Established temporary restricted airspace near Old Buckenham Aerodrome for the duration of the 2026 Airshow.
These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace zone around Old Buckenham Aerodrome, Norfolk, on July 25 and July 26, 2026.
They prohibit any aircraft from flying below 10,300 feet above mean sea level within a 5-nautical-mile radius of the site during specified hours, unless granted explicit permission by the event's Flying Display Director or Organiser.
The measures apply to all civil and military aviation not otherwise exempted to ensure safety during public flying displays.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that restricting flying in the specified area is necessary in the public interest because of scheduled flying displays.
The explanatory note states that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree the restrictions are required for public safety because participating aircraft will engage in high-energy manoeuvres.
The regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight within the restricted zone via permission from the Flying Display Director or Event Organiser.
Arguments Against
General aviation pilots or local airfield operators may face temporary disruption to flight paths and schedules within the 5-nautical-mile radius.
Legal observers might note that restricted airspace relies on pilots receiving and interpreting timely notifications via Briefing Sheets and Notices to Aviation (NOTAM).
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Old Buckenham Airshow) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 25th July 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the statutory instrument and sets the date it becomes legally effective as July 25, 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This provision specifies that Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) serves as the standard for all times mentioned in the restricted airspace requirements.
During the period these regulations are active, UTC is one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1100 hours and ending with 1830 hours on each of the two days of 25th and 26th July 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 10,300 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 5 nautical miles which is centred at 522951N 0010307E.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft operating in accordance with a permission issued by—
- (a) the Old Buckenham Airshow Flying Display Director, or
- (b) the Old Buckenham Airshow Event Organiser.
This section prohibits flight below 10,300 feet within a specific circular zone centered on Old Buckenham between 11:00 and 18:30 UTC on July 25 and 26, 2026.
It grants an exception to aircraft that have obtained prior authorization from the designated Flying Display Director or the event organiser.
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