The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Lossiemouth) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted airspace around RAF Lossiemouth for flying displays on 1 October 2026.
These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below 8,000 feet above mean sea level within a specified 6-nautical-mile radius of Royal Air Force Lossiemouth on 1 October 2026.
The restriction applies between 11:15 and 12:45 Co-ordinated Universal Time to accommodate high-energy manoeuvres during the Royal Air Force Number 1 Group Industry Day.
Pilots may only enter this airspace if they have obtained specific permission from the designated Flying Display Directors or the air traffic control unit at RAF Lossiemouth.
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 the restrictions are required for public safety because participating aircraft will perform high-energy manoeuvres.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport have agreed that a restricted area is appropriate for the duration of the event.
Arguments Against
Pilots operating in the region may face disruption to planned routes during the 90-minute window of restriction.
The legal effect depends on the accuracy of the coordinates provided, and any deviation in navigation could lead to a breach of the regulations.
General aviation users without radio contact or awareness of the NOTAM (Notice to Aviation) system may inadvertently enter the restricted 6-nautical-mile radius.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Lossiemouth) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 1st October 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations.
It sets the date the legal requirements take effect as 1 October 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 defines the time standard used for the restrictions.
It specifies that all times are in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), noting that this is one hour behind local British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 1115 hours and ending with 1245 hours on 1st October 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 8,000 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 6 nautical miles which is centred at 574225N 0032015W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft operating in accordance with a permission issued by-
- (a) Flying Display Director Squadron Leader Dan Wilkes,
- (b) Flying Display Director Flight Lieutenant Simon Day, or
- (c) the air traffic control unit at Royal Air Force Lossiemouth.
This section creates a circular zone of restricted airspace with a 6-nautical-mile radius around the coordinates 574225N 0032015W, extending from the surface up to 8,000 feet.
It prohibits all flight within this area during the specified 90-minute window on 1 October 2026.
However, it permits exceptions for aircraft that receive explicit authorization from the named Flying Display Directors or the RAF Lossiemouth air traffic control unit.
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