SPECIAL FEATURE

Celebrating 75 years…

Having missed a year due to the Covid pandemic, the Light Aircraft Association’s Rally made a triumphant return to deliver three great days of light aviation, attracting over 700 aircraft – and more than 3,000 visitors. A perfect way to celebrate its 75th anniversary!

Ed Hicks

29 September 2021

Twenty-somethings, Bruce Buglass, Ben Gilmore and Tom Beever flew their Taylor Monoplanes in from Sleap, proving that great fun is available for a tiny budget!

There were 113 Van’s Aircraft RV’s of various types on display, but for the first time in the UK there were two ‘first of the line’ RV-3s out of the three UK airworthy examples. Owned by Rob Hatwell and Ed Hicks, they proudly headed up the rest of the RV parking

A proud Rally debut for the prototype Beagle Pup 100, G-AVDF is testament to the supreme efforts of the team that have returned this unique piece of British aviation history to flight, while retaining it’s unique time-capsule cockpit just the way it was when testing finished in May 1969. ‘DF was in great company with the prototype Beagle Pup 150, G-AVLN

Ivan Shaw’s ISA180 Seeker has flown three times, and Ivan is currently chasing some cooling issues. More testing is planned. Watch our video for a full update

HM293 Flying Flea was flown to the PFA Sywell Rally in 1971 by builder Bill Cole. Following 30 years in storage the aircraft is now being restored to flying condition

The Sling Aircraft Sling TSI is currently the most popular four-seat kit when we took a look at the last couple of year’s of new homebuilt project registrations made with the LAA. Sling UK agent and LAA Chairman Tim Hardy’s new demonstrator aircraft, G-OTSI is currently in flight test ahead of gaining a full UK approval for the type. Power is from a Rotax 915iS

Four Van’s Aircraft RV-14s are now flying in the UK, and the first of the type to make a Rally debut was Robbie Jones’ freshly tested, and appropriately registered, G-XIVA. This is Robbie’s second project, his first was an RV-9A.

John and Denise Brady worked for over 10 years to build their Van’s RV-8, G-RUVE. Their efforts were rewarded with the Andy Nowicki trophy for Best Van’s RV for this very crisply finished machine. The aircraft was also commended for best kitbuilt

The first KFA Safari to be completed and flown in the UK was displayed by UK agent Graham Smith of Sprite Aviation. Originally from South Africa, power is from a VZ Turbo Rotax conversion, that delivers 120hp. Click to watch our interview to find out more…

Winner of the RAA Canada trophy for best Kitbuilt aircraft was this Kitfox Mk.7 built by Geoffrey Leedham. Geoffrey learned to rib stitch for the project, which was also painted in his garage at home | Photo: Dave Campion

Alan Twigg started building his Europa Motorglider in January 2000, and despite come challenges like the bankruptcy of the company, and three years work to complete the motorglider wing installation (Alan is the first customer to finish and fly a Europa Motorglider) he’s enjoying the end result which won Best Europa

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