Consultation Hub

It is vital that CAP 1724 Flying Display Pilot Authorisation and Evaluation: Requirements and Guidance remains up-to-date and relevant, and that the CAA’s guidance material in these areas remains proportionate, clear and unambiguous.

We asked for feedback from the regulated community on proposed amendments to CAP 1724 ahead of the 2026 display season. 

We compiled a draft of CAP 1724 Edition 8 and consulted on it over four working weeks from 05 January 2026 to 30 January 2026. 

We compiled a draft of CAP 1724 Edition 8 and consulted on it over four working weeks from 05 January 2026 to 30 January 2026. 

We received a total of 43 unique comments to the draft CAP 1724 from 8 respondents.  
Of all the comments, 19 clearly conveyed some sort of change and 24 were either unclear / not specific or suggested no changes, some being purely comments.  46% of all the comments supported the proposed amendments.

Of the 19 conveying a change, 9 were textual in nature, suggesting revised wording or highlighting minor drafting / clarification points, 2 being duplicated between respondents.  The other 10 comments were more substantive, calling for some sort of change of the underlying policy. 

We accepted 13 of the 19 comments suggesting some sort of change (68%).  8 of these comprised of rewording content or the addition of further information for additional clarification, we have tried to take a balanced view on what would be helpful.  Of the remaining 5, 4 concerned minor policy changes and 1 concerned an underlying policy change that will require further DAE consultation before any implementation.

Of the remaining 24, 4 were unclear / not specific whilst the remaining 20 expressed support for the changes.

Regarding the 6 comments suggesting some sort of change that were not implemented, 1 concerned a grammar issue (spelling) that we were unable to locate, 3 concerned sensitive text that we are unable to change due to further unintended consequences and 2 concerned underlying policy beyond the scope of CAP 1724.

We have produced a final version of CAP 1724 Edition 8 which was published on 9 March 2026. 

From 17 November 2025 until 12 January 2026, the CAA ran an eight-week public consultation on draft requirements and associated guidance in respect of the provision by NATS (En Route) plc (NERL) of the UK Airspace Coordination Service (UKACS).

The consultation asked three questions, inviting a mixture of multiple-choice answers and free text.

We had 47 responses, of which 32 came either from local organisations such as community action groups or residents affected by aviation. Eight were from commercial industry. The others came from a range of other stakeholders. 74% of respondents were based in the South East.

We have considered the responses to the consultation and have published the outcomes in CAP 3162. Taking these into account, we have published the final requirements for the UKACS and associated guidance as CAP 3220, which includes the changes summarised below.

Monitor strategically important interdependent airspace changes needed and provide advice 

We have included some additional text to support the definition of ‘strategically important interdependent’ airspace change proposals (see CAP 3220 paragraphs 2.4 and 2.5).

We have removed the requirement to obtain advice from the Advisory Board for the purpose of NERL’s monitoring role (see CAP 3220, this has been removed from Requirement 1). It is still intended that NERL consult with relevant sponsors before providing their advice to the CAA and DfT on which proposals NERL considers are strategically important interdependent airspace change proposals (as defined).

Deliver cumulative assessment outputs

We have clarified the core purpose and requirements of the Cumulative Assessment Framework (CAF) in the final requirements and associated guidance (see CAP 3220 paragraph 2.9 and figures 2.1 and 2.2).

We have included a requirement on NERL to provide Relevant Sponsors with appropriate guidance, as may be required, in order to aid cooperation (see CAP 3220 paragraphs 2.10 Requirement 2 (iii) and 2.12 Requirement 3 (iii)).

We have included a requirement for NERL to summarise and communicate the overall proposal for each cluster of strategically important interdependent airspace change proposals to help frame sponsor consultations (see CAP 3220 paragraph 2.10 Requirement 2 (iv)).

Deliver safety strategy outputs

We have included a requirement on NERL to provide Relevant Sponsors with appropriate guidance, as may be required, in order to aid cooperation (see paragraph 2.18 Requirement 4 (iii)).

From 17 November 2025 until 12 January 2026, the CAA ran an eight-week public consultation on draft guidance in respect of the provision by NATS (En Route) plc (NERL) of the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) and UK Airspace Coordination Service (UKACS).

The consultation asked five questions, inviting a mixture of multiple-choice answers and free text.

We had 69 responses, of which 49 came from either local organisations such as community action groups or residents affected by aviation. Nine were from commercial industry. The others came from a range of other stakeholders. Just under two thirds of respondents were based in the South East.

We have considered the responses to the consultation. Taking these into account, we are publishing the final guidance as CAP 3219 Airspace modernisation: Guidance for the UK Airspace Design and Coordination Services. The changes we have made to the guidance are set out in detail and in summary in CAP 3161 Outcome of the consultation on draft guidance for the UK Airspace Design and Coordination Services.

We also proposed that the scope of existing Department for Transport and CAA governance arrangements should be revised, such that they would also provide governance of NERL’s provision of the UKADS and UKACS (the Airspace Modernisation Strategy governance structure). Having now consulted on these arrangements and taken comments into account, the CAA will in due course republish these on our website and update the Airspace Modernisation Strategy.