AGM

LAA AGM 2021

Brian Hope reports on this year’s LAA Annual General Meeting…

The 2021 AGM of the Light Aircraft Association Limited took place on 24 October and for the first time featured a joint in person and virtual presence. Attendance in the Sywell Hangar 2 conference centre totalled 42 people, with 37 ‘attending’ virtually via Zoom. For a first attempt the system worked fairly well, although we apologise to those on Zoom who had problems with sound quality.

Coupled to this were around 70 postal/proxy votes, meaning around 150 members engaged directly with the AGM. It is a pity that more of the membership don’t take an active interest in the running of their Association but, taking a more positive spin, maybe that is because we are generally happy with the manner in which it is run.

The day’s business

The two Motions, both relating to the time period required for Motions to be submitted prior to the AGM, the adoption of the 2020 Statutory Accounts, and the election of Just Audit as auditors of the Company, were passed comfortably.

The result of the board election saw the re-election of Dave Millin, Marcus de Ferranti and Eryl Smith, plus the election of previous members John Brady and Brian Davies, and new members Christopher Holliday and Ian Sweetland. This is good news as it means we now have a full complement of Board members, as for the past couple of years the board has had only seven members.

For anybody who wants to read the Chairman’s Report, the Treasurer’s Report or the CEO’s Overview, they can be downloaded from the LAA website at www.laa.uk.com .

Presentation of awards

The presentation of well-deserved LAA Service and Rally winners’ awards, presented by LAA Chairman Tim Hardy, was actually made prior to the AGM business.

Because last year’s AGM was restricted to a Zoom event, 2020 Service Award winners were unable to receive their awards, but the recipients’ names will be included on the engraved trophies, and are included in italics at the end of each award.

The Lois Parker Trophy for distinguished service in an administrative function, was presented to Harry Hopkins for his 30 years’ service as founder and past chairman of the Gloster Strut, work at the Rally, RV Squadron member, Executive Committee member of the PFA and former board member of the LAA. 2020: Alan Nixon, for his long service and support for the LAA NE Strut. Malcolm McBride received the Frank Hounslow Trophy for service to LAA in engineering. For over 10 years he contributed his in-depth Safety Spot articles in the LAA magazine explaining the causes of failures and constructive information. 2020: LAA Inspector Dave Allan, for his engineering support to Vale of York Strut members.

Rally Trophy winners included

The President’s Joystick for services to the Rally was presented to Sean Cantwell, a long term LAA Rally volunteer, who always joins in with every part of the pre-rally build up, as well as assisting with car parking duties and other areas.

The Pete Clarke for a major contribution to flight safety goes to Paul Fraser-Bennison, Chris Thompson and the Rally A/G Radio Team who, within just six weeks, put together a team of A/G radio staff to provide a radio service which safely supported the arrival of 700+ aircraft at the 2021 LAA Rally. 2020: Tim Palmer for his flying and coaching videos on his much watched ‘Jodel Flyer’ YouTube channel.

The Faulkner-Bryant Shield for the most active Strut or person within the Strut system went to Tony Palmer, for his work with the LAA Southern Strut as an inspector and aircraft restorer, for his fly-ins at his Palmer’s Farm air strip, and his support for Bristell owners across the UK. 2020: Anne Hughes, for her work with Struts4U in the magazine, her Strut Celebration publication and LAA online young people’s art competitions during lockdown.

The Roderick Turner Award for the person who has contributed most to Flying for Fun was for 2021 awarded to Eryl Smith, for his work as chairman of the LAA Rally Committee. 2020: Neil Wilson for his leadership of the Wessex Strut, planning LAA Tours, magazine photography and much more!

The Air Squadron Trophy

for the best plans-built went to Richard Teverson for his Isaacs Spitfire G-CLMC.

Geoffrey Leedham won the RAA Canada Trophy for the best kit-built aircraft, his Kitfox Mk7 G-CLML.

The Albert Codling Trophy

for best part-built aircraft went to Richard Vary for his plans built Nieuport G-CLPN.

The Europa Trophy went to Alan Twigg for his Europa Motor-glider, G-GIWT, the first to be completed in the UK.

Glen Molloy collected the Roy Mills Trophy for Best Classic with his L18C Piper Cub, G-BJTP.

John Brady and his Inspector, Alan Hartfield, collected the Nowicki Trophy for best Van’s and also received a Commendation in the Best Kit built category for the Van’s RV-8 G-RUVE.

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