Regulation and compliance

In 2023/24, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) carried out eight external audits on activities at NPAS headquarters and regional air bases. 

The purpose of these audits is to ensure NPAS is complying with CAA regulations, in addition to its own operating procedures. 

A further two external audits were conducted by AHUK, the approved organisation that delivers maintenance to our helicopter fleet. 

The annual programme of internal and external audits primarily focuses on two key areas - flight operations (including training) and the continuing airworthiness of our aircraft. 

In addition, our internal team conducts audits with third-party suppliers, including engineering contractors, fuel providers and even small, independent airfields that we might sometimes use for re-fuelling. 

The Civil Aviation Authority declared no findings following the audits of regional air bases. 

This is testament to the exceptionally high standards by which our bases are managed and operated. 

There was one recorded finding following the annual audit of our headquarters activity. 

The regulator recommended that our Compliance Team conducts a specific audit on the procedures for approving our Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), rather than including it as part of wider audits, as had previously been the case. 

Implementing this change has led to enhancements in the way we manage the NVIS equipment, and introduced a more effective pre-use set-up process. Internally, the Compliance Team continues to focus its audit work on NPAS operational procedures, ensuring they are effective and consistently followed.