The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Builth Wells, Powys) Regulations 2026
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Builth Wells, Powys) Regulations 2026 prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 2,100 feet above mean sea level within a specific one-nautical-mile radius of Builth Wells.
These restrictions apply from 0700 hours on 20 July 2026 until 1700 hours on 23 July 2026 to manage airspace during a large public gathering.
The mandate applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, except those who receive explicit permission from the Dyfed-Powys Police Air Space Co-ordinator.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The explanatory note states that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree the measures are necessary for reasons of public safety and security during the Royal Welsh Show.
The regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight, allowing the Dyfed-Powys Police Air Space Co-ordinator to grant permissions for unmanned aircraft to operate within the restricted zone.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may cite the restriction as a limitation on the use of airspace for commercial or recreational purposes during the four-day period.
Specific groups or individuals may find the centralized permission structure through the Dyfed-Powys Police Air Space Co-ordinator creates an administrative burden for authorized drone flights.
Legal scholars might note that the restriction applies specifically to unmanned aircraft, creating a different regulatory standard compared to crewed aviation in the same area.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Builth Wells, Powys) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 20th July 2026.
This section establishes the official title of the legal instrument.
It sets the date for when the regulations become legally enforceable as 20 July 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section defines the time standard used throughout the document.
It specifies that all listed times follow Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0700 hours on 20th July 2026 and ending with 1700 hours on 23rd July 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 2,100 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1 nautical mile which is centred at 520929N 0032427W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Dyfed-Powys Police Air Space Co-ordinator.
This section prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying within a circle of one nautical mile radius centered at specific geographic coordinates near Builth Wells.
The restriction applies to altitudes below 2,100 feet above mean sea level during the specified window in July 2026.
It also provides an exception for flights authorized by the Dyfed-Powys Police Air Space Co-ordinator.
This allows certain unmanned aircraft to operate within the restricted zone if they have obtained prior official permission.
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