LAA Grass Roots Fly-in at Popham

The grass runways at Popham and the airfield’s famed rural ambience will mean that the event will focus on the fly-in and social element as much as on a large exhibition campus.

LAA CEO Steve Slater adds, “We’re still working on plans for a larger scale LAA event in the future, but for now our move from Sywell is a great opportunity for us to focus on creating a refreshing new take on the traditional LAA calendar fixture, something both different, and at the same time taking us back to our roots.

The LAA is heading for the green grass of Popham Airfield in Hampshire for a new event on 2, 3 and 4 September 2022. The LAA Grass Roots Fly-in will take the Association back to its traditional roots, while continuing to offer the first chance to see some of the latest aircraft and products in the recreational aviation market.

Comings and goings

Two key members of LAA staff are moving on in the coming weeks. While it is sad that they are going, I’m sure that we’ll wish a heartfelt ‘thank you’ and ‘good luck’ to both

Ken Craigie, below, has announced that he will retire from the post of Chief Inspector later this summer. Ken has been with the LAA and PFA for 31 years, having joined the team at Shoreham in January 1991. His encyclopaedic knowledge of both the LAA fleet and the team of more 350 Inspectors, most of whom he personally recruited, has been a major asset to the

A joint venture with Popham Airfield, the LAA Grass Roots Fly-in will continue the theme of the recent LAA Rallies at Sywell, in particular as a social event bringing flyers from around the UK and Europe to meet fellow enthusiasts. The event, though, will be developed on a more intimate scale.

Association. If anyone is interested in this important role, please take a look at the recruitment advert opposite.

Having kept the LAA on track for five years our bookkeeper, Wendy Herdman, left, is leaving us. We will certainly miss Wendy’s input, not least because she contributes more than just bookkeeping, including assisting with financial planning and wider advice. We’ve already initiated a recruitment process and a new recruit will join us shortly.

Finally, we’ll have a new face in our Engineering team from the beginning of May. Andy O’Dell will join us as an Airworthiness Engineer, bringing extensive military and civilian experience covering a wide range of aircraft. We’ll leave it to Andy to tell us more of his past and future plans, in next month’s Light Aviation magazine.

“The LAA Grass Roots Fly-in will make the most of Popham’s grass runways and its reputation as one of the most friendly and enthusiastic airfields in the country, to offer members and guests alike a great weekend at the start of September.”

Plus – Meet the LAA at Aero Expo: The LAA Exhibition trailer will be at the centre of a display of LAA aircraft and suppliers at Kemble on 16-18 June. The LAA is negotiating discounted ticket prices for members. More details will be released in the June issue of LA

Working in Aluminium courses restart

The extremely popular Working in Aluminium courses, hosted by Van’s RV-9 builder Gary Smith will be restarting in the new LAA Training Centre. Teaching the skills required to build an all-metal aircraft, with an emphasis on the Van’s RV series, participants will build the RV Toolbox, an ‘apprentice piece’ developed by Van’s to take the new builder through the required practices – cutting, drilling, dimpling, deburring, use of clecos, riveting etc., so they can commence their kit build. The skills taught are relevant to all aluminium type aircraft.

Two dates are currently available, Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May. Cost is £150 per person which includes the toolbox kit and the use of all required tools. Email office@laa.uk.com or call 01280 846786 (ext. 2) to book a place.

Eshott plans for future

Plans have been revealed for a development called Hangar 57, at Eshott Airfield, which will be a flying aircraft museum and heritage skills development in partnership with Hartlepool College of Further Education.

In a post to its Facebook page, the Eshott team said, “The idea of constructing a dedicated heritage hangar at Eshott has been a concept that we have been developing over several years. As our collection of interesting aeroplanes has been growing, so has the interest in what we are doing by both aviation enthusiasts and the general public alike.

“With many local schools, groups, and families visiting it became clear an exhibition space would soon be needed. The airfield has reclaimed a former WWII blister hangar, and will form the main space which is to be used for private events along with our well-known themed charity nights.

“Our next challenge will be to raise the many thousands of pounds required to submit permission to Northumberland County Council for this STEM development.” www.facebook.com/eshottaerodrome/

Engineering –Chief Inspector

Due to the imminent retirement of the current incumbent, we are recruiting a new Chief Inspector for the LAA’s CAA-approved A8-26 organisation, which now administers a fleet of 4,000+ aircraft owned by LAA members.

Main duties will be leading, recruiting, training, disseminating information to, and liaising with, the 350+ team of LAA Inspectors within the UK who deal with light aircraft construction, restoration, embodiment of modifications and repairs, certification of aircraft maintenance and airworthiness reviews in relation to the issue of Certificates of Validity. The role will also involve working closely with the CAA, AAIB and other aviation bodies.

The applicant must demonstrate experience in appropriate aspects of general aviation, including a thorough knowledge of airframes, engines, modern avionics and aircraft systems. A knowledge of vintage and classic aircraft, as well as newer LAA types would be advantageous, as would being a current LAA Inspector and / or a licensed aircraft engineer.

Candidates must be IT competent and familiar with Microsoft Office. Excellent communication skills are required and attention to detail is essential. Training on in-house systems will be given.

This is a full-time post, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. It is principally based at LAA’s Turweston HQ, but also involves travel throughout the UK. Salary dependent on experience. Please send your CV to office@laa.uk.com