Who is responsible
The operator holds operational control and answers to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for its crew, maintenance and flight operations under its Air Operator Certificate. The CAA oversees AOC holders with audits, inspections, flight and ramp checks and assessments of each operator's safety management system. Accidents and serious incidents are investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which determines their causes without attributing blame.
What we check
We only quote operators on the CAA's list of AOC holders, or properly licensed foreign operators, and we ask for the insurance certificate before you sign. Where an operator holds an independent audit, we show it: ARGUS ratings run from Gold to Platinum, with Platinum requiring an on-site audit with findings corrected, an emergency response plan and a working safety management system, and WYVERN's Wingman standard validates an operator's safety culture and safety management through an on-site assessment.
Weather and the crew's decision
The pilot in command has the final word on whether a flight goes ahead. Flights can be delayed, rerouted or cancelled for weather or safety, especially helicopter flights in low cloud or strong wind. We will never ask a crew to fly when they judge it unsafe.
To check a flight yourself, read Is my flight legal?.
