The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Blandford Forum) Regulations 2026
Restricted unmanned aircraft flight near Blandford Forum for a Royal visit on 16 July 2026.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft within a specific radius of Blandford Forum, Dorset, on 16 July 2026.
The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft flying below 1,300 feet above mean sea level between 09:00 and 15:00 UTC, unless they have received explicit permission from the Dorset Police Drone Team.
These measures are intended to facilitate public safety and security during a scheduled Royal visit.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restriction is necessary in the public interest due to an intended Royal visit.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The restriction was requested by the Dorset Police to manage the airspace during the event.
Arguments Against
Recreational and commercial drone operators may cite the disruption to planned activities within the 0.54 nautical mile radius.
Operators might point to the complexity of converting Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) to British Summer Time (BST) when determining the exact period of the ban.
Legal observers may note that the specific location of the "Royal visit" is not named beyond a coordinate, limiting public awareness for those not using aviation charts.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Blandford Forum) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 16th July 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations.
It sets the date the legal requirements take effect as 16 July 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section defines the time standard used for the flight restrictions.
It specifies that Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) applies, which is one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0900 hours and ending with 1500 hours on 16th July 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 0.54 of a nautical mile centred at 505122N 0020953W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Dorset Police Drone Team.
This section prohibits the flight of drones and other unmanned aircraft within a 0.54 nautical mile radius of the specified coordinates at Blandford Forum.
The ban is active from 09:00 to 15:00 UTC and applies to all altitudes below 1,300 feet above mean sea level.
Individuals seeking to fly unmanned aircraft in this zone during these hours must obtain prior permission from the Dorset Police Drone Team.
Failure to comply with these restrictions would constitute a violation of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Related
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (Emergency) (No.2) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted flight zone for unmanned aircraft in Middlesborough due to an emergency.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
Revoked emergency flight restrictions in the Middlesbrough area with immediate effect on 24 August 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft over Middlesborough effective 22 August 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Restricted the use of drones and other unmanned aircraft near Murrayfield Stadium during a public event on 28 August 2026.
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