Given the burdens placed on Pilots and Operators by the CAA in many areas, how on earth do they have a situation where you can be "approved" just because a guy at the CAA knows you?
The CAA is responsible for ensuring that an FDD has the required competencies to manage the safety of the display, amongst other tasks.
The CAA stated that:
‘Currently a FDD is assessed on the basis of the personal knowledge of the CAA’s Flight Display Inspector about the individual, his competence and capabilities and any other specific intelligence from prior activities. Also taken into account are the arrangements being made for the flying display…
There is currently no written policy document that describes selection criteria for a person in relation to acceptance as a FDD’
Therefore the following Safety Recommendation is made:
Safety Recommendation 2016-032
It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority specify the safety
management and other competencies that the organiser of a flying display
must demonstrate before obtaining a Permission under Article 162 of the Air
Navigation Order.
The CAA stated that it held a workshop as an element of a pre-season symposium in February 2016 as part of its strategy to improve the selection criteria for FDDs.
This Special Bulletin contains facts which have been determined up to the time of issue. It is published to inform the
aviation industry and the public of the general circumstances of accidents and serious incidents and should be regarded as
tentative and subject to alteration or correction if additional evidence becomes available.