At the LAA's request for a Europa Buyers Guide, the Club committee responded with the attached article - which was published in the October 2026 edition. Reproduced here by kind permission of Ed Hicks, its Editor
Clive Sutton
Responsibilities:
a) Progressing Committee-selected builder Modifications to Standard MOD level with the UK LAA,
b) Ensuring website information about Europa Modifications for both marques are as accurate as possible and accessible to the Worldwide Membership through the website
c) Holding/managing the Clubs’ Loaned Tool Cache
Flying & Europa experience to date
Clive has >500hrs in his UK SEP PPL(A) logbook now, of which 135 are Mono and 170 are TriGear – this in addition to experience in PA28 and PA28R, Bulldog, C172, C152, Islander, Caravan (Uganda) and PA18 Cub including floats – and has a night rating. Clive has gone solo in winch-launched K13 and K8 Gliders.
Flying ambitions
Touring that visits offshore islands - and (when funds allow) uprating his Classic XS FFwd to a set of MG wings, is also of interest.
Relevant skills & experience
After a 7-year stint in the RAF in ground Engineering from 1978, Clive worked in a number of Consulting companies specialising in Noise and Vibration troubleshooting, before working in a Senior Mgt role in Corus Automotive (now Tata Steel). He retired in 2018 but subsequently returned to work 2D/week at a Part-145/Part-CAO and BCAR A8-23 & 25 Aircraft maintenance facility - in support of his BMAA and LAA Inspector applications. These authorisations were awarded in 2023 and 2024 - including amongst other types, for Composite Airframe types.
Clive has considerable experience in navigating the LAA system that regulates Modifications – indeed has created a number of Europa-specific Modifications (14179 Alternative positioned Mono brake Master Cylinder, 14467 Tunnel-top fuel tap, 14588 Mono 135-degree enclosed Mudguard, 15339 Coolant Radiator Fan + Inspection door vent & 13072 Forward-facing Conspicuity light). In his Modifications Secretary role, Clive meets regularly with Andy Draper at the LAA to help progress the transition of existing Prototype MODs to Standard MOD status (Mono Gear lock spring [10755] & Rotary Vents [12871], are examples).
Locality
Having lived, travelled or worked in most of the World (Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA), Clive now lives in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK: about an hour’s drive from the LAA’s HQ at Turweston in the UK Midlands.
Contact: CliveSutton@theeuropaclub.org
