Established an emergency no-fly zone for unmanned aircraft within five nautical miles of RAF Mildenhall.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft at altitudes below 1,200 feet within a specified radius of RAF Mildenhall.
The restrictions apply to all drone operators and unmanned aerial vehicles, except those flying under the specific direction of the RAF Lakenheath Air Traffic Control Unit.
The Secretary of State issued these orders under emergency powers to address a public interest concern identified at 5:40 p.m. on 9 November 2026.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to an emergency that has arisen in the area.
The Explanatory Note states that the measures are intended to be temporary and will be revoked once the emergency has passed.
The document cites Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 as the legal basis for exercising these emergency powers.
Arguments Against
The legislation does not define the specific nature of the "emergency," which may lead to uncertainty for local residents and pilots regarding the duration of the restrictions.
Operators of unmanned aircraft must rely on RAF Lakenheath Air Traffic Control for exemptions, which may create administrative burdens for legitimate commercial or research flights in the Norfolk area.
Legal observers may note that the immediate commencement at 5:40 p.m. provides no prior notice period for aircraft already in transit or planned for flight near the coordinates.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (RAF Mildenhall, Norfolk) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section establishes the official title of the statutory instrument.
It mandates that the rules take legal effect immediately upon being made at 5:40 p.m. on 9 November 2026.
Restricted airspace
- No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200 feet above mean sea level over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
- These Regulations do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by RAF Lakenheath Air Traffic Control Unit.
This section prohibits unmanned aircraft, such as drones, from entering the airspace below 1,200 feet within the designated zone.
It provides an exception for aircraft that receive explicit authorization and instructions from the Air Traffic Control Unit at RAF Lakenheath.
The restriction covers a circular area with a 5-nautical-mile radius centered on the coordinates provided in the schedule.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |-------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | RAF Mildenhall, Norfolk | 5 nautical miles | 522142.96N 0002911.06E |
The schedule defines the exact geographic boundaries of the restricted flight zone.
It specifies that the restrictions apply to a 5-nautical-mile radius around RAF Mildenhall, centered at latitude 522142.96N and longitude 0002911.06E.
Related
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (RAF Feltwell, Norfolk) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft around RAF Feltwell with immediate effect on 9 November 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (RAF Lakenheath, Norfolk) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency no-fly zone for unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet within five nautical miles of RAF Lakenheath.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Tilbury Docks, Essex) Regulations 2026
Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft near Tilbury Docks for a two-day multi-agency exercise in November 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Hampstead) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted flying zone below 2,500 feet in the Hampstead area on the evening of 5 November 2026.
Read More