The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Speedbird Air Festival) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted airspace near Wycombe Air Park for the Speedbird Air Festival on 4 August 2026.
These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below 2,500 feet above mean sea level within a specified three-nautical-mile radius around Wycombe Air Park, Buckinghamshire, on 4 August 2026.
The restrictions apply between 08:00 and 20:30 Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) to facilitate the Speedbird Air Festival.
Pilots are exempt from these restrictions only if they obtain express permission from the Wycombe Air Park Airfield Manager, the event's Air Operations Manager, or the Flying Display Director.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary in the public interest to ensure safety during scheduled flying displays.
The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority state that the high-energy manoeuvres performed by participating aircraft necessitate a restricted zone to protect the public.
The regulations establish a specific 3-nautical-mile radius and altitude limit (2,500 feet) to provide a defined safety buffer for the event.
Arguments Against
General aviation pilots or local drone operators may view the restrictions as an interruption to standard flight paths and airpark accessibility during the festival hours.
Critics might argue that the 12.5-hour duration of the restriction (08:00 to 20:30 UTC) is broader than necessary for a single day of displays.
Precise coordination relies on the availability of the Air Operations Manager or Flying Display Director, which may present logistical challenges for pilots seeking urgent clearance.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Speedbird Air Festival) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 4th August 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 4 August 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 document.
It clarifies that all listed times are in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0800 hours and ending with 2030 hours on 4th August 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 2,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 3 nautical miles which is centred at 513642N 0004830W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft operating in accordance with a permission issued by the-
- (a) Wycombe Air Park Airfield Manager,
- (b) Speedbird Air Festival Air Operations Manager, or
- (c) Speedbird Air Festival Flying Display Director.
This provision creates a circular zone of restricted airspace with a radius of 3 nautical miles centered on the coordinates 513642N 0004830W. Within this area, aircraft are prohibited from flying at altitudes lower than 2,500 feet above mean sea level between 08:00 and 20:30 UTC.
Exceptions to this prohibition are granted to aircraft that have received specific permission from authorized event personnel.
Those authorized to grant such permission include the Wycombe Air Park Airfield Manager or the Speedbird Air Festival's Air Operations Manager and Flying Display Director.
Related
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2026
Transferred the power to authorize street work charges from central government to regional Mayors effective 29 October 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 9) Regulations 2026
Established temporary restricted airspace and altitude limits for a helicopter flight transiting through five English counties on 26 October 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Plymouth, Devon) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
Lifted emergency flight restrictions in Plymouth, Devon, effective immediately on 23 October 2026.
Read MoreThe Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 3 and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Delayed the implementation of new anti-social behaviour case review procedures that were due to begin on 26 October 2026.
Read More