LAA CEO among those named for services to aviation in NY Honours List

LAA CEO Stephen Slater, along with former head of the CAA GA Unit, Tony Rapson, and helicopter safety specialist Lt Cdr Anthony Eagles RN, have been named in HM The King’s 2023 New Year Honours List for contributions to aviation.

Stephen has been awarded an MBE for services to diversity in the aviation industry, reflecting his work with everything from vintage aviation to the latest eVTOL types, as well as his support of organisations such as the British Womens’ Pilots Association and Aerobility, as well as developing LAA initiatives to encourage young peoples’ interest in flying.

These include working with LAA Struts and Member Clubs to develop young peoples’ aviation adventure days, build-a-plane projects, aviation art competitions at air shows, and also expanding the LAA’s Armstrong-Isaacs Bursary scheme to support more young

Meet the LAA at AeroExpo

AeroExpo, in association with the LAA, will incorporate a ‘Meet the LAA’ initiative for its 2023 event. An LAA display area will include aircraft and suppliers of specific interest to the homebuilt and sport flying sector, with entrance to Aero Expo at half-price for LAA members. In addition, the LAA will help contribute to the programme of seminars during the three days of the event, with opportunities to occupy the seminar slots also available to exhibitors as well as regulators and other organisations. Enter LAA2023 when you book for an additional discount on a One Day, Two Day, Three Day or Disabled Pass. When you arrive at the Gate simply show your LAA Membership Card with your ticket for entry to the Show. www.aeroexpo.co.uk/tickets student pilots from all backgrounds in achieving their flying goals. In addition, Stephen co-authored the book An Airfield Adventure, for youngsters aged 7-11, to explain what goes on at small airfields.

Stephen said: “It is a huge honour personally, but much more importantly it reflects the efforts of so many volunteers in the LAA who, like me, get so much pleasure from being part of our team, passing on our message of Flying for Fun, to future generations, from all walks of life.”

Eryl Smith, LAA Chairman said: “On behalf of the Board and Association’s membership I am delighted to congratulate Steve on his MBE award. His commitment and contribution to a wide range of aviation organisations and causes over many years, including the LAA, has furthered the interests of and participation in aviation at all levels and his award is richly deserved.”

More LAA courses

Christmas and New Year is now but a memory, but spring will, hopefully, soon be coming over the horizon. In the meantime, we have a number of courses scheduled that can remove the mystery from various aviation engineering subjects. All courses are held at the LAA’s Turweston training facility, unless otherwise stated. Fees stated are for LAA members, however, non-members are very welcome to attend for an additional fee of £20.

● Saturday 11 March Composites Course, by Rob Martin. Start 0930. Fee £160.This course will also run on Saturday 15 April.

● Sunday 26 Feb Aircraft Metal Work with Gary Smith. Start 0900. Fee £180. Dates for further courses will be announced in future.

● Saturday 4 March Rotax 912/914 (non-injection engines) with Kevin Dilks. Start 0930. Fee £140.

● Tuesday 7 March Gipsy Engines with Dennis Neville. Start 0930. Fee £120. Brian Hope bfjjodel@talktalk.net