The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Saltby) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace zone in the vicinity of Saltby, Lincolnshire, to facilitate the National Glider Aerobatic Championships.
The order prohibits aircraft from flying below 5,600 feet above mean sea level within a specified 2-nautical-mile radius between 07:00 and 19:00 hours from 31st July to 2nd August 2026.
These restrictions apply to all aircraft except those granted specific permission by the Glider Aerobatic contest director.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended holding of an aerobatic competition.
The explanatory note states that aircraft will perform high-energy manoeuvres, necessitating flight restrictions for reasons of public safety.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the measures are appropriate for the duration of the National Glider Aerobatic Championships.
Arguments Against
General aviation pilots or local airfield users might argue that the 2-nautical-mile radial restriction limits the availability of navigable airspace for non-participating aircraft.
Legal scholars might note that the regulations delegate discretionary power to a private individual (the Glider Aerobatic contest director) to grant or deny access to public airspace.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Saltby) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 31st July 2026.
This section establishes the official title of the legal instrument.
It sets the date the regulations become legally active as 31st July 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This provision clarifies that all time references within the document use Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
This standard is noted as being one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0700 hours and ending with 1900 hours on each of the three days beginning with 31st July 2026 and ending with 2nd August 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 5,600 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles which is centred at 524947N 0004245W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft operating in accordance with a permission issued by the Glider Aerobatic contest director.
Subsection 1 prohibits aircraft from entering a circular zone of 2 nautical miles radius centered at coordinates 524947N 0004245W at altitudes below 5,600 feet.
The restriction is active daily from 07:00 to 19:00 UTC during the specified three-day window.
Subsection 2 provides an exemption for aircraft that have received explicit authorization from the designated contest director.
This allows participating or authorized aircraft to operate within the restricted zone while excluding general air traffic.
Related
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Cardiff) Regulations 2026
Prohibited unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,100 feet within a specific area of Cardiff on 16 July 2026.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dovestones Reservoir, Manchester) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Established an emergency restricted flight zone below 3,000 feet around Dovestones Reservoir.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dovestones Reservoir, Manchester) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
Revoked the emergency flight restrictions at Dovestones Reservoir, Manchester, with immediate effect.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dovestones Reservoir, Manchester) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted flight zone below 3,000 feet around Dovestones Reservoir due to a local emergency.
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