CAP 403 Flying Displays and Special Events: Safety and administrative requirements and guidance 2024

It is vital that CAP 403 Flying Displays and Special Events: Safety and Administrative 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 403 ahead of the 2024 display season. 

We compiled a draft of CAP 403 Edition 21 and consulted on it over four working weeks from 27 November 2023 to 22 December 2023. 

We received a total of 32 unique comments to the draft CAP 403 from 12 respondents.  

Of all the comments, 26 clearly conveyed some sort of change. Of these, 20 comments were textual in nature, suggesting revised wording or highlighting minor drafting points.

Many of these comments were duplicated between respondents; and the other 6 comments were more substantive, calling for some sort of change of the underlying policy. 

We accepted 16 of all the comments suggesting some sort of change (62%). 

Of the 20 textual comments received, we accepted 15. Most of these comprised of rewording content for clarification, and we have tried to take a balanced view on what would be helpful. Of the 5 we elected not to implement, some were not specific enough to warrant a change, some suggested changes that were made elsewhere and it was considered that the remainder might have further unintended consequences.

Regarding the 6 more substantive comments we received, we implemented 1. Of those we elected not to implement, some were beyond the scope of CAP403, others were covered adequately either in this document or elsewhere, and it was considered that the remaining comment might have further unintended consequences.

We have produced a final version of CAP 403 Edition 21 which was published on February 1st 2024.