Knowing the Civilian Aviation Authority

In the United Kingdom, one of the most importantshould be understood by aerospace professionals. The
regulatory bodies in the aerospace industry is thefunction of the CAA that professionals will become
Civilian Aviation Authority, or the CAA. The CAA wasmost familiar with is the licensing of aviation and
created in 1972 to act as a public organization toaerospace professionals. Flight crew, engineering, and
oversee all elements of British domestic aviation. Theair traffic controller licensing all run through the CAA
CAA was formally made the government's aviationand regular license upgrades and renewals are
regulator with the Civil Aviation Act in 1982, whichrequired. In a similar vein, the CAA monitors medical
replaced the Department of Transport in this role.regulations and facilitates physicals for aviation
Aerospace professionals, from engineers to pilots,personnel that are involved in regular flights.
need to know about the CAA's regulatory functionsAerospace professionals may become intimately
and jurisdiction in order to better understand the Britishfamiliar with the professional licensing aspects of the
aerospace industry.CAA but there are a number of other functions that
Aerospace professionals should first understand theare equally important. The CAA regulates the United
jurisdiction in which the CAA provides regulation andKingdom register of aircraft, which is necessary to
consultation. The Civilian Aviation Authority is the solemaintain an accurate record of all planes in the region.
regulator for flights within the United Kingdom, fromAs well, the CAA regulates the licensing of airplanes
small charters to regularly scheduled airliners. However,and other aircraft in the United Kingdom. The CAA not
the international nature of airline travel has requiredonly regulates individual aircrafts and professionals but
consultation and team work with European aviationleads the charge against unfair aerospace business
organizations in order to facilitate safe and efficientpractices. The CAA's regulatory function allows it to
travels. When international regulations come into effect,manage public aviation organizations while regulating
the CAA's offices in London act as the local office foragainst private monopolies. In all, the CAA's jurisdictional
the European Aviation Safety Agency. CAA officialsand regulatory functions allow it to deal with safety
also act on regulatory boards of the EASA whichand economic issues in the UK's aerospace industry.
determine regulations and enforcement policies.Aerospace professionals who understand the nuances
The CAA has broad authority as the United Kingdom'sof the CAA will function better in their jobs.
regulatory of aviation and aerospace activities, which