[1] Its areas of responsibility include: The CAA is a public corporation of the Department for Transport, liaising with the government via the Standards Group of the Cabinet Office.
Historically, the work of the CAA was previously carried out by the Ministry of Aviation, a department of the United Kingdom government established in 1959.
The sector operates business jets, rotorcraft, piston and jet-engined fixed-wing aircraft, gliders of all descriptions, and lighter than air craft.
Public transport operations include business (or corporate) aviation and air taxi services, and account for nearly half of the economic contribution made by the sector.
It includes a strong vintage aircraft movement, and encompasses a range of air sports, such as racing, aerobatics, and parachuting, at which British teams and individuals have succeeded in international competition.
Organisations in the United Kingdom (UK) describe GA in less restrictive terms that include elements of commercial aviation.
The British Business and General Aviation Association interprets it to be "all aeroplane and helicopter flying except that performed by the major airlines and the Armed Services".