Regulator profile

CAA

Civil Aviation Authority

Enforcement Regulator UK-wide

What CAA does

UK's aviation regulator. Responsible for aviation safety, airspace policy, economic regulation of airports, and consumer protection. Issues air operator certificates, pilot licences, and drone operator permissions. Regulates unmanned aircraft (drones) under the Air Navigation Order.

Drone regulation via the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) team. Commercial drone operators need operator ID and flyer ID.

AviationDronesLicensingSafety

Contact CAA

Official guidance from CAA

Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.

Certificates of Airworthiness | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Apply for an aerodrome/heliport licence | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Development of airport infrastructure | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

National Certificates of Airworthiness | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

National permit to fly | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Aerial Work | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Apply for a BCAR Section L licence | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

Apply for a UK Part 21 Subpart G approval | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance

View all 736 guidance documents (opens in a new tab)

Legislation that CAA directly enforces.

Primary legislation

Aviation Security Act 1982 Civil Aviation Act 1982 Airports Act 1986 Outer Space Act 1986 Transport Act 2000 Aviation (Offences) Act 2003 Civil Aviation Act 2012 Air Travel Organisers' Licensing Act 2017 Space Industry Act 2018 ATMUA 2021

Secondary legislation

The Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996 Airports (Groundhandling) Regulations 1997 Aeroplane Noise Regulations 1999 Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 2002 The Airport Charges Regulations 2011 The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) Regulations 2012 The Air Navigation (Single European Sky) (Penalties) (Amendment) Order 2013 The Civil Aviation Act 2012 (Commencement No. 1, Transitional, Transitory and Saving Provisions) Order 2013 The Civil Aviation Act 2012 (Regulation of Operators of Dominant Airports) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2013 The Single European Sky (National Supervisory Authority) Regulations 2013

… and 18 more statutory instruments.

Legislation connected to CAA’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.

Administered / monitored

The Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) (Amendment) Order 2004 UK Statutory Instrument

Referenced in enforcement

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Northampton) Regulations 2024 UK Statutory Instrument

Other publications

9 additional documents from CAA.

Civil Aviation Authority role in planning consultations (opens in a new tab)

Environmental requirements for licensing under the Space Industry Act 2018 (opens in a new tab)

Guidance for licensing under the Space Industry Act 2018 and the Outer Space Act 1986 (opens in a new tab)

Lighting and marking of obstacles in UK airspace (opens in a new tab)

Required safety information for licensing under the Space Industry Act 2018 (opens in a new tab)

View all 9 documents (opens in a new tab)

Sectors regulated

Aerospace

← All regulators