< 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 New LAA Inspector - Tom Bootyman 20 Jun 2024 We are pleased to welcome Tom Bootyman as an LAA Inspector. Tom attended an Assessment Day at LAA HQ at the start of June. Tom is a serial aircraft builder/maintainer/repairer, also with several years’ experience as an engineer with a global aerobatic team. He has experience building and repairing Zenair and Vans RV types, along with working on many aerobatic aircraft. He is also an experienced aircraft painter. Tom has a love and devotion to all things aviation, so he is always open to requests for information, advice and Permit inspections. He is based at Netherthorpe (Sheffield), but willing to travel. 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 Engineering Employment Opportunity 13 Jul 2023 Want to take the next step in your Aviation Engineering career? Then join the Light Aircraft Association Engineering Team and help keep the UK’s largest fleet of vintage and light sport aircraft flying! We have vacancies for Airworthiness Engineers at all levels to be part of the LAA team based at Turweston. The successful applicants will be responsible for all aspects of continued airworthiness for the LAA-administered fleet of aircraft. Main duties will include the analysis of data from many sources to identify and communicate opportunities to improve the airworthiness of our fleet of nearly 3,000 aircraft. This will include working with manufacturers, the Air Accident Investigation Branch, LAA Inspectors and engineers and the LAA design team, as well as providing technical assistance to LAA members, writing technical articles for our own Light Aviation magazine, and assisting with Permit to Fly revalidations. The ideal applicants will demonstrate experience in all aspects of general aviation airworthiness, including a knowledge of airframes, engines and aircraft systems. A knowledge of vintage aircraft, as well as newer LAA types and modern avionics, would be advantageous. Inspired? Then we’re keen to create exciting career paths for the right individuals and will provide development, training and certification accordingly. Candidates should be IT competent with Microsoft Office, have a friendly personality and the ability to work within a small team and also independently. Excellent communication skills are required and attention to detail is essential. These are full-time posts, mainly based at LAA HQ but with potential for hybrid/remote working and site visits. Salary dependent on experience. Send your CV to [email protected] , and fly high with LAA. Next Previous

< Back New LAA Course dates released 6 Oct 2023 Dates have now been published for upcoming LAA Courses for the rest of this year. To find out about specific courses and their dates, click here . Please note, the next 'Caring for your Gipsy Major' course is on the 11th November, not 7th November, as published in the latest edition of Light Aviation magazine. Next Previous

< Back LAA Alert A-14-2025 - Eurofox Fuel Line Disconnected In-Flight 11 Dec 2025 LAA Alert A-14-2025 - Eurofox Fuel Line Disconnected In-Flight A non-LAA, Factory-Built Eurofox with a Rotax 915, fuel-injected engine experienced an in-flight engine shut down due to the high pressure (4.5 Bar) fuel hose connecting the high-pressure fuel pump unit to the master fuel valve becoming detached from the master fuel valve during flight. This resulted in the engine stopping and a serious fuel leak in the cockpit. It is believed that a combination of the fitting’s shallow barbs, and a small fuel leak of high-pressure fuel through the scratched/cut hose lubricated the fitting’s brass surface and allowed the hose to slide off the fitting. Owners and Inspectors should pay close attention to fuel hose condition and attachment security during inspections. Any signs of movement, wear, or mismatch between hose and fitting must be addressed before the aircraft flies again. Please refer to the attached Alert here for full details and recommended checks. A-14-2025 - Eurofox Fuel Line Disconnected In-Flight .pdf Download PDF • 145KB Next Previous

< Back New Alert for LAA Eurostar Aircraft 3 Dec 2024 LAA Engineering have issued Alert A-03-2024 to highlight the recent reported incidents of corrosion of the Bowden cable ‘inner’ on Eurostar elevator trim tab cables. In response to these incidents, Airmasters UK, the UK agent for the Eurostar range, have recently issued Service Bulletin SB/EUR/022, Issue 2 which calls for a special check, before next flight, on the friction of the cable ‘inner’ when slid manually backwards and forwards in the ‘outer’. A-03-2024 Eurostar Trim Cables .pdf Download PDF • 203KB Next Previous

Light Aviation Magazine 2013 Click on the links below to open each issue of Light Aviation Magazine from 2013 January 2013 April 2013 July 2013 October 2013 February 2013 May 2013 August 2013 November 2013 March 2013 June 2013 September 2013 December 2013

< 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 LAA Rally and Service Awards 2025 24 Oct 2025 A list of awards can be found below: LAA Awards .pdf Download PDF • 139KB Next Previous

< Back Engineering updates in November and December 7 Jan 2026 The following documents have been issued/updated in the Engineering 'Info Library' during November and December. Technical Leaflets : TL 2.18 Change of owner/co-owner details TL 3.12 Engines and propellers fitted to LAA aircraft TL 3.17 List of approved prototype modifications Standard modifications : SM12871 Europa fresh air rotory ventilators SM16618 Europa PTFE lined hinges SM16770 LED exernal lights (new) Continuing airworthiness information : Alert A-13-2025 Sporcruiser nose leg failures Alert A-14-2025 Eurofox fuel line disconnected in flight Alert A-15-2025 Glasair rudder pedal bearing failures MTD-04-2025 Rans control linkage rode end connector washers MTD-05-2025 Eurofox rudder pedal cracking MTD-06-2025 Europa tailplane torque tube clamp mod failure TADS: Continental engines Eurofox Ikarus C42 Jabiru engines Pioneer 300 and 300 Hawk Piper J3C/L4 Woodcomp propellers Next Previous

< Back MTD-02-2025 issued - Mission M108 Nose Leg Failures 6 Jun 2025 MTD-02-2025 - 'Nose leg failures' was issued today for Mission M108 aircraft. This MTD can be found HERE and is also attached below. Three instances of nose leg failure have occurred in the past 12 months, two of which recently. This MTD mandates the regular inspection of this area until a long-term fix has been put in place. Lambert Aircraft Engineering is working to finalise a solution as soon as possible, working closely with the LAA. We will update the MTD as appropriate once a solution is in place. MTD-02-2025 - Mission M108 Nose Leg .pdf Download PDF • 212KB Next Previous