Light Aircraft Association

Light Aircraft Association UK’s principal representative body for amateur-built and vintage light aircraft.

That’s a wrap on the 80th Anniversary Rally!On behalf of the entire Light Aircraft Association, a massive and heartfelt ...
06/09/2026

That’s a wrap on the 80th Anniversary Rally!

On behalf of the entire Light Aircraft Association, a massive and heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this landmark weekend so special.

Celebrating 80 years of grassroots aviation with hundreds of aircraft on the flightline and thousands of you packing the showground was nothing short of unforgettable.

An event of this scale takes an extraordinary team effort, and we owe immense gratitude to everyone who worked so hard:

- Our Marshals & Flightline Crews: Out on the grass and tarmac managing high-density movements and keeping everyone safe with absolute professionalism.

- Our Invaluable Volunteers: Directing traffic, scanning passes, answering countless questions with a smile, and cleaning up behind the scenes - you are the engine that drives this association.

- Leicestershire Aero Club & Airport Staff: For opening your airfield to us once again, providing outstanding operational support, and keeping the air traffic flowing smoothly throughout.

- Traders, Exhibitors & Speakers: For filling the marquees with expertise, the latest kit and tech, and inspiring the next generation of builders and pilots.

- LAA HQ & Event Team: For the months of late nights, logistical gymnastics, and tireless work on to pull off this very special anniversary Rally.

- Our Members and Visitors: Whether you flew in for the weekend, camped under the wing, or drove in for the day to share in the camaraderie, thank you for bringing your passion, stories, and stunning aircraft.

We’ll be sharing photo galleries and rally highlights over the coming days... Got a favourite memory or photo from the weekend? Drop your best shots in the comments below.

Photos: Ed Hicks

06/09/2026

The airfield is buzzing and there is still plenty of time to get here!

​From up here, you can see just how packed the flightline is for Day 3 of the LAA Rally. Rows of incredible homebuilts, vintage gems, and microlights are parked up, engine notes are filling the air, and the atmosphere on the grass is electric.

​Gates and exhibition hangars are open throughout the afternoon. Whether you want to catch the departures, browse the trade stands, grab a bite, or simply stand by the fence and soak in the arrivals, today is your last chance until next year.

​Pack your camera, jump in the car, and head down to the flightline - we'll see you on the grass! 🛩️

​ FlyIn

Heading into the final day of the LAA Rally? Don't leave without dropping by to see LAS Aerospace! 🛩️​Today is your last...
06/09/2026

Heading into the final day of the LAA Rally? Don't leave without dropping by to see LAS Aerospace! 🛩️

​Today is your last chance this weekend to connect directly with the team at LAS, our fantastic sponsors of the Homebuilders Tent.

​Whether you’re in the middle of a project, planning your very first build, or just hunting down hardware, tools, and expert advice for maintenance season, the LAS stand is the place to be.

- ​Expert Advice: Chat directly with the team about parts sourcing, materials, and workshop essentials.

- ​Support Your Build: Pick up those last-minute fittings, hardware, or supplies before you fly or drive home.

- ​Homebuilders Hub: Check out the incredible ongoing projects on display and see what our building community has been creating.

​A massive thank you to LAS Aerospace for their continued support of the homebuilding community and making the tent a standout feature of the Rally.

​Make sure to stop by, say hello, and pick their brains before the marquees close down for another year!

​📍 Homebuilders Marquee

Safe flights and safe travels to everyone attending today! ✈️🔧

06/09/2026

It’s the final day of the LAA Rally 2026!

If you haven’t made it over to Leicester Airport yet, today is your last chance to experience the UK’s biggest celebration of recreational flying and 80 years of the Light Aircraft Association.

Whether you’re arriving by air or driving in, there is still plenty to see and do before departures get underway this afternoon:

- The Aircraft Park: Get up close with hundreds of homebuilt, vintage, and classic aircraft spanning eight decades of sport aviation.

- Homebuilder & Trade Marquees: Meet the LAA engineering team, catch hands-on build demonstrations, speak directly with suppliers and manufacturers, and pick up some last-minute kit, tools, avionics deals, or LAA merchandise.

- Speakers’ Corner: Join today’s technical talks, forums, and Q&A sessions with LAA leadership and industry experts.

Visiting Information:

Airfield: Leicester Airport (EGBG)
Driving in? Free car parking is available on site.
Flying out? Please ensure you check in with flight briefings, follow departure slot procedures, and maintain good airmanship as traffic picks up later today.

Thank you to our volunteers, marshals, Leicestershire Aero Club, and everyone who has made this anniversary weekend so memorable.

Let’s make the final day the best one yet. Fly safe, travel well, and enjoy the day ✈️

🎈 Celebrating 80 Glorious Years! 🎈​As you all know, 2026 marks eight decades of the LAA promoting, supporting, and enabl...
05/09/2026

🎈 Celebrating 80 Glorious Years! 🎈

​As you all know, 2026 marks eight decades of the LAA promoting, supporting, and enabling affordable sports flying.

This incredible milestone is a testament to the passion and commitment of everyone involved – from our dedicated volunteers and inspectors to every single member who has taken to the skies in an LAA-approved aircraft.

​We hope we've managed to capture the joyful spirit of our special celebration this weekend. It's an occasion to look back with pride on all we've achieved together and to look forward with excitement to the future of light aviation.

​Here's to the next 80 years of:

​🛠️ Supporting homebuilders and aircraft restorers
​🤝 Fostering a vibrant community of aviation enthusiasts
​✈️ Promoting safety and technical excellence
​🌍 Preserving the joy and accessibility of affordable flight

Join us for the last day of the 2026 LAA Rally tomorrow as we continue to celebrate this very special milestone 🥳

Make sure to drop by the official LAA merchandise stand at the Rally this weekend!Whether you’re looking to refresh your...
05/09/2026

Make sure to drop by the official LAA merchandise stand at the Rally this weekend!

Whether you’re looking to refresh your flying wardrobe or grab a keepsake from the weekend, we’ve got you covered:

- Official Apparel: Brand-new polo shirts, softshell jackets, hoodies, and caps -perfect for the airfield breeze.

- Flight Bag Essentials: High-vis vests, checklists, pilot logbooks, and embroidered keyrings.

- Gifts & Souvenirs: Limited-edition Rally patches, mugs, metal signs, and badges for your flight bag or hangar wall.

Our team will be on hand all weekend to help you pick out the right sizes and chat about all things light aviation. Stock always moves fast, especially in the popular sizes, so swing by before your favourites fly off the hangers!

Some of the winning youngsters of our Design a Poster competition collecting their prizes 🥳
05/09/2026

Some of the winning youngsters of our Design a Poster competition collecting their prizes 🥳

License to Thrill: Little Nellie is at the LAA Rally TODAY ONLY! 🚁🎬Cinema and aviation royalty has officially landed at ...
05/09/2026

License to Thrill: Little Nellie is at the LAA Rally TODAY ONLY! 🚁🎬

Cinema and aviation royalty has officially landed at Leicester Airfield for one day only. Come face-to-face with an authentic British icon before she departs:

- 007 Pedigree: See the genuine Wallis WA-116 autogyro (G-ARZB) that stole the show in You Only Live Twice, complete with its iconic modified McCulloch engine.

- Flown by a Legend: Piloted on screen by pioneer and stunt double RAF Wg Cmdr Ken Wallis MBE, who flew over 300 displays in this exact aircraft and claimed 34 world records during his career.

- Wallis Collection: A second historic autogyro from the Wallis collection is alongside Little Nellie today.

- Exclusive Memorabilia: Pick up official merchandise and collector's items at the display, with all proceeds directly supporting the ongoing preservation of this historic fleet.

She won't be here tomorrow, so make sure to head over and see this piece of film and flight history in person before today's gates close!

📍 LAA Rally | Leicester Airfield | Saturday, 5th September

05/09/2026

Day 2 of the LAA Rally is officially open! 🛩️✨

The flight line is packed, engines are turning over, and the arrivals just keep rolling in. If you’re on the airfield today, make sure to:

- Walk the flight lines: From immaculate vintage restorations to brand-new homebuilt kitplanes, there is incredible craftsmanship everywhere you look.

- Catch the workshops & talks: Head over to the marquees for practical demos, technical insights, and maintenance Q&As with the engineering team.

- Browse the exhibition hangar: Great deals on avionics, tooling, hardware, and kit supplies, plus a chance to chat directly with manufacturers.

- Catch up with old friends: Grab a coffee, watch the overhead circuit, and swap hangar stories.

Fly safe if you're arriving today, keep a sharp lookout in the overhead join, and make the most of the flying weather.

What’s been your highlight of the Rally so far? Drop your photos below! 👇

Smiles all round after a fantastic opening day at the LAA Rally! The flight lines filled up steadily as arrivals touched...
04/09/2026

Smiles all round after a fantastic opening day at the LAA Rally! The flight lines filled up steadily as arrivals touched down, setting the stage for what is already shaping up to be an incredible weekend of grassroots aviation.

​Day 1 Highlights

- ​The Flight Line: A brilliant mix of kit builds, vintage classics, and permit aircraft parked up wingtip to wingtip. Everything from sleek modern tourers to pristine fabric taildraggers drew crowds along the taxiways.

- ​The Marquees: Trade stands, avionics displays, and tool suppliers were buzzing with builders comparing notes, trading build logs, and checking out the latest glass-panel options.

- ​Rally Community: The best part of Friday is always catching up with fellow pilots and builders over a brew, hearing restoration updates, and soaking in the smell of avgas and fresh grass!

​With two full days still to go, the weekend is just getting started:

- ​Bigger arrival waves scheduled throughout Saturday morning.

- ​Speaker forums, workshops, and engineering demos running all day.

- ​Evening banter and entertainment as the flying winds down.

​Blue skies ahead! Rest up tonight and get ready for Day 2!

Address

Turweston Aerodrome
Brackley
NN135YD

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