Regarding the observation that at one stage CAA Flight Operations and Air Taxi Operations Inspectors did not have authority to board and inspect foreign registered aircraft, this is quite correct. When I was granted a CAA Flight Operations Inspector's Authority and Certificate of Appointment in February 1986 the relevant text began:
"TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN The Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland certifies that the holder of this certificate is a Flight Operations Inspector appointed to inspect in the interests of aviation safety the operation of aircraft registered in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern ireland, wherever they may be." Then in December 1994 an additional sentence was inserted so as to continue the previous text thus, " and the operation of aircraft not so registered whilst they are within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."