The Highlight of the GA Calendar

Previewing the LAA Rally 2026 at Leicester Airport Category

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The 2026 LAA Rally is confirmed for early September, marking a highlight in the UK GA calendar. Our guide features the best fly-ins, trade shows, and airshows for the upcoming season to help you plan your cross-country trips and social sorties.

Mark your calendars: the LAA Rally is returning to Leicester Airport (EGBG) from September 4th to 6th, 2026. As the premier event for the UK's "Permit to Fly" community, the 2026 Rally is expected to see record numbers following the success of the previous year.

Leicester, with its central location and excellent grass and hard runways, provides the perfect stage for hundreds of homebuilt, vintage, and classic aircraft.

New for 2026 is the "Innovation Zone," showcasing the latest in electric propulsion and hydrogen-fuel-cell GA projects currently being trialed in the UK. There will also be an expanded "Fleamarket" for those hunting for hard-to-find parts for their Jodel, RV, or Auster. For pilots flying in, remember that slot booking is mandatory and usually opens in early July. The arrival procedures are precise—expect a "Stoughton Arrival" and be ready for high-density traffic.

Even if you don't fly in, the Rally is the best place to talk to inspectors, meet other builders, and attend seminars on everything from fabric covering to advanced avionics installation. It is the spiritual home of "affordable" flying in the UK.