The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Shobdon Air Race) Regulations 2026
Restricted airspace below 2,000 feet near Shobdon Aerodrome for the Royal Aero Club Air Race in September 2026.
These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below 2,000 feet above mean sea level in a designated area near Shobdon Aerodrome, Herefordshire, during specific periods on 19 and 20 September 2026.
The restrictions support the safe conduct of the Royal Aero Club Air Race by limiting non-participating traffic in the racing circuit.
These rules apply to all aircraft except those granted specific permission by Shobdon aerodrome flight services or Royal Aero Club race officials.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary in the public interest to ensure safety during the Royal Aero Club Air Race.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the large number of aircraft participating in the race necessitates flight restrictions for public safety.
The regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight within the restricted zone via permissions from specific airfield services or race officials.
Arguments Against
Local pilots or commercial operators not involved in the race may face disruption due to the temporary closure of airspace below 2,000 feet.
The complexity of the geographic coordinates (bounding lines) may require precise navigational equipment or training to ensure unintentional breaches do not occur.
Reliance on specific communication channels for permission (UTC vs BST) could lead to confusion for general aviation pilots not familiar with Co-ordinated Universal Time.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Shobdon Air Race) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 19th September 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 19 September 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(2) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
This section defines the time standard used throughout the document.
It specifies that all listed times are in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the periods specified in paragraph (2), no aircraft is to fly below 2,000 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points-
- (a) 521625N 0025845W,
- (b) 521751N 0025235W,
- (c) 521344N 0024718W,
- (d) 520806N 0025006W,
- (e) 520635N 0025338W,
- (f) 521212N 0030003W, and
- (g) 521625N 0025845W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1)-
- (a) on 19th September 2026-
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, as amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments, but none is relevant.
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
- (i) begin with 1045 hours and end with 1215 hours, and
- (ii) begin with 1345 hour and end with 1545 hours, and
- (b) on 20th September 2026-
- (i) begin with 0945 hours and end with 1145 hours, and
- (ii) begin with 1245 hours and end with 1445 hours.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft, flying in accordance with a permission issued by-
- (a) the Shobdon aerodrome flight information service,
- (b) the Shobdon aerodrome air ground communications service, or
- (c) the Royal Aero Club Records, Racing and Rally Association Race Officials.
This section prohibits flight below 2,000 feet within a specific geographic area defined by seven coordinate points near Shobdon.
It limits this restriction to two distinct windows each day on 19 and 20 September 2026.
Aircraft may only enter this airspace during these times if they receive explicit permission from Shobdon flight services or race officials.
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