibition site, evening food and a bar will be available on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings, provided by Leicestershire Aero Club. Parking Please follow the signs to the designated free Rally Car parks. Designated parking will be signed for Disabled and Exhibitor users. You must display a Blue Badge if using Disabled Parking areas - any car without a Blue Badge will be asked to move to the main parking area. All emergency access ways must be kept clear. Please ensure you are familiar with the routes and do not block with vehicles or stock. Please do not block emergency gates onto the airfield. You must ensure that you keep the roadway clear for all other users. Dogs We understand that many visitors wish to bring their dogs with them, we welcome dogs on site. However, as this is an operational airfield, all dogs MUST BE KEPT ON A LEAD when on any part of the site. Dogs are not allowed in the aircraft parking areas. Please ensure you pick up after your dog. Anyone caught allowing their dog to foul without picking up will be asked to remove the dog from site. All dogs must have an identity tag with contact tel no on. WiFi Should you require WiFi, then please bring your own supply. Please be aware that due to the remote location of the airfield, WiFi reception can be unreliable. Water Drinking water is on the campsite and at the tower. There is an outside tap at the tower. Waste We operate a clean site policy and therefore all exhibitors, visitors and traders should remove their own rubbish from their pitch. A skip will be provided on site for cardboard and general rubbish. No electrical or hazardous materials should be disposed of in the skip. Toilets & Shower Facilities Toilets will be provided in the exhibition site, in the aircraft park and on the campsite, together with hot shower facilities. First Aid First Aid cover is provided by an external third party for the duration of the event. In the event of an emergency, please contact them or a member of Leicester Airfield staff. Fire Fire Marshals will be in attendance and should be contacted in the unlikely event of fire. Please ensure all flammable materials are kept away from possible sources of ignition. Dispose of any rubbish in the skips provided. No naked flames are allowed on any exhibition stand or trading stand. Security Regular patrols are carried out by our contracted security staff. e-Scooters No e-Scooters are permitted on site.

Popular Flying Magazine 1957 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 1957 Jan 1955 PFA Bulletin March 1957 May/June 1957 July/August 1957 October/November 1957 December 1957 April 1957 September 1957