Established an emergency restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft around RAF Feltwell with immediate effect on 9 November 2026.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within a 5-nautical-mile radius of RAF Feltwell, Norfolk.
The Secretary of State issued these orders under emergency powers in the interest of public safety.
The restrictions apply to all drone operators, except those flying under the specific direction of the RAF Lakenheath Air Traffic Control Unit.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary for reasons affecting the public interest.
The document states that an emergency has arisen in the specified area necessitating an immediate limitation on flight activity.
The explanatory note indicates that the measures are intended to be temporary and will be revoked once the emergency has passed.
The regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight, allowing unmanned aircraft to operate if directed by the RAF Lakenheath Air Traffic Control Unit.
Arguments Against
The document does not specify the nature of the emergency, which may lead to uncertainty among local residents and aircraft operators regarding the duration or specific risks involved.
Operators of unmanned aircraft may face immediate disruption to planned activities due to the regulations coming into force without prior notice.
The geographical scope is defined by coordinates and nautical miles, which may require technical interpretation by recreational drone users to ensure compliance.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (RAF Feltwell, Norfolk) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section provides the official title of the regulations and establishes their legal validity.
It mandates that the rules apply immediately from the time of signing at 5.40 p.m. on 9 November 2026.
Restricted airspace
- No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200 feet above mean sea level over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
- These Regulations do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by RAF Lakenheath Air Traffic Control Unit.
These sections prohibit drones and other unmanned aircraft from entering the airspace below 1,200 feet within a specific circular zone around RAF Feltwell.
The restriction does not apply if the pilot is acting under the explicit instructions of the Air Traffic Control Unit at RAF Lakenheath.
This ensures that emergency or authorized military-monitored flights can continue while unauthorized civilian or private drones are excluded.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |-----------------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | RAF Feltwell, Norfolk | 5 nautical miles | 522845.87N 0003109.12E |
The Schedule defines the exact geographic boundaries where the flight prohibition applies.
It specifies a circular zone with a 5-nautical-mile radius centered on the coordinates for RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.
Related
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (RAF Mildenhall, Norfolk) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency no-fly zone for unmanned aircraft within five nautical miles of RAF Mildenhall.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (RAF Lakenheath, Norfolk) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency no-fly zone for unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet within five nautical miles of RAF Lakenheath.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Tilbury Docks, Essex) Regulations 2026
Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft near Tilbury Docks for a two-day multi-agency exercise in November 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Hampstead) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted flying zone below 2,500 feet in the Hampstead area on the evening of 5 November 2026.
Read More