3 September 2024
The 2024 Light Aircraft Association (LAA) Rally at Leicester Airport last weekend was a huge success according to those who attended – and also those who made it happen.
The FLYER team was there and produced a video from the first day (see below), and the social media feedback across many accounts has been positive.
The LAA said more than 700 aircraft of over 100 different types and thousands of visitors from all over the UK and abroad attended the event, held at Leicester Airport for the first time in more than 40 years.
More than 700 aircraft visited the LAA Rally. Photo: Ed Hicks
Simon Tilling, CEO of the LAA, said, “It’s been a fantastic event! We have had so much positive feedback from all our visitors, exhibitors, traders and guests about the event, the location and the organisation.
“I would like to thank all the companies and organisations that supported us by exhibiting, Leicestershire Aero Club for hosting the Rally at such a superb location and their team of volunteers who ran the weekend in such a friendly and enthusiastic way.
“The North Weald Marshallers and all the Air/Ground radio team also did a tremendous job ensuring the safety and smooth running of the airside operations for upwards of 1,500 movements.
“I would also like to thank all the Rally volunteers and the LAA team that have worked tirelessly over many months to help make a spectacular return for the event.
“We are going to take a day off, then the planning starts for 2025.
“The LAA Rally is back!”
Two of the exhibitors at the LAA Rally had exciting news. First, Dragon Aviation has been approved by the CAA as an A8 aircraft manufacturer which means it can offer its Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen as a factory-built ready-to-fly 600kg microlight through the LAA.
Parts for the Vixxen aircraft are made in Ukraine by Aeroprakt – despite the war – and then the aircraft is assembled in the UK by Ray Everitt of Dragon Aviation (also known as Foxbat Aviation).
Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen – now available as a factory-built 600kg microlight
Second, Skyleader’s Ashok Aliseril, confirmed that the Skyleader 400 is “almost there” with approval by the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) as a ready-to-fly 600kg microlight.
The Skyleader 600, with retractable undercarriage, will follow in 2025.
All-metal Skyleader 400 soon to be approved by the BMAA as a 600kg microlight
