Restricted flight operations in the vicinity of Melcombe Bingham for national defence purposes on 26 August 2026.
These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below 6,000 feet above mean sea level within a specified 5-nautical-mile radius of Melcombe Bingham, Dorset.
The restrictions apply to all aircraft on 26 August 2026 between 08:00 and 15:00 UTC, with exceptions for police, emergency medical services, and those with specific permission from the Airspace Co-ordinator.
The Secretary of State issued this mandate under the Air Navigation Order 2016 citing national defence requirements.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary for reasons of national defence.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that these restrictions are required to ensure the security of the specified airspace.
The order allows for essential services, such as police and emergency medical flights, to continue operations within the restricted zone.
The document provides a mechanism for other aircraft to enter the zone if they obtain specific permission from the designated Airspace Co-ordinator.
Arguments Against
The regulations impose a temporary prohibition on civil aviation, which may disrupt planned private or commercial flight paths in the Dorset area.
Pilots must account for the difference between Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) used in the regulations and British Summer Time (BST), creating a potential for navigational timing errors.
The document does not specify the exact nature of the national defence requirement, which may lead to questions regarding the necessity of the 5-nautical-mile radius.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Melcombe Bingham) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 26th August 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations.
It sets the date on which the legal requirements become active as 26 August 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
This section clarifies the time standard used for the restrictions.
It specifies that all stated times follow Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), noting that this is one hour behind the local British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), beginning with 0800 hours and ending with 1500 hours on 26th August 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 6,000 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 5 nautical miles centred at 504906N 0021931W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply-
- (a) to any aircraft operated by or on behalf of-
- (i) a Police Air Support Unit,
- (ii) an Emergency Medical Service, or
- (b) to any aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the Airspace Co-ordinator.
This section prohibits flight below 6,000 feet within a 5-nautical-mile radius of a specific coordinate near Melcombe Bingham during a seven-hour window.
It creates legal exemptions for police and medical emergency aircraft.
Additionally, it permits other aircraft to enter the restricted zone if they receive authorized clearance from the Airspace Co-ordinator.
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