Restricted flight operations within a 3-nautical-mile radius of Little Gransden Aerodrome on 30 August 2026.
These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace zone around Little Gransden Aerodrome, Cambridgeshire, to protect the public and participants during scheduled air displays.
The order prohibits all aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, from flying below 5,500 feet within a specified three-nautical-mile radius unless they have received explicit permission from the event's Flying Display Director.
These restrictions apply to all pilots and aircraft operators during the afternoon of 30 August 2026.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to scheduled flying displays.
The explanatory note states that aircraft will perform high-energy manoeuvres, necessitating restrictions to ensure public safety.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport have reached an agreement that flying should be restricted in the vicinity of the event to manage safety risks.
Arguments Against
General aviation pilots or recreational drone users may argue that temporary restricted areas (TRAs) limit the use of navigable airspace for those not participating in the event.
Legal observers might note that the regulations grant broad discretionary power to a private individual, the Flying Display Director, to permit or deny access to public airspace.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Little Gransden Airshow) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 30th August 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 30 August 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section defines the time standard used throughout the document.
It specifies that all listed times follow Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1100 hours and ending with 1630 hours on 30th August 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 5,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 3 nautical miles whose centre is at 520959N 0000914W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft operating in accordance with the permission of the Little Gransden Airshow Flying Display Director.
This section prohibits flight within a specific circular zone around the airshow between 11:00 and 16:30 UTC. The restriction extends from the ground up to an altitude of 5,500 feet above mean sea level.
It provides an exception for aircraft that have obtained prior authorisation from the individual designated as the Flying Display Director for the event.
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