These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level in a specific area of South Cerney, Gloucestershire, between 17 July and 18 July 2026.
The mandate applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, with an exception for those who receive express permission from the Ministry of Defence Police control room.
The Secretary of State issued these restrictions to ensure safety and security during scheduled VIP visits.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest because of scheduled VIP visits to the area.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The Ministry of Defence Police requested the restriction to manage the airspace during the event.
Arguments Against
Hobbyist drone operators and commercial unmanned aircraft pilots may face disruption to planned activities within the designated coordinates during the 46-hour period.
Legal scholars or civil liberties groups might question the proportionality of geographic restrictions if the specific security requirements of the VIP visit are not fully disclosed.
The reliance on Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) rather than British Summer Time (BST) may lead to confusion regarding the exact start and end times for local residents and operators.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (South Cerney) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 17th July 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 17 July 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This provision clarifies that the time format used in the document is Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Under the British Summer Time (BST) observed in July, the actual local time is one hour ahead of the times listed in these regulations.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0001 hours on 17th July 2026 and ending with 2200 hours on 18th July 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points-
- (a) 514032N 0015647W,
- (b) 514030N 0015245W,
- (c) 514208N 0015208W,
- (d) 514240N 0015437W,
- (e) 514156N 0015743W,
- (f) 514106N 0015748W, and
- (g) 514032N 0015647W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Ministry of Defence Police control room.
This section defines a specific geographical boundary and altitude limit where unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, are prohibited from flying.
The restriction remains in effect from 00:01 on 17 July until 22:00 on 18 July 2026, covering altitudes up to 1,400 feet above mean sea level.
Operators may only fly in this area if they obtain prior authorization from the Ministry of Defence Police control room.
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