- Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)
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Civil Aviation Authority 
Abbreviation CAA Formation 1972 Legal status Government-owned corporation Purpose/focus Air travel in the UK Location Islington, London Borough of Islington Region served UK Membership Air travel companies and operators Chief Executive Andrew Haines Main organ CAA Board Website www.caa.co.uk The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the United Kingdom. The CAA head office is located in the CAA House on Kingsway in Holborn, London Borough of Camden.[1] The CAA Safety Regulation Group is in the Aviation House in Gatwick Airport in Crawley, England.[2]
Contents
History
The CAA was established in 1972, under the terms of the Civil Aviation Act 1971, following the recommendations of a government committee chaired by Sir Ronald Edwards.[3] Previously, regulation of aviation was the responsibility of the Air Registration Board. The current main Act of Parliament regulating aviation in the UK is the Civil Aviation Act 1982. Responsibility for air traffic control in the UK passed to NATS in the run-up to the establishment of its public-private partnership in 2001.
Structure
The CAA employs just over 1,000 staff, mainly in two offices, CAA House in Kingsway, Holborn in London and Aviation House, next to London Gatwick Airport. It does not get any direct government funding, but runs entirely on subscriptions from its member companies. It is classed as a public corporation in the public sector. The connection it has with the government is via the Machinery of Government and Standards Group of the Cabinet Office.
Functions
The CAA directly or indirectly regulates all aspects of aviation in the UK. In some aspects of aviation it is the primary regulator, in other areas, where the responsibility for regulation has passed to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the CAA acts as EASA's local office, implementing the regulations. Representatives from the CAA sit on EASA's advisory bodies, taking part in the Europe-wide regulation process.
Responsibilities
The CAA's responsibilities include:
- Flight Crew, Aircraft Engineer and Air Traffic Controller licensing;
- Medical regulation of safety-critical aviation personnel;
- Licensing of aerodromes and other aviation facilities;
- Maintaining the UK register of aircraft;
- Licensing of aircraft;
- Regulation of aircraft airworthiness and related engineering functions;
- Economic regulation, including the regulation of monopoly and near-monopoly organisations involved in the provision of aviation services (for example National Air Traffic Services and BAA Limited), as well as regulating aviation-related organisations operating in a competitive marketplace (for example UK-based airlines);
- Development of aviation policy, both within the UK and Europe-wide.
ATOL
The CAA also oversees the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL). The ATOL licence offers financial protection for travellers booking package tours, in the form of insurance to provide return journeys for holidaymakers stranded abroad by the sudden bankruptcy of an airline or tour operator.
CAA Flying Unit
Preserved de Havilland Dove aircraft G-ALFU of CAA at Duxford Airfield, EGSU.
The CAA were also responsible for the calibration of navigation and approach aids until this was privatised as Flight Calibration Services Ltd. The CAAs Flying Unit has operated a variety of primarily British aircraft including de Havilland Doves,[4] Hawker Siddeley HS 748s[5][6] and Hawker Siddeley HS 125s.[7]
Aerodrome Licensing
There are a number of unlicensed aerodromes/airfields, however, those with higher traffic levels will usually require a license. The different licence categories that are issued to Airfields, Aerodromes/Airports by the CAA:
- Permanent License
- Public Use License
- Ordinary License
- Seasonal License: Issued to those aerodromes that are in use for more than 12 consecutive days, but less than 12 months in a year.
- Temporary License: Issued to those aerodromes that are in use for not more than 12 consecutive days.
See also
- Military Aviation Authority
- Air Accidents Investigation Branch
- Air safety
- Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom
- Civil Aviation Department (Hong Kong)
References
- ^ "London Head Office." Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 9 September 2010.
- ^ "Bus Services to CAA Safety Regulation Group, Aviation House." Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 9 September 2010. "Aviation House South Area Gatwick Airport RH6 0YR"
- ^ The Edwards Report — Principal recommendations, Air Transport, Flight International, 8 May 1969, p. 745
- ^ DH Dove in Board of Trade colours (adopted by the CAA)
- ^ HS.748 in old CAA colours
- ^ HS.748 in the last CAA livery
- ^ CAA HS.125-700
External links
Categories:- Organizations established in 1972
- Civil aviation authorities
- Aviation in the United Kingdom
- United Kingdom tribunals
- Public corporations of the United Kingdom Government
- Department for Transport
- Organisations based in West Sussex
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