Mike Pearson • 8 April 2023

Friday 18th to Sunday 20th August 2023

 

The LAA is returning to the greengrass of Popham Aerodrome in Hampshire for a repeat of its “Grass Roots Fly In”from 18th to 20th August 2023. The Fly-In will again onone hand take the Associate back to its traditional roots, while continuing to offer the first chance to see some of the latest aircraft and products in therecreational aviation market.


What was particularly notable about the 2022 Popham event was itssociality. Both LAA members and exhibitors alike commented on its relaxed andfriendly atmosphere, with post-event comments such as “It’s a greatreunion as well as a fly-in–cum trade show” and “super friendly, the eventalways had a good vibe”.

A joint venture with PophamAerodrome, the LAA Grass Roots Fly In will develop its strengths as a socialevent bringing flyers from around the UK and Europe to meet fellow enthusiasts.The grass runways at Popham and the airfield’s famed rural ambience will meanthat the event will focus on the fly-in and social element as much as on alarge exhibition campus. The earlier mid-August date will also mean longerevenings, allowing more scope for flyers from further afield and hopefully,milder conditions for those who choose to ‘camp under the wing’.

Said LAA CEO designate SimonTilling: “The LAA Grass Roots Fly In was a great success last year, with over 3,000 visitors, more than 30exhibitors and a total of 350 visiting aircraft through the weekend. It isa different event to the past, larger scale LAA Rallies and we’re working onplans for the continuation of a larger scale LAA event in the future. For thisyear, we’re looking forward to another great, social and fun, LAA fly in”.

The UK Light AircraftAssociation is Britain’s biggest powered sport flying organisation with over 7,600members, who fly over 2,700 different aircraft ranging from vintagerestorations to state-of-the-art homebuilt types. The Association’s motto is‘Affordable Flying For Fun’.

 

To book tickets and for further details please visit www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk

 

2025 events hit new heights

by Emily Mason • 11 June 2025
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Popham’s summer evening BBQs off to a flying start!

by Emily Mason • 23 May 2025
A regular favourite of many a Popham supporter, the evening fly-in on 23rd May kicked off the BBQ season with a bang. Despite the weather threatening to dampen our spirits in the days leading up to the event, on the day, it stayed dry, if a little blustery and chilly for those braving it without a jacket!

Popham Events: Behind the Scenes

by Emily Mason • 10 December 2024
As you can imagine, a lot goes into planning the Popham events, but it’s not something many see, so here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes from this year’s goings-on... 1. Early starts (and late nights!) Inevitably, the team sometimes needs to work long days coming up to and during the events. Starts can be as early as 6am to meet with traders and exhibitors entering the site, and once the show closes, we have to make sure the site is clean and tidy for the next day’s activities. Sometimes (as with the Microlight Trade Show and Classic Car Show) we run back to back events – so the new setup has to be turned around between one show closing at 4pm and the next one opening at 10am the next day, which can be a bit full on! It is however lovely to witness the airfield early on a misty morning.
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