Celebrating International Civil Aviation Day

Today is International Civil Aviation Day, recognising and celebrating the importance of civil aviation. Two BWPA members who work at the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) tell us about their roles and why they enjoy working at the CAA.

Emily Cottrill, Innovation Services Specialist

How long have you worked at the CAA, and tell us about your role?

I have worked at the CAA for a year and a half. My current role is as an Innovation Services Specialist in the CAA’s Innovation Hub. I work with innovators to support the regulatory readiness of their new systems by facilitating guidance and access to CAA expertise.

What do you enjoy about working at the CAA?

There is a great culture around the organisation that encourages learning. Everyone has such diverse career backgrounds that you can learn so much from.

What has been the most interesting project or campaign you’ve worked on at the CAA?

I am working on several projects at the moment which involve the use of drones for infrastructure inspections and deliveries. Integrating drones into the current UK airspace is challenging, but it is fascinating to work with innovators to see how futuristic technologies may be part of everyday life in the not-so-distant future.

What would you say to other BWPA members considering a role at the CAA?

There are so many roles in all areas of aviation that present opportunities to grow and broaden your skill set. The CAA is a fascinating place to expand your aviation knowledge as you work alongside people in diverse roles with backgrounds in many different aviation careers.

 

Bronwyn Fraser, Sustainability Principal

How long have you worked at the CAA, and tell us about your role?

I have been at the CAA for just over seven years. I currently work in the Environmental Sustainability team, which leads on delivery of the CAA’s environmental strategy and engagement with government and the aviation industry to help deliver net zero by 2050. I find the work is fast paced, challenging and exciting.

What do you enjoy about working at the CAA?

I really enjoy the wide range of work across the organisation. The CAA covers every aspect of civil aviation in the UK, including space after it became the UK’s space regulator last year.

What has been the most interesting project or campaign you’ve worked on at the CAA?

My most memorable time at the CAA was when Thomas Cook collapsed in September 2019. The CAA effectively set up its own airline and hundreds of CAA colleagues worked 24 hours a day for two weeks to repatriate the approximately 150,000 people who were abroad at the time – it was the UK’s largest repatriation exercise since World War II. I was rostered onto the 23:00 to 08:00 shift and found working through the night was exhausting, but the energy from all CAA colleagues to band together, quickly develop new skills and successfully get the job done was very inspiring.

What would you say to other BWPA members considering a role at the CAA?

If you are passionate about aviation and want to be part of an organisation that exists to make it better, then the CAA is a great place to work.