About Us
Navboys was initially formed to respond to a demand for good customer service and technical knowledge within the UK for the latest avionics from LXNAV. The business has grown from operating an online shop out of Shaun's living room at its birth, to its current professional workshop premises on Lasham Airfield. The online shop has grown along the way, with a constantly expanding range of products, with the aim of creating a one-stop-shop for all glider pilots' needs. Since expanding our team in 2019, we now offer a wider range of services to the gliding market, on top of advice for and fitting avionics, we are now capable of carrying out annual inspections, ARC renewals and repairs on gliders.
If you would like to get in contact to see if we can help you, please visit our contact page.
Shaun Lapworth
BGA Inspector with ratings for self-sustainers + TMG
ARC Signatory
Shaun has been gliding for 17 years, has all three diamonds and is a keen club and national competition pilot. With a background in IT and an interest in navigation, starting a gliding business seemed to be a natural choice. Shaun flies from Lasham but also likes to fly in South Africa where he holds the 500km British and Continental record at 175kph. Shaun is well known for his benevolence; he will always go out of his way to assist others with issues on the grid, and has continuously shown generosity when supporting junior pilots to get the equipment they need to achieve their full potential.
BGA Inspector with ratings for self-sustainers, TMG + composite repair
ARC Signatory
Jake started gliding after a trial flight at the age of 13 with the Kent Gliding Club and has never looked back. He moved to Nympsfield when he started his Aerospace Engineering Degree at the University of Bristol. This is where he caught the bug for racing in gliders. Jake has flown over 25 competitions and represented the British Team twice, winning the Junior World Gliding Championships in 2019. Jake started to build his workshop experience at Targett Aviation. Since moving to Navboys, Jake has built up his experience specialising in avionic installations and panel rebuilds. He is well known as being a 'go-to' person on the grid and is often seen with his head inside someone else's cockpit troubleshooting at weekends and competitions alike.
BGA Inspector with ratings for self-sustainers, Jet and FES
Ollie began gliding at Grandsen Lodge in Cambridge from the age of fourteen and has gone on to develop his skill through competition flying with the Junior British Team Development Squad. He repaired gliders at Essex Sailplanes for 5 years. A valuable asset to Navboys, Ollie supports engineering tasks with a strong attention to detail and welcomes complex projects. Most importantly, he is a friendly face when you need some maintenance help.
Brad has been an avid glider pilot for many years and has flown in in the Interservices, Challenge Cup, UK Regionals as well competitions in Europe. He aspires to fly an 750km task in the UK in his Libelle and expand his gliding to the Alps. Over the years, Brad has built up an extensive knowledgebase in gliding. He is often found working on his own glider and many appreciate his readiness to provide advice or assistance. Brad is your first point of contact here at Navboys.
Merlin started gliding in 2019 at Southdown Gliding Club. She has a keen interest in aerobatics and has attended multiple aerobatic training events. In the summer of 2023, she will be flying a Standard Cirrus and aims to achieve her Silver prior to competing in her first Junior Nationals at Gransden Lodge. She supports the Navboys online shop and happily answers queries over the phone or via our email.