These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace in the vicinity of Royal Air Force Odiham, Hampshire, to facilitate the safe conduct of the Odiham Families Day flying displays.
The order prohibits aircraft from flying below 4,000 feet above mean sea level within a specified 3 nautical mile radius on 31st July 2026 between 1100 and 1615 hours Co-ordinated Universal Time. These restrictions apply to all aircraft except those granted specific permission by the Odiham Families Day Flying Display Director or designated air traffic control units at RAF Odiham, RAF Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre South, or Farnborough Airport.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the 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 specify that the measures are a response to the safety risks inherent in the display activities scheduled for the location.
Arguments Against
Pilots or commercial operators not participating in the event may face disruptions to planned flight paths within the 3 nautical mile radius.
General aviation stakeholders often note that temporary restricted areas (TRAs) increase the complexity of airspace management and require strict compliance with Notice to Aviation (NOTAM) bulletins to avoid infringements.
The legal effect is time-bound and limited by altitude, but creates a period of localized airspace closure that depends on the coordination of multiple air traffic control units for any permitted exceptions.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Odiham) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 31st July 2026.
This section establishes the official title of the legal instrument and sets the date it becomes legally active. The regulations take effect on 31 July 2026, coinciding with the scheduled event.
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 provision defines the time standard used for the flight restrictions.
It specifies that Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the applicable standard, noting that it is one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1100 hours and ending with 1615 hours on 31st July 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 4,000 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 3 nautical miles which is centred at 511409N 0005634W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft operating in accordance with a permission issued by the-
- (a) Odiham Families Day Flying Display Director,
- (b) air traffic control unit at Royal Air Force Odiham,
- (c) Royal Air Force Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre South, or
- (d) air traffic control unit at Farnborough Airport.
This section mandates a restriction on all flight activity below 4,000 feet within a specific geographic circle centered at the coordinates provided.
The restriction is active for a five-hour and fifteen-minute window on 31 July 2026.
It further identifies specific authorities who may grant exemptions to this prohibition.
Pilots must obtain permission from the Flying Display Director or one of the listed military or civilian air traffic control units to enter the restricted zone.
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