Home So who are we then?
We are a gathering of light aviation enthusiasts ranging from the just interested to professional pilots. Meetings are held monthly in a local pub in an informal atmosphere where members come together to chat about aviation topics. So if your interest includes aircraft spotting, building an aircraft in your garage, operating your own aeroplane, or enjoying flying a hired one then you can feel at home here. We welcome new members, so do come along. Our meetings are a great opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss aircraft building problems, to plan an epic group flight to some far off place, or to talk about some interesting aviation experience. However we do more than that. For most meetings a speaker is invited to give a talk on some aviation topic. Subjects, generally illustrated, can include unusual or adventurous flying journeys, technical topics, navigation and flight planning, aviation museums, the weather, air traffic control etc.
For the winter we organise various social events including a dinner, and in the summer at least one barbecue, to both of which partners and friends are invited to come. This year we are organising a number of 'Fly outs' for which members who have aeroplanes can take along non flying members, partners or friends, to meet at some airfield fifty or more miles away. Each year we organise a 'Young Aviators' day, which is an arrangement by which members with aircraft can introduce young people to the pleasures and excitement of flight by offering to take them in their aeroplanes. A similar event for terminally ill young people and their siblings (Helen House) and also for carers is often organised. These events have proved to be very popular. Venues for these events have been Oxford Airport and Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield. The main event for the Light Aircraft Association is the Rally, which usually takes place at Sywell Airfield. There are many stands with suppliers, demonstrations of construction techniques as well as hundreds of visitors flying in.
The Oxford Branch was set up in 1972, then called a "Strut" of the Popular Flying Association (PFA), and over the years members have met at a variety of venues. Our current meeting place is at the Foxcombe Lodge Hotel, Boars Hill, Oxford. We generally meet every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 8.00 pm. The Oxford Branch is one of a number of Branches of the LAA dotted around the country. Each Branch although self governing, is a member of the Light Aircraft Association (LAA). Many of our members are also members of the LAA, particularly those that are building their own aeroplanes, or are operating 'Permit To Fly' types. The Civil Aviation Authority ( CAA ) has granted the right to the LAA to certify home built, and certain other aircraft. The LAA then in turn through a network of experienced inspectors supervise home construction, and pilot maintenance of Permit To Fly aircraft. The devoted enthusiasm of constructors and owners of such aircraft results in a very high standard of workmanship being maintained. For those pilots who need their licences revalidating, wish to learn how to fly a tail dragger, operate from small strips or convert to a new type, the LAA has a Pilot Coaching Scheme with coaches available in most places around the country. For more details about the LAA and the Pilot Coaching Scheme see the main LAA website at www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk or the PCS page at www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/PCS/pcs.html
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