The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the United Kingdom’s Specialist Aviation Regulating Body.

Usually referred to as the CAA this organisation advises the government on aviation matters and conducts research in the areas of economics and science related to aviation. It represents consumer interests and provides statistical research and specialist services such as accident investigation. The cost of regulation is met by fees collected for the services provided unlike some countries where there is government funding.

The CAA’s stated mission is ‘To provide best practice regulation and expert advice that are independent and enable civil aviation to meet the needs of it’s users and society in a safe and sustainable manner.’

The Civil Aviation Authority’s areas of responsibility include:

• Economic regulation.
• Air Safety.
• Environmental Research such as noise pollution.
• Airspace control and regulation
• Consumer protection.

The Civil Aviation Authority sets aviation standards and monitors them. It manages the main travel protection scheme, including licencing airlines in the UK and managing consumer problems. It regulates airports and airlines and the air traffic services. The requirements of military and civil aviation are brought together to ensure that the UK airspace is used as equitably as possible.

In recent years the Civil Aviation Authority have been very active in working with Europe to integrate the aviation activities of all the members of the European community. The work has encouraged individual countries to recognise and accept common licencing requirements and common rules. Although each country retains national control and can implement local differences. The advent of JOINT AVIATION REGULATION (JAR) was a major step in this direction. The EUROPEAN AVIATION SAFETY AGENCY (EASA) has now superceded JAR as more common understanding has been reached.

In addition to their work for aviation safety the Civil Aviation Authority have been in the forefront of promoting the rights of the disabled. Their commitment to the disabled has seen more and more disabled people able to fly. The CAA has worked tirelessly with various disabled organisations to approve methods that have enabled the disabled to fly aeroplanes. Apart from the disabled being able to fly, the policy of the CAA with employment has also been at the cutting edge of helping the disabled. In a recent statement of intent the Civil Aviation Authority policy was described as below:

The Civil Aviation Authority Disability Equality Scheme

The scheme sets out our commitment to disabled people, our approach to addressing disability and our plans for achieving an accessible organisation for all. In developing this scheme we consulted across the CAA and researched best practice. We are committed to working in an inclusive way by considering the needs of disabled people in all of our activities. In developing this scheme we have considered guidance from the former Disability Rights Commission.

The scheme sets out the framework which the Civil Aviation Authority will use to promote equality for, and prevent discrimination against, disabled people, as our employees, users of our services and as members of the community, subject to the paramount need to maintain a high standard of aviation safety.

The Civil Aviation Authority were also one of the first to implement anonymous reporting by members of the industry. This system brings to the fore concerns by members of the industry that otherwise would never be aired. It has played a major part in achieving the high safety standards in the industry.

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