Leicester East Aerodrome, 29-31st August 2025
The Light Aircraft Association, headquartered at Turweston, represents the General Aviation Community in the UK and holds its annual rally in late summer, usually blessed with fair weather so attracts a few hundred visiting aircraft from across the country. Some visitors travel across Europe, this year in particular welcomed a few from former Eastern Block nations. Unfortunately this year the weather did not cooperate with low cloud, strong winds and afternoon rain forecast every day. This limited flying visits; those with tents might manage to stay over and await the short improvements but a one day visit was more difficult. less than a hundred light aircraft turned up; hopefully 2026 will see an improvement.
Arguably the rarest aircraft was this Hindustan Pushpak of Indian origin; resident in the UK for many years but rarely seen in public. It appears in great condition and was welcomed by hundreds of enthusiasts and photographers who, naturally, made the effort to attend the rally. Hopefully this helped balance the books.
One anniversary celebrated was in honour of the famous Pitts Special aerobatic biplane. It is unusual to see so many examples in one place as, given its unique aerobatic capabilities, one example is usually enough to demonstrate its prowess in the hands of a skilful pilot.
It is clear that the world of general aviation fibreglass is slowly replacing fabric as the primary material for construction. the Evolution series clearly showed this change. These ‘plastic’ aircraft have grown in scale and instrumentation to a point where they are replacing the familiar Cessna and Piper types that have dominated flight training for many decades.
