About the Aviation Authority
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Velocity Interoperability Network is the regulator of civil aviation in the Velocity Interoperability Network. It is responsible for the structure and safe use of Network airspace, the certification of aerodromes and operators, the licensing of pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and remote pilots, the aircraft register, and the oversight of safety across all of these activities.
The Authority was established on 6 September 2026. Before that date each member organisation of the Network regulated its own flying under interim arrangements. During the four weeks before establishment those organisations transferred their aviation functions and records to the Authority in formation: 214 aircraft, 1,120 licence holders, 14 operators and six aerodromes. The published structure of Network airspace takes effect on 14 September 2026, the date from which the Authority also accepts applications for licences, certificates and registration.
The Authority is organised in four directorates: Airspace and Aerodromes, Personnel Licensing and Registration, Safety Oversight, and Corporate Services. Its 22 inspectors are based at Central Exchange, with resident inspectors at Westbrook Distribution Site and Northgate Relay. Air traffic services at Central Exchange and Westbrook are provided by the Authority's Air Navigation Service; the licensed aerodromes provide their own flight information services under the Authority's oversight.
Responsibilities. The Authority's work falls into six areas.
- Airspace
- The classification and structure of Network airspace, the designation of controlled zones and of prohibited, restricted and danger areas, and the provision of air traffic services at the principal sites.
- Aerodromes
- The certification, licensing and registration of aerodromes, the register of aerodromes, and the inspection of runways, lighting, rescue and fire fighting services and aerodrome operating procedures.
- Personnel licensing
- The examination and licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, remote pilots and flight operations officers, and the recognition of licences issued before establishment.
- Operators and organisations
- The certification of air operators and the approval of maintenance organisations, including the assessment of their management systems, procedures and personnel before certification and at audit thereafter.
- Aircraft registration and airworthiness
- The Network aircraft register, the allocation of registration marks, the issue of certificates of registration and airworthiness, and the surveillance of continuing airworthiness.
- Safety oversight and reporting
- Audits of operators and organisations, inspections of aerodromes and aircraft, the receipt and analysis of occurrence reports, safety promotion, and quarterly statistical reporting.
The Authority acts as a regulator and not as an operator. It does not own or operate aircraft or aerodromes, other than the air traffic control units it staffs, and it does not provide flying training. Its decisions on licences, certificates and permissions are made in writing and may be reviewed on application to the Authority within 28 days.
For the Authority's origins and the milestones since its establishment, see History; for figures on the activity it regulates, see Statistics. General enquiries may be sent to contact@aviation.gov.vin.