The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Clacton Airshow) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 5th Aug 26

Restricted the flying of unmanned aircraft near Clacton-on-Sea for the duration of the 2026 Clacton Airshow.

These regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,100 feet above mean sea level in a specific area near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, on 27 August 2026.

The restriction applies between 16:00 and 20:00 Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) to protect public safety during the Clacton Airshow.

The prohibition affects all unmanned aircraft operators, except those who receive explicit permission from the Essex Police counter UAS Bronze Commander.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that the restriction is necessary in the public interest because of the intended gathering of a large number of persons in the vicinity of Clacton.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that these restrictions are required for reasons of public safety following a request from the Essex Police.
The regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight, allowing the Essex Police counter UAS Bronze Commander to grant specific permissions for unmanned aircraft within the restricted zone.

Arguments Against

Operators of unmanned aircraft may face restricted access to airspace they otherwise have the right to use for commercial or recreational purposes.
The geographic scope is defined by nineteen specific coordinate points, which may require precise technical mapping for operators to ensure compliance.
The legal effect is time-limited to a four-hour window, potentially causing logistical difficulties for any authorized drone operations scheduled around the event periphery.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Clacton Airshow) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 27th August 2026.

This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 27 August 2026.

Interpretation

In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).

( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

This section clarifies that all times mentioned in the document are in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).

It notes that UTC is one hour behind British Summer Time, which is the local time in effect in the UK during the event.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1600 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 27th August 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining consecutively the following points-

(a) 514758.91N 0010840.60E,
(b) 514803.76N 0010907.03E,
(c) 514801.95N 0010943.08E,
(d) 514753.61N 0011008.84E,
(e) 514740.95N 0011027.17E,
(f) 514720.52N 0011048.73E,
(g) 514703.69N 0011052.90E,
(h) 514644.50N 0011045.82E,
(i) 514625.75N 0011026.97E,
(j) 514553.57N 0010908.72E,
(k) 514552.80N 0010826.83S,
(l) 514557.29N 0010757.52E,
(m) 514607.95N 0010733.74E,
(n) 514627.25N 0010712.06E,
(o) 514650.22N 0010705.81E,
(p) 514708.38N 0010712.54E,
(q) 514719.81N 0010722.49E,
(r) 514729.77N 0010735.60E, and
(s) 514758.91N 0010840.60E.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Essex Police counter UAS Bronze Commander.

This section prohibits drones and other unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,100 feet within a specific geographic zone defined by 19 coordinate points.

The ban is active on 27 August 2026 from 16:00 to 20:00 UTC.

Exceptions are permitted if the operator has received prior authorization from the Essex Police counter UAS Bronze Commander.

This official has the power to grant specific flight permissions despite the general restriction.

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