The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Clacton Airshow) Regulations 2026

This identifies the document as a UK Statutory Instrument, referencing its number (2026 No. 616) and placing it within the domain of Civil Aviation law, specifically naming the regulations concerning flight restrictions at the Clacton Airshow in 2026.

The regulations were formally made by the relevant authority on June 10th, 2026.

Critically, they will legally take effect on August 27th, 2026, which aligns with the start date of the scheduled airshow events.

The Secretary of State determined that restricting flying in a specific area is required for the public good.

This necessity stems directly from the planned holding of flying displays scheduled to occur in that location.

The authority enacting these rules is the Secretary of State.

The legislative power used to create these restrictions comes from Article 239 of the 2016 Air Navigation Order.

This section sets out the formal short title that referring to these rules: The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Clacton Airshow) Regulations 2026.

It confirms that the operative date when these restrictions become legally binding is August 27th, 2026.

This clause clarifies how time must be interpreted for the purposes of the restrictions detailed in Regulation 3(1).

All times mentioned must be understood as Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).

This outlines the core restriction: from 0900 to 1600 UTC on both August 27th and 28th, 2026, aircraft cannot fly lower than 3,500 feet above sea level.

This restriction applies within a circular area having a 3-nautical-mile radius, centered at the specified geographical coordinates (51°46.76' N, 001°08.46' E).

However, the prohibition does not apply to any aircraft that holds a specific operating permission granted by the official Director responsible for the Clacton Airshow's flying displays.

This verifies the document's authorization, being signed on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport on June 10th, 2026, by a named official from the Department for Transport.

Footnote (a) references the primary legislation used (S.I. 2016/765) and a subsequent amendment.

Footnote (b) explains that UTC time is one hour earlier than British Summer Time (BST).

This introductory note, which is not legally part of the regulations, explains that the rules place limits on aircraft movements near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, due to planned public flying displays on August 27th and 28th, 2026.

The basis for imposing restrictions is public safety, as the aircraft participating will execute high-energy maneuvers.

Both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport support restricting air traffic near the display sites for this reason.

This reiterates the time clause: the UTC times specified in Regulation 3(1) are equivalent to one hour behind the local British Summer Time.

Regarding permissions to fly within the restricted zone (Regulation 3(2)), interested parties must contact the Clacton Airshow Flying Display Director using contact details that have been formally notified elsewhere.

Complete operational details regarding these flight restrictions will be formally communicated to the aviation community through an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) and a Notice to Airmen/Air Missions (NOTAM).

This provides a specific contact within the Civil Aviation Authority for inquiries: Mr. David Ridley, who serves as the Airspace Regulator within the Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, and lists his direct telephone number.