The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Epsom) Regulations 2026
These Regulations establish a temporary restriction on the flying of unmanned aircraft below 1,700 feet above mean sea level within a 2 nautical mile radius centered near Epsom on June 5th and 6th, 2026, between 0700 and 1900 hours Co-ordinated Universal Time daily, due to the anticipated large public gathering for the Epsom Downs Derby, with exceptions made only for aircraft authorized by the Epsom Heliport temporary Air Traffic Control Unit or those operated by Surrey Police.
Arguments For
Ensuring public safety and security during a large-scale public event like the Epsom Derby by restricting the operation of uncertificated or potentially disruptive unmanned aircraft below a specified altitude.
Maintaining air safety standards around the event by controlling the airspace, mitigating risks associated with unauthorized aerial surveillance or accidental interference with manned aviation operations.
Utilising existing statutory powers granted under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to safeguard gatherings of persons deemed necessary by the Secretary of State.
Arguments Against
Imposing temporary restrictions on legitimate commercial or recreational drone operations within the defined airspace during the specified two-day period, requiring operators to seek special permissions.
Creating an administrative burden for authorized operators who must obtain permission from the temporary Air Traffic Control Unit or for law enforcement agencies who must coordinate movements with Surrey Police.
Using public safety justification for controlling airspace, which could be viewed by some as an overreach into airspace usage unless demonstrably necessary for the specific event dates and times.
2026 No. 423
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Epsom) Regulations 2026
| Made - - - | 15th April 2026 | |---------------------|-------------------| | Coming into force - | 5th June 2026 |
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intended gathering there of a large number of persons.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
This document establishes The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Epsom) Regulations 2026, registered as Statutory Instrument number 423 of 2026.
It sets the date of being made as April 15th, 2026, and the date it comes into force as June 5th, 2026, under the Civil Aviation heading.
The Secretary of State initiated these rules because restricting unmanned aircraft flight in a specific area is deemed necessary for the public interest.
This necessity arises from planning for a significant assembly of people at that location.
The power to create these regulations stems from Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Epsom) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 5th June 2026.
The first regulation provides the official short title for this legislation, calling it the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Epsom) Regulations 2026.
It confirms that the legal restrictions outlined begin to operate on June 5th, 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section defines the time standard used throughout the main restriction clause, Regulation 3(1).
All times specified in that clause must be understood as Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), beginning with 0700 hours and ending with 1900 hours on each of the 5th and 6th June 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,700 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles centred at 511811N 0001511W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft-
- (a) flying with a permission issued by the temporary Air Traffic Control Unit at Epsom Heliport, or
- (b) operated by, or on behalf of, Surrey Police.
Paragraph (1) establishes the core restriction: between 0700 and 1900 UTC on June 5th and 6th, 2026, no drone can fly under 1,700 feet above sea level.
The restricted zone is defined geographically as a 2 nautical mile circle around the coordinates 51 degrees, 18 minutes, 11 seconds North latitude and 0 degrees, 15 minutes, 11 seconds West longitude.
Paragraph (2) details the exceptions to this ban.
The restriction does not affect any unmanned aircraft that either holds explicit permission from the temporary Air Traffic Control Unit established at Epsom Heliport or any drone being flown by or for the Surrey Police.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
15th April 2026
Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport
This section confirms the document was officially signed on April 15th, 2026, under the authority of the Secretary of State for Transport by Karen L Michaels, a Grade 7 officer within the Department for Transport.
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
Footnote (a) provides the legislative reference for the powers used, citing the Air Navigation Order 2016 (SI 2016/765), noting it has been amended by SI 2024/990, but stating no other amendments are relevant to this order.
Footnote (b) clarifies the time conversion, noting that Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Epsom Racecourse for the Epsom Downs Derby that is due to take place there on 5th and 6th June 2026. The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted in the vicinity of the event for reasons of public safety and security due to the intended gathering of a large number of persons.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permissions mentioned in regulation 3(2)(a), the Air Traffic Control unit at Epsom Heliport may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this Statutory Instrument will be promulgated by Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) and Notice to Aviation (NOTAM).
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr Thomas Shainberg, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, contactable on telephone number 03301 382515.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that the purpose of the regulations is to restrict unmanned aircraft (drone) flights near Epsom Racecourse for the Derby held on June 5th and 6th, 2026.
Both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport concur on the necessity of these flight restrictions based on public safety and security concerns due to the expected crowds.
It reiterates that the times in Regulation 3(1) are UTC, which is one hour behind BST. It also advises that details about permissions needed under regulation 3(2)(a) are available through notified channels at the Epsom Heliport's ATC unit.
The formal details of this Statutory Instrument will be disseminated through Aeronautical Information Circulars (AIC) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAM).
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