It is part of the MoD, but operates independently, via a Charter signed by the Secretary of State for Defence.

[1] The MAA was established on 1 April 2010 in response to the recommendations made by Mr Justice Haddon-Cave in his Nimrod Review,[2] which called for a radical overhaul of military airworthiness regulation.

[3][4] The authority incorporates the former Directorate of Aviation Regulation & Safety, previously the Defence Aviation Safety Centre (DASC)[5] which had been located at RAF Bentley Priory until the station closed in 2008 and the organisation moved to RAF Northolt.

[6] The MAA, which is located at MoD Abbey Wood in Bristol.

[7] On 1 April 2015, the MAA became part of the Defence Safety Authority.