3. UK Law - Aviation Organisations

Question 1

What are the CAA’s specific responsibilities?

Answer 1

The CAA is the UK’s specialist aviation regulator.

Its specific responsibilities include:
Air Safety
Economic Regulation
Airspace Regulation
Consumer Protection
Environmental Research & Consultancy

Question 2

3 groups that make up the CAA?

Answer 2

SARG
Safety and Airspace Regulation Group
RPG
Regulatory Policy Group
CPG
Consumer Protection Group

ERCD
Environmental Research & Consultancy
Department which is part of the Directorate of
Airspace Policy.

Question 3

What does SARG do?

Answer 3

Safety and Airspace Regulation Group

Ensures that UK civil aviation standards are set and
achieved.
Regulates airlines, airports and National Air Traffic
Services (NATS) economic activities and encourages
a diverse and competitive industry.
Brings civil and military interests together to ensure
that the airspace needs of all users are met as
equitably as possible
Manages the UK’s principal travel protection
scheme, the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL)
scheme, licenses UK airlines and manages consumer
issues.

Question 4

Additional task the CAA conducts?

Answer 4

Advises the Government on aviation issues.
Represents consumer interests.
Conducts economic and scientific research.
Produces statistical data, and
Provides specialist services.

Question 5

How is the CAA funded?

Answer 5

Advises the Government on aviation issues.
Represents consumer interests.
Conducts economic and scientific research.
Produces statistical data, and
Provides specialist services.

Question 6

What is the AAIB?

Answer 6

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)
is part of the Department for Transport and is
responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft
accidents and serious incidents within the UK.
The fundamental purpose of the AAIB is:
“To improve aviation safety by determining the
causes of air accidents and serious incidents and
making safety recommendations intended to
prevent recurrence”
It is not to apportion blame or liability.

Question 7

What is an Airprox?

Answer 7

A situation in which, in the opinion of the pilot
or air traffic services personnel, the distance
between aircraft as well as their relative
positions and speed have been such that the
safety of the aircraft involved may have been
compromised.

Question 8

What user associations are there in the UK?

Answer 8

GATCO
Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers - formed 1954
- Promote the highest standards in all
aspects of air traffic management and is
dedicated to the safety of all who travel or gain
their livelihood in the air.

PROSPECT
- Prospect are the union for professionals and
represent the ATCO’s in NATS and other regional
airports throughout the UK.
Prospect advises, defends and supports
members if they have a problem at work.
They also:
Negotiate pay and conditions
Campaign for jobs and standards
Offer valuable benefits and services
Influence employers and government.

BALPA
Over 85% of Britain’s pilots, winchmen and flight engineers belong to BALPA.
They provide:
Legal Advice & Representation
Industrial Support
Employment issues advice