Stephen Slater, became Chief Executive officer of the Light Aircraft Association on 1st September 2015, working on behalf of around 7,500 members who operate over 4,000 sport aircraft and retired from the role in 2023.
Stephen joined the Association from a successful career in PR and marketing communications where he ran a leading agency working in sectors including aviation, the motor industry and tourism, both in the UK and in Asia. He was for 15 years ‘the voice of Formula One’ in the Far East, working as commentator with the Singapore-based Star Sports TV channel. He was also part of the team which created the Singapore Grand Prix, Formula One’s first-ever night race.
Stephen has been actively involved in the light aviation community for around 20 years, including spells as Chairman of the Vintage Aircraft Club and Vice-Chairman of the General Aviation Awareness Council. His roots in flying go back to being a 14 year-old ‘hangar brat’ in the 1970s at the Middleton St. George Aero Club, at what is now Durham Tees Valley Airport, but like many he then spent time away from flying before returning when commitments allowed.
Stephen, who lives in Chesham in Buckinghamshire, owns and flies a Piper J-3 Cub based at Bicester and is co-owner and co-restorer of the ‘Biggles Biplane’, a replica 1914 BE-2c Royal Flying Corps observation biplane.