Aeronautical information

Regulatory Environment

UK Regulation (EU) 139/2014 laying down requirements and administrative procedures related to aerodromes ‘ADR IR’ was amended by the UK Statutory Instrument 2019 No. 645 which came into force on the EU Exit day (31^st Dec 2020).

UK Regulation (EU) 2017/373 laying down common requirements for providers of air traffic management/air navigation services and other air traffic management network functions and their oversight ‘ATM IR’ was amended by the UK Statutory Instrument 2019 No. 459 which also came into force on the EU Exit day.

Subsequently, UK Statutory Instrument 2021 No 1203 amended UK Regulation (EU) 2017/373 and UK Regulation (EU) No. 139/2014 to include a complete package of requirements on the quality of aeronautical data and aeronautical information. The Statutory Instrument also repealed UK Regulation (EU) 73/2010, as it was not considered appropriate to maintain multiple regulations with overlapping requirements.

The amended ATM IR and ADR IR provide all the provisions on the quality of aeronautical data and aeronautical information. 

The CAA recognises that the term ‘ADQ’ is widely used and commonly understood, therefore, to maintain consistency and ensure smooth transition to the ATM IR and ADR IR amended by the Statutory Instrument 2021 No 1203, all data quality requirements (whether included in the ADQ IR or in amended ATM IR and ADR IR) are referred to as ‘ADQ’ requirements.

Key CAA Aviation Publications (CAPs)

 CAP 1054 Aeronautical Data Quality – Guidance for the provision and maintenance of aeronautical data and aeronautical information in UK Aeronautical Information Products 

CAP 1054 was published to assist all parties involved in the data chain with the understanding of and compliance with the requirements pertaining to the origination, management, transmission and distribution of the aeronautical data and aeronautical information that is published in Aeronautical Information Publications.

As well as providing guidance on meeting data quality requirements, CAP 1054 also includes CAA policy for the provision of aeronautical information. This ensures that all aspects of aeronautical information management have been considered by the CAA.

See CAP 1054 for more information on:

• Aeronautical Information Management in the UK,
• The applicability of the data quality requirements,
• Authorised Sources of Aeronautical Information,
• Regulatory Approval of Aeronautical Information and Data,
• Common elements of compliance,
• Additional requirements for certified/licensed parties,
• Types of data; and
• Data Quality Attributes.

For more information about submitting information to the UK AIS see The aeronautical data management portal | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk).

CAP 779 Regulation of aeronautical information management services

CAP 779 describes the UK and International regulatory requirements applicable to the regulation of Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) and the provision of the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) as well as those elements of the ATM/ANS certification process that fall under the CAA AIM Regulator’s responsibilities. The document defines the scope of services provided by the regulated State AIS provider and explains how the regulation of the AIS is implemented.

CAP 1732 Aerodrome survey guidance

 CAP 1732 provides additional aerodrome survey guidance for aerodrome operators and other data originators (including contracted activities) to support compliance with the UK Regulations as well as ICAO Annex 4, Annex 11 and Annex 14.

This guidance complements the AMC and GM to the UK Regulation (EU) 139/2014, the ICAO PANS-AIM Doc 10066 and the EUROCONTROL - Terrain and Obstacle Data (TOD) Manual. CAP 1732 should be used in conjunction with those documents to ensure that one survey can provide all the mandatory data items and that all the relevant requirements are met. The main purpose of the document is to achieve a harmonized approach to aerodrome surveys and effectively support the implementation of data quality requirements.

The guidance contained in CAP 1732 applies to aerodromes that are certificated by the CAA under UK Regulation (EU) No. 139/2014 and to aerodromes that have instrument approach procedures (IFP)

All other aerodromes (VFR aerodromes) should continue to follow the guidance included in CAP 232 as applicable.

Aeronautical Information Management Regulation

 The Transport Act 2000, and Air Navigation Directions 2017 (as amended) made under section 66 of that Act (the Directions) placed upon the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) by the Secretary of State, require the provision of an Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) in accordance with the UK’s international obligations (including Annex 15 of the International Convention on Civil Aviation), and any additional requirements the CAA may determine from time to time.

The Secretary of State for Transport has additionally given the CAA the Civil Aviation Authority (Chicago Convention) Directions 2007, in order to ensure that the CAA, when exercising its statutory functions, acts consistently with the obligations placed on the United Kingdom under the Chicago Convention (1944).

The CAA's Safety & Airspace Regulation Group (SARG) carries out the CAA's functions under the Directions, and the Aeronautical Information Management section undertakes this function in respect of the UK AIS on behalf of the CAA.

For further information contact the Aeronautical Information Management Regulators Team at aimr@caa.co.uk