Originally Posted by
Magplug
When the UK was in the EU British registered aircraft eventually fell under the governance of EASA. The UK CAA were not slow to capitalise on that situation and promptly made redundant all those CAA personnel previously responsible for safety oversight.
When the EASA regulations were adopted and came into force in the UK, EASA became the "competent authority" for initial airworthiness (certification) matters. The CAA did downsize the number of certification staff, a number of these taking up posts with EASA. The CAA were the "competent authority" for continuing airworthiness matters and were required to carry out oversight of all organisations maintaining aircraft and components as specified by the EASA Regulations. At that time CAA did not reduce the staff numbers who carried out these oversight duties and CAA still retain responsibility for safety oversight of continuing airworthiness and operational matters.