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Licences and other approvals

An overview - guidance for your application

We issue a range of licences, permits and approvals to individuals and organisations throughout the aviation industry.

Use the menu below to find information about what we do and guidance on how to apply.

Individuals

Aircraft owners

Air Operator Certificates
Airworthiness and maintenance approvals
Changes of ownership (buying and selling aircraft)

Close Aircraft owners

Air Traffic Controllers, Flight Information Service Officers and Radio Operators

Licences for Air Traffic Control roles

Close Air Traffic Controllers, Flight Information Service Officers and Radio Operators

Cabin crew

Medical information for crew members

Close Cabin crew

Engineers

Close Engineers

Private pilots

Licences for private pilots

Close Private pilots

Professional pilots

Licences for professional pilots

Close Professional pilots

Organisations

Aircraft maintenance organisations

Organisation and maintenance programme approvals

Close Aircraft maintenance organisations

Airlines

Airports

Balloon operator

Approval for operating balloons

Close Balloon operator

Corporate operator

Close Corporate operator

Travel company

Close Travel company

By subject

Aircraft

Airworthiness and maintenance

Leasing

Guidance on wet and damp leasing

Navigation approvals

Extended range twin operations (ETOPS)
Minimum navigation performance specification (MNPS)
Precision area navigation (RNAV1)
Basic area navigation (RNAV5)
Oceanic and remote airspace (RNAV10)
Reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM)

Operation approvals

Pilot licences

Registration and ownership

Airlines

Airports

Airspace

Airspace change

Air traffic control

Close Air traffic control

Cabin crew

Close Cabin crew

Drones and unmanned aircraft

Requirements for UK airspace

Close Drones and unmanned aircraft

Space activities

Requirements for rocket launches

Close Space activities

News from UK Civil Aviation Authority

UK Civil Aviation Authority accepts Gatwick Airport’s commitments
- Published on: 23 May 2025
- Category: News Item
Updated rules confirmed to support safe growth of drone sector
- Published on: 08 May 2025
- Category: News Item
UK Civil Aviation Authority Launches UK SORA: A Digital Risk Assessment System for unmanned aircraft systems
- Published on: 28 April 2025
- Category: News Item