The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1972 following the recommendations of a government committee chaired by Sir Ronald Edwards. The main Act of Parliament regulating aviation in the UK is the Civil Aviation Act 1982. Previously, regulation of aviation was the responsibility of the Department of Transport. Responsibility for air traffic control in the UK passed to NATS in 2001. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the name for the national body governing civil aviation in a number of countries. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... An Act of Parliament or Act is law enacted by the parliament (see legislation). ... In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the transport network. ... For the Canadian musical group, see Air Traffic Control (band). ... National Air Traffic Services Ltd. ... This article is about the year. ...

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. Kingsway is a major road in central London. ... Holborn (pronounced ho-bun or ho-burn) is a place in London, named after a tributary to the river Fleet that flowed through the area, the Hole-bourne (the stream in the hollow). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Gatwick Airport (IATA: LGW, ICAO: EGKK) is Londons second largest airport and the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom after Heathrow. ...

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. Agency of the European Union Location: Cologne, Germany Formation: - Signed - Established September 28, 2003 Superseding pillar: European Community Director: Patrick Goudou Website: easa. ...

The CAA's responsibilities include:

• Flight Crew, Aircraft Engineer and Air Traffic Controller licensing;
• Medical regulation of safety-critical aviation personnel (the CAA works to strict medical guidelines which are often seen as extremely as harsh towards would-be pilots including a blanket ban on those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Asperger syndrom);
• 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 plc), 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.

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. National Air Traffic Services Ltd. ... BAA plc is the owner and operator of seven major United Kingdom airports and operator of several airports worldwide, making the company one of the largest transport companies in the world. ... A package holiday or package tour consists of transport and accommodation advertised and sold together by a vendor known as a tour operator. ...

See also

• Air safety
• Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom

Air safety is a broad term encompassing the theory, investigation and categorization of flight failures, and the prevention of such failures through appropriate regulation, as well as through education and training. ... Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom is governed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). ...

External links

• CAA website