THE LIGHT AIRCRAFT COMPANY LTD

What THE LIGHT AIRCRAFT COMPANY LTD does

The Light Aircraft Company Ltd (TLAC) is a privately held UK light aircraft manufacturer and aviation services provider, operating from Little Snoring Airfield in Norfolk. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes a portfolio of microlight and light-sport aircraft — Shark (including the new Turbo variant), Lightwing AC4 (in CS-LSA and GT glider-tug configurations), Bobcat, and the Sherwood line (Scout, Ranger, KUB) — built from 4130 Chrome Moly steel tube, aircraft-grade aluminium, and Oratex fabric covering systems. TLAC is also the sole UK importer for the Comco Ikarus C42 and the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for E-Prop propellers.

TLAC holds multiple CAA and EASA approvals (A8-1, BCAR, Part M Subpart G/F, Part CAO with CAMO rights UK.CAO.0057) and operates a CAA/BMAA-approved maintenance workshop covering general aviation aircraft up to 5,700kg alongside microlight types. Beyond manufacturing, the firm runs a vertically integrated stack of recurring services: flight training to NPPL(M) licence, pre-purchase inspections, accident repairs (recognized by all major UK aviation insurers), Oratex application training, and aircraft finance brokerage through a credit partner (£25,000–£5,000,000, 80–90% LTV, up to 7-year terms).

The business operates primarily through direct aircraft sales handled personally by Director Paul Hendry-Smith, supported by a 725+ SKU e-commerce webshop for parts, spares, tools, and avionics with next-working-day dispatch, plus event-driven demand generation at AERO Friedrichshafen, Microlight Trade Fair Popham, SleapKosh, and a TLAC Open Day. Customer mix centers on UK private individual pilots, flight schools, and aero clubs with international reach into Ireland, Germany, and broader Europe via the E-Prop and C42 distribution rights.

Name

THE LIGHT AIRCRAFT COMPANY LTD

Legal name

The Light Aircraft Company Ltd

Website

https://g-tlac.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UK-based light aircraft manufacturer and aviation services provider operating from Little Snoring Airfield, Norfolk. Designs, builds, and distributes microlight and light-sport aircraft (Shark, AC4, Bobcat, Sherwood, C42), E-Prop propellers, and Oratex coverings, while running CAA-approved maintenance, NPPL(M) flight training, and finance brokerage for private pilots, flight schools, and aero clubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Light Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Aircraft (3721), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)

Keywords

• Light aircraft manufacturing
• Microlight aircraft
• Flight training services
• Aircraft maintenance
• General aviation

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Snoring, Fakenham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Sales: Sales of manufactured and distributed aircraft including Shark, Bobcat, C42 variants, AC4, Sherwood Scout, Sherwood Ranger, Sherwood KUB. Both new and used aircraft available. Finance packages offered through credit brokerage.
2. Parts, Spares & Accessories E-commerce: 725+ products sold through online webshop including aircraft parts, tools, avionics, cleaning products, corrosion protection, engine spares, Oratex materials, and accessories. B2C and B2B sales.
3. Maintenance & Servicing: GA aircraft servicing (Piper, Cessna, Socata up to 5700kg), microlight maintenance, pre-purchase inspections, repairs, accident damage restoration. CAMO services with Part ML and CAA Part CAO approval.
4. Flight Training: NPPL(M) microlight flight training from trial flights (£149) through to full licence. Ground school, exams, and instructor-led dual instruction (£195/hr).
5. Aircraft Finance Brokerage: Aviation mortgage and finance packages through industry credit brokerage. Loans £25,000-£5,000,000, terms up to 7 years, 80-90% LTV.
6. Oratex Training Courses: Full-day Oratex application training courses accommodating maximum 5 people. Covers fabric application, adhesive bonding, shrinking techniques, and finishing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

TLAC designs, manufactures, and distributes light aircraft including the Shark, AC4 CS-LSA, Bobcat, Sherwood Scout/Ranger/KUB, and the Comco Ikarus C42 microlight line. The company also distributes E-Prop propellers and Oratex aircraft covering systems and provides CAA-approved aircraft maintenance, pre-purchase inspections, repairs, flight training to NPPL(M), and aviation finance brokerage services from its Little Snoring Airfield base in Norfolk.

Product overview

The Light Aircraft Company Ltd is a UK-based aircraft manufacturer and aviation services provider offering a portfolio of light aircraft products alongside maintenance, training, and finance services. The aircraft portfolio includes the Shark microlight series (including new Turbo variant), Lightwing AC4 (CS-LSA certified for flight training and GT glider tug variants), Bobcat training aircraft, and the Sherwood line (Scout, Ranger, KUB). The company also distributes E-Prop propellers and Oratex aircraft covering systems. Services include GA and microlight maintenance (CAA/CAMO approved), flight training to NPPL(M), pre-purchase inspections, repairs, and aircraft finance. The company operates from Little Snoring Airfield in Norfolk.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shark Microlight Aircraft 600kg MTOW tandem-seat microlight aircraft with retractable gear, in-flight adjustable propeller, autopilot, and modern cockpit with 360-degree visibility. Available in standard and Turbo variants for private owners and touring pilots.
• AC4 CS-LSA Aircraft High-wing monoplane fully certified to EASA CS-LSA standards with 600kg MTOW, powered by a Rotax 912iS fuel-injected engine delivering 11-14 L/hr fuel burn. Designed for flight schools, aero clubs, and individual aviators seeking reliable aircraft with lower maintenance costs.
• AC4 GT Glider Tug CS-LSA certified aircraft variant designed for glider towing operations with 630kg MTOW, powered by a Rotax 915iSc 141HP turbo engine. Tows gliders up to 850kg MTOW with 50% fuel reduction versus conventional tugs and 62dB noise output. Features rear-mount camera with cockpit live feed and retractable tow cable.
• Bobcat Aircraft 600kg MTOW high-wing monoplane with fixed undercarriage and conventional empennage. Features spacious cockpit with modern avionics, adjustable side-by-side seats, dual controls, electrically actuated flaps, composite gull wing doors, and is available with 80 or 100hp Rotax 912 engines.
• Sherwood Scout Aircraft Versatile two-seat side-by-side aircraft available in tailwheel or nosewheel configurations with a 44-inch wide cockpit, adjustable seats, and 500L cargo bay. Constructed from 4130 Chrome Moly steel tube with aircraft-grade aluminium. Wing fold achievable in under two minutes, suitable for farm strips and greenfield operations.
• Sherwood Ranger Aircraft Sporting biplane with open cockpit adventure configuration, tailwheel setup, and STOL performance from hard, grass, and unprepared strips. Rugged aluminium tube and steel fuselage construction, powered by modern engines 65-100hp. Available in ST Microlight, XP, and XP Aero variants with pricing from £29,500 (No VAT) for the ST variant.
• Sherwood KUB Aircraft Single-seat SSDR (Single Seat Deregulated) aircraft with fully enclosed cockpit, 300kg MTOW, and engines up to 50HP. Features two-minute wing fold capability and trailer transportability in under five minutes. Requires only a Microlight licence medical and insurance; priced at £23,000 + VAT for the G-OKUB SSDR variant.
• Comco Ikarus C42 Aircraft

Quantifiable outcome

• Fuel burn of 11-14 L/hr for AC4 vs higher consumption in traditional trainers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• E-PropcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTLAC is the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for the E-Prop range of Durandal and Excalibur propellers designed for 3-axis aircraft. These propellers are claimed to be the lightest in the world while offering ultra-strength and high performance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Comco Ikarus: German OEM of the C42 — TLAC's exclusive UK importer and reportedly the bestselling ultralight in Germany. Same microlight/LSA category, similar Rotax 912 powerplants, shared customer base in flight training and private owners.
• Lightwing Aircraft: Austrian manufacturer of the AC4 family (CS-LSA, GT glider tug) that TLAC distributes and supports in the UK. Direct OEM/partner relationship, comparable 600kg LSA category, Rotax-powered, targeted at flight schools and touring pilots.
• Tecnam: Italian manufacturer of the P2002/P2008 light aircraft used heavily in flight training globally. Same training/aero club buyer, similar Rotax/Lyc-powered two-seat LSA positioning, and significant UK/European distribution presence.
• Aerospool: Slovak manufacturer of the WT9 Dynamic light aircraft. Comparable dynamic/composite LSA product positioning, Rotax-powered, and competing for the same European flight school and private owner customers.
• BRM Aero: Czech manufacturer of the Bristell LSA family. Competes head-to-head with TLAC-distributed C42, AC4, and Shark in the European two-seat Rotax-powered LSA segment with comparable pricing and certification footprint.
• Shark Aero: Slovak/Austrian manufacturer of the Shark tandem-seat retractable-gear microlight that TLAC distributes exclusively in the UK. Directly competes in the same 600kg MTOW ultralight/club category, comparable price points and training use cases.
• Flight Design: German manufacturer of the CTLS series of CS-LSA aircraft. Direct peer in the European light sport / LSA training market with similar Rotax powertrains, EASA CS-LSA certification pathway, and aero club / flight school customer profile.
• Evektor: Czech LSA/aircraft manufacturer producing the Harmony and SportStar lines. Operates in the same EASA CS-LSA category with shared flight training and private pilot target segments across Europe.

Broad incumbents

• Diamond Aircraft: Austrian/Canadian manufacturer offering a broader portfolio (DA20/DA40/DA42) including certified light aircraft and flight-training platforms. Larger incumbent that competes indirectly via flight schools that might otherwise choose the AC4 or C42.
• Piper Aircraft: US GA manufacturer whose Piper range TLAC services under its CAMO/Part CAO authorization. Represents the legacy GA alternative against which TLAC pitches lower-cost Rotax LSA ownership to flight schools and private buyers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tlacltd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRhfjmKExJiTa0afU6NoLaQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/tlac.ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelightaircraftcompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-light-aircraft-company-ltd

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE LIGHT AIRCRAFT COMPANY LTD