A wide range of careers: Our business areas

As part of the CAA team, you can find yourself working almost anywhere in the UK, in almost any area of aviation. Many roles may also offer potential for travel to Europe or even further afield. Where you join will be determined by your area of specialisation, your personal situation and the opportunities we have available.

Air Safety

The Safety Regulation Group (SRG) continues to play a vital national role – overseeing and developing the UK’s world-class aviation safety environment by driving continuous safety improvement in what is Europe’s largest aviation industry. However, as we move towards a new Pan-European regulatory framework, SRG’s influence is evolving and extending. As an integral and prominent partner within the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), we are now increasingly involved in promoting best practice regulation across Europe.

Whether looking at the national or European context, SRG remains focused on ensuring that aircraft are properly designed, manufactured, operated and maintained; that airlines operate safely; that flight crews, air traffic controllers and aircraft maintenance engineers are suitably skilled; that licensed aerodromes are safe to use and that air traffic services and general aviation activities meet required safety standards.

Airspace Regulation

The Directorate of Airspace Policy (DAP) is responsible for the planning and regulation of all UK airspace, including the navigation and communications infrastructure to support safe and efficient operations. DAP also addresses environmental, economic and national security considerations and is staffed by civilian and military experts with experience of commercial, business, recreational and military aviation.

DAP is playing a significant role within the Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI). This is a joint effort between the CAA, NATS (National Air Traffic Services), AOA (Airport Operators Association), GA (General Aviation) and the Ministry of Defence to investigate and tackle the major safety risks in UK airspace.

The Environmental Research and Consultancy Department (ERCD), part of the Directorate of Airspace Policy, provides independent and impartial technical advice on the environmental effects of aviation – particularly aircraft noise - to the Department of Transport, internal CAA departments and other stakeholders.

ERCD produces noise exposure contours for airports, is responsible for the upkeep and operation of the UK Aircraft Noise Contour Model, performs studies for the UK Aircraft Noise Monitoring Advisory Committee and provides research and analysis into aircraft noise and its effects.

Consumer Protection

The Consumer Protection Group (CPG) ensures the rights of UK air travellers and helps to protect their financial outlay.

CPG’s responsibilities are fourfold: to regulate the finances and fitness of travel organisers selling flights and package holidays in the UK; to manage Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL), the UK’s largest system of consumer protection for travellers; to license UK airlines and enforce European Council requirements in relation to their finances, nationality, liability to passengers for death or injury and insurance; and to enforce certain other legal requirements and codes of practice for protection of airlines’ customers.

Economic Regulation

The Economic Regulation Group (ERG) regulates airports, air traffic services and airlines and provides advice on aviation policy from an economic standpoint. Its aim is to secure the best sustainable outcome for users of air transport services.

ERG’s main tasks are to promote liberalisation through the removal of Government-imposed restrictions to entry to the airline market and to facilitate the optimal supply and regulation of aviation infrastructure. ERG acts as an expert adviser to the Government and collects, analyses and publishes statistical information on airlines and airports.

Corporate and Ancillary Bodies

The CAA’s Corporate Centre brings together all the functions which support the CAA’s business activities, including Finance, IT, Information Management, Legal, Corporate Communications and Aircraft Registration departments, each with their own aims and objectives.

Additionally, there are a number of Ancillary bodies, as follows:

Air Safety Support International (ASSI)

Air Safety Support International (ASSI) is a not-for-profit, wholly-owned, subsidiary company of the CAA. It exists to support authorities in the UK’s Overseas Territories, helping to provide a more cohesive system of civil aviation safety regulation. You can find out more by visiting the ASSI website.

UK Airprox Board (UKAB)

With the primary objective of enhancing flight safety in the UK, in particular in respect of lessons to be learned and applied from Airprox occurrences reported within UK airspace. UKAB is sponsored jointly and funded equally by the UK CAA and the UK Minsitry of Defence (MOD). www.airproxboard.org.uk

Air Transport Users Council (AUC)

The Air Transport Users Council (AUC) is the UK’s consumer council for air travellers, complimenting and assisting the CAA in its duty to further the reasonable interests of users of air transport. It sits within the CAA’s corporate structure, receives funding from the CAA and comprises a council of volunteer consumer representatives, supported by a salaried secretariat. www.auc.org.uk

CAA Pension Scheme

The Scheme is administered by a team based in Edinburgh. The Scheme secretary is based in London with a team dealing with finance and investment.

CAA International Ltd

CAA International Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the CAA which promotes the development of safer air transport on a global scale. It provides independent advice, consultancy, training and examination services to assist clients worldwide, based on the expertise available within the SRG, ERG, CPG and DAP business areas. You can discover more by visiting the dedicated CAA International Ltd website.