ABOVE: The annual LAA Rally will be returning to Popham for 2023

The annual Light Aircraft Association ‘Grass Roots Fly In’ will be returning to Popham Aerodrome from Friday 18 to 20 August 2023, the LAA has confirmed.

Building on the success of last year’s event – combining over 3,000 visitors, more than 30 exhibitors and a total of 350 visiting aircraft – this year’s show will take the Association “back to its traditional roots, while continuing to offer the first chance to see some of the latest aircraft and products in the recreational market”.

Although CEO designate Simon Tilling noted that this year’s gathering would be a “different event to the past, larger scale LAA rallies”, it’s hoped that the “famed rural ambience” of Popham, Hampshire will help develop the three-day Rally as “a social event bringing flyers from around the UK and Europe to meet fellow enthusiasts”.

The longer evenings afforded by this year’s earlier August date will also benefit those arriving from further afield, and those choosing to camp under the wing should hopefully also benefit from milder conditions.

Despite noting plans “for the continuation of a larger scale LAA event in the Future”, Simon Tilling concluded that “for this year, we’re looking forward to another great, social and fun, LAA fly in”.

IMAGE: POPHAM