Mystery Guest: Not sure what your motivation is for this thread. Are you:. .1. Recently abused/disenfranchised by the CAA?. .2. Recently but no longer employed by the CAA?. .3. Aiming to improve the aviation industry?. .4. Just out to create michief?
Any organsiation that provides services to consumers should be accountable to and representative of its users. No arguments with you there.
Having the ear of a local Labour MP may sound good but let me ask:. .1. Are they in the Transportation ministry?. .2. Are they on the Transport Select Committee?. .3. Do they actively support aviation?
Unless they answer is yes to at least some of the above, you will no doubt receive a polite letter from them assuring you of their interest blah blah blah. Truth is that most MPs have little influence on policy unless they are part of a policy making team, a committee or a ministry.
Notwithstanding my somewhat apathetic attitude towards the elected representatives of the people, there is a very important fact that you should know. The CAA is to be abolished; over time.
At the moment the JAA is a psuedo politcial body that represents the various national authorities with the intent of harmonising and standardising aviation within the members of the EEC/EU. It has as its own goal, its own self detruction and replacement with a new body - EASA. The European Aeronauctics & Safety Administration (correct title I believe) is intended to replace the national bodies. It will take responsibility for regulation, certification and enforcement of aviation policy for europe - eventually!! I think its inception is around 2005.
If I may be so bold as to suggest; the best chance to shape/guide/influence any organisation is from within. The only way that we as Brits can do that is by ensuring that our national bodies guide the formation of this new european body. That means getting on with the CAA and making sure that they input to the JAA what it is we want out of EASA.
I believe it is true to say that the JAA, for all its faults, would be a whole lot worse had not the CAA taken the lead in a number of key roles. Dont get me wrong I am not a CAA groupie - I just shudder to think about how bad it could be!!
So, I will support you and I have quite a few thoughts / opinions / suggestions that I would share, but I do think that rather than go for the CAA jugular, it would be best to present a united british front (authority, industry, private individual) in the formation of the future regulators.