Aviation safety regulation
within a European framework

The role of the CAA’s Safety Regulation Group is to develop our UK world-class aviation safety environment, in partnership with industry, by driving continuous improvements in aviation safety in the UK and, in partnership with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), across Europe.

The European Community established EASA in 2003 with the legal competence to be the rulemaking and standard setting organisation for all aviation safety regulation on behalf of its member states. The agency is now actively undertaking the tasks of aircraft and product certification, and it has responsibility for the rules related to the design and maintenance of aircraft products and parts, plus setting standards for those organisations involved in design, production and maintenance of these products and parts. Arrangements for further expansion of the Agency’s rulemaking role are advancing apace and the detailed Implementing Rules for aircraft operations and flight crew licensing are expected to be completed during 2009. Similarly, work has begun on developing draft (high level) Essential Requirements to cover air traffic management and aerodrome activities, and this is expected to be the third and final major phase of the transition to a coherent European rulemaking body for aviation safety regulation.

Internet: <www.caa.co.uk> (adapted).

Judge the following item, about the ideas and the structure of the text above.

Flight crew licensing is awaited to be ended in 2009.

Information associated with the

carriage of Dangerous Goods by air

The carriage of dangerous goods by air requires strict regulation in order to ensure safety.

The Dangerous Goods Office carries out inspections and has a scheme for the recording and investigation of incidents, as required by Annex 18. Regarding inspections, the four authorised Inspectors carry out inspections to check for compliance with all the requirements of the Technical Instructions. Audit style inspections are carried out on operators and their handling agents with a view to assessing whether adequate procedures and training are in place to ensure compliance with the operators responsibilities of the Technical Instructions. Inspections are also carried out in freight sheds/warehouses, on the ramp and in airport terminals; they are to check on packages and documents, procedures for handling dangerous goods, the state of training for those involved and the provision of adequate notices at cargo acceptance points and passenger check-in areas.

The Inspectors are empowered to seize packages of dangerous goods if there are reasonable grounds to suspect a consignment does not comply with all applicable requirements.

Internet: <www.caa.co.uk> (adapted).

Judge the following item about the ideas and the linguistic structure of the text above.

Inspectors can check sheds and warehouses but not ramps.