The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Silverstone Grand Prix) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft near Silverstone during the 2026 British Grand Prix for public safety.
These Regulations establish a restricted airspace zone around the Silverstone motor-racing circuit to prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft during the 2026 British Grand Prix.
The mandate applies to all unmanned aircraft flying below 1,600 feet above mean sea level within a one-nautical-mile radius of the circuit's center, unless the operator has obtained specific permission from the Northamptonshire Police. The restrictions are active during specific hourly windows between July 2nd and July 5th, 2026.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended holding of the Silverstone Grand Prix.
The explanatory note states that the Northamptonshire Police requested the restrictions to ensure public safety in the vicinity of a large gathering of persons.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport concur that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted for the duration of the event.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may cite the loss of access to airspace during the specified windows as a limitation on recreational or commercial activity.
Legal scholars might note that the regulations grant Northamptonshire Police discretionary power to issue permissions, which may lack a publicised framework for appeal or criteria for approval.
The restricted periods involve multiple transitions between Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) and British Summer Time (BST), which could lead to inadvertent non-compliance by operators if time conversions are misunderstood.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Silverstone Grand Prix) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 2nd July 2026.
This section establishes the official title of the legal instrument and sets the date it becomes legally effective. The regulations begin operation on July 2nd, 2026.
Interpretation
- In regulation 3(2) 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 provision clarifies that all time references in the following section are based on Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC).
It reminds operators that UTC is one hour behind the local British Summer Time used during the event.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the periods specified in paragraph (2) no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,600 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1 nautical mile which is centred at 520417N 0010056W.
(2) The periods referred to in paragraph (1) begin with-
- (a) 1000 hours and end with 2200 hours on 2nd July 2026,
- (b) 0600 hours and end with 0800 hours, and begin with 1800 hours and end with 2200 hours on 3 July 2026,
- (c) 0600 hours and end with 0700 hours, and begin with 1900 hours and end with 2200 hours on 4 July 2026, and
- (d) 0500 hours and end with 0600 hours, and begin with 2000 hours and end with 2200 hours on 05 July 2026.
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft operating in accordance with a permission issued by Northamptonshire Police.
This section prohibits the flight of unmanned aircraft, such as drones, within a specified circular zone around the Silverstone circuit at altitudes below 1,600 feet.
It details the specific dates and hours when these flight restrictions are active. It also creates an exemption for any operator who has received prior authorization from the Northamptonshire Police.
Related
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Chapeltown, South Yorkshire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Chapeltown due to a local emergency.
Read MoreThe Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Updated the Ministry of Defence Police disciplinary code to mandate dismissal for gross misconduct and simplified performance management into a two-stage process.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Mayflower Park, Southampton) Regulations 2026
Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft at Mayflower Park, Southampton, during the 2026 International Boat Show.
Read More