"The Journey" is a animated presentation to help you discover how the CAA is involved in the various stages of a journey by air.
The presentation is split into a number of pages, each detailing a different aspect of the CAA's involvement in air journeys. Each page contains a basic animated scene and either explanatory text, or an audible commentary. This transcript provides a description of the animation and then either the explanatory text or a transcript of the audible commentary.
The animation is in a line-drawing style, using the silhouette of a "cartoon" person carrying a suitcase to symbolise a typical person taking a flight. This person will be referred to as "our passenger" throughout this transcript.
If you book an air holiday, a charter flight or a discounted scheduled ticket with a tour operator, the CAA's Consumer Protection Group (CPG) ensures that your money is protected through the Air Travel Organiser's Licensing (ATOL) system. This means that if the operator you have booked with goes out of business you will be able to claim a full refund if you haven't travelled or, if you are abroad when it fails, you'll be able to continue your holiday and return home at the end of it.
If you are travelling on a scheduled flight, the Economic Regulation Group (ERG) seeks to ensure that you can buy a fully flexible, economy fare that is in line with the airline's costs.
If you book your holiday with a tour operator, you should find enclosed with your tickets the Safety Regulation Group's (SRG) Travelling Safely leaflet. [Additional Note not shown within 'The Journey': The Travelling Safely Leaflet can also be downloaded.] This gives you information on which items (e.g. fireworks) are classed as dangerous goods and are not safe to be carried on aircraft. A single cigarette lighter can be carried on the person but must not be packed in the hold. It is against UK law to carry dangerous goods on board aircraft.
Airport operators charge airlines for using their airports and these charges are included in the cost of your ticket. ERG regulates these charges at some UK airports to ensure that they are competitive. SRG licenses UK aerodromes and ensures that airfield services meet safety requirements.
SRG enforces the Dangerous Goods Regulations of UK aviation law and this is why you will see notices on check-in desks reminding you which items cannot be carried on board. Airline staff will ask you to confirm that there are no dangerous items in your luggage, which will also be checked by airport security.
Under UK aviation law it is an offence to enter an aircraft whilst drunk or to be drunk on board an aircraft. Offenders face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to two years in prison for drunk or disorderly conduct. The CAA's Travelling Safely leaflet, mentioned earlier, sets out the law regarding alcohol and conduct.
At the airport, whilst waiting to board you may well be approached by a member of the CAA Surveys Team who would be interested in gathering information in relation to your journey.
All UK airlines require at least two licences issued by the CAA to operate. The Air Operator's Certificate is a safety requirement granted by SRG, and the Air Operator Licence, which covers a range of items such as finance and insurance, is granted by CPG. For flights outside the EU airlines also require specific Route Licences granted by CPG.
An aircraft must be certified by the CAA before it can be put into operation by a UK registered airline. It is SRG's responsibility to check that an aircraft's design and systems meet requirements, and to continue to monitor the aircraft's airworthiness in terms of engineering throughout its life.
SRG's Flight Crew Licensing Department ensures that your pilot and his crew have the required skills and experience and have passed a medical examination. CAA is responsible for licensing and monitoring 48,000 professional and private pilots.
It is a CAA requirement that UK airlines give a safety briefing before take-off. Information is provided on what to do in an emergency and where the nearest exits are located.
[Note: An audible commentary of a typical safety briefing can now be heard. After this finishes, the following text appears.]
The CAA has specific requirements regarding young children travelling on UK registered aircraft. A child under 6 months of age must sit on the parent's lap and be secured using a supplementary loop attached to the parent's seat belt. Between the age of 6 months and 2 years the child must either sit as described above, or, in accordance with certain CAA criteria, the airline may allow the child to be fastened in a car safety seat secured in its own aircraft seat. You are advised to check with the airline before booking. Between 2 years and 3 years of age the child can either be fastened in a car seat as above or have their own seat. From the age of 3 years a child must sit in their own aircraft seat.
Before we take off, your captain asks that you familiarise yourself with our safety procedures and equipment.
[Note: music fades away.]
Lets look first at the safety features immediately around your seat.
[Note: the animation changes to show a "fasten seatbelt" sign.]
Whenever the sign is on, fasten your seatbelt securely. Insert the metal tag into the buckle and tighten by pulling on the loose end. We'll provide extension seatbelts for infants.
When seated we recommend you keep your seatbelt securely fastened even when the sign is off, but to undo the belt, simply lift up the metal flap on the buckle and pull apart.
[Note: the animation changes to show an oxygen mask coming down.]
If the cabin air system should fail, oxygen masks will be released from the panel just above your seat. Stay in your seat and pull the mask towards you to open your oxygen supply. Place it over your mouth and nose as quickly as possible and adjust the band to secure it. Then breath normally. Do make sure your own mask is correctly fitted before helping anyone else.
[Note: the animation changes to show the member of cabin crew wearing a lifejacket.]
Your lifejacket is either beside or underneath your seat. To use it, take it out of the container and place it over your head. Pass the tapes around your waist and tie them securely in a double bow at your side. Inflate your lifejacket when you leave the aircraft. We'll supply life cots for babies and lifejackets for infants.
In the unlikely event of the aircraft having to make an emergency landing, you'll be told to take this protective brace position which is shown on your safety card. High-heeled shoes must be taken off as they may tear the evacuation slide.
[Note: gentle music fades in.]
We will now explain how to leave the aircraft in an emergency.
Move quickly to the closest usable exit leaving your hand baggage behind. Emergency lighting at floor level will help you find your way to the exits. These are clearly signed. Your crew will now point out the exits nearest to you.
[Note: the animation changes to show the aircraft door positions.]
The doors are opened by moving the handle in the direction of the red arrow. Opening the doors automatically inflates the evacuation slides. The slide can also be inflated by pulling this handle. Jump onto the slide and move away from the aircraft. If the aircraft has landed on water these slides detach to form rafts.
As you leave the aircraft, inflate your lifejacket by pulling the red tag. If necessary, blow into this mouthpiece to top up the air. A light will come on automatically on contact with water and there's a whistle for attracting attention. [Note: a whistle can be heard.]
[Note: gentle music fades in and the animation changes to show a "no smoking" sign and a "no electronic equipment" sign.]
We'd like to remind you that smoking is not permitted onboard this flight and that portable electronic equipment may interfere with the aircraft systems. Games and word processing equipment must be switched off for take off and landing, and mobile phones for the duration of the flight.
Always make sure your hand baggage isn't blocking the aisles or exits. It should be put under the seat infront of you or in an overhead locker, but place items in the locker carefully as they may fall and injure someone.
As we prepare for take off please make sure that your tray table is put away, your seat is upright and your armrest is down. Please stow your handset, individual video screen and leg rest if you have them.
Finally take a look at the safety card in the seat pocket in front of you. If you have any questions please ask your crew. We hope you have a relaxed and enjoyable flight.
UK airspace is managed by the CAA's Directorate of Airspace Policy (DAP). DAP allocates the airspace to different control agencies so that it can be used safely and efficiently. As your flight enters each controlling agency's sector it will be handled by a different set of air traffic controllers.
SRG oversee the safety procedures of UK air traffic control and can recommend changes where necessary.
The charges which air traffic control service providers levy on airlines using UK airspace is regulated by ERG.
CPG enforces a number of legal requirements that exist for customer protection, such as EU Regulations on Denied Boarding Compensation and Passenger Liability. It also monitors a voluntary code of conduct to which UK airlines have committed, which covers the way in which airlines look after their passengers.
End of "The Journey" transcript.
