The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Sleap) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 19th Jun 26

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Sleap) Regulations 2026 establishes temporary restricted airspace around Sleap aerodrome, Shropshire, to accommodate the SleapKosh flying displays.

The Secretary of State for Transport prohibits aircraft from flying within defined circular areas and altitudes on July 10 and 11, 2026, unless they have permission from the SleapKosh Flying Display Director.

These restrictions apply to all civil aircraft and are intended to ensure public safety during high-energy aerial manoeuvres.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that flight restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to the intended holding of flying displays.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that restrictions are required for public safety because involved aircraft will perform high-energy manoeuvres.
The document specifies that the SleapKosh Flying Display Director may grant permissions for specific aircraft to operate within the restricted zones, providing a mechanism for authorized access.

Arguments Against

Pilots or operators not briefed via Notice to Aviation (NOTAM) might find the altitude and radius restrictions complex to navigate given the differing dimensions between the two dates.
Commercial or private aviators in the Shropshire area may face temporary transit delays or fuel costs due to the requirement to circumnavigate the 2-nautical-mile and 6-nautical-mile exclusion zones.
Stakeholders might note that the regulations rely on future promulgation via Briefing Sheets for full details, which could lead to administrative delays in information reaching all affected parties.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Sleap) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 10th July 2026.

This section establishes the official title of the statutory instrument.

It sets July 10, 2026, as the date the legal requirements take effect.

Interpretation

In regulation 3(1) and (2) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).

This section clarifies that all timing references in the document use Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) rather than local British Summer Time. UTC is noted as being one hour behind the local time used in the United Kingdom during July.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (3), beginning with 1930 hours and ending with 2130 hours on 10th July 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 2,275 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 2 nautical miles which is centred at 525002N 0024618W.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), beginning with 1300 hours and ending with 1500 hours on 11th July 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 4,700 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 6 nautical miles which is centred at 525005N 0024610W.

(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to any aircraft operating in accordance with a permission issued by the SleapKosh Flying Display Director.

This section prohibits flight within specific coordinates and altitudes on July 10 and July 11, 2026.

On the first day, the restriction covers a 2-nautical-mile radius up to 2,275 feet, while the second day expands the restriction to a 6-nautical-mile radius up to 4,700 feet.

Paragraph (3) creates an exception for aircraft that have received explicit authorization from the designated Flying Display Director.

This allows aircraft participating in the display or other authorized flights to enter the restricted zones.

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