The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Whelford, Gloucestershire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
Restricted airspace below Flight Level 95 within a 4 nautical mile radius of Whelford, Gloucestershire, due to an emergency, exempting flights authorized by Gloucestershire Police.
The Secretary of State restricts aircraft from flying below Flight Level 95 within a specified four nautical mile radius centered on Whelford, Gloucestershire, due to an emergency.
These regulations apply to all pilots and aircraft operating in the area, except those flying in accordance with directions given by the Gloucestershire Police.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that a restriction on flying in the specified area is necessary for a reason affecting the public interest due to an emergency having arisen.
The document specifies that aircraft operating under the direction of the Gloucestershire Police are exempt, maintaining necessary operational capability for emergency responders.
Arguments Against
The regulations do not define the specific nature or cause of the emergency, creating potential ambiguity regarding the threshold required for emergency airspace closures.
The document does not specify a precise end date or duration for the restrictions, stating only that they will be revoked once the emergency has passed, which leaves the timeline dependent on future agency action.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Whelford, Gloucestershire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This section establishes the official title of the regulations.
It mandates that the rules take effect immediately from the time they were signed at 2:30 p.m. on 27 September 2026.
Restricted airspace
- No aircraft is to fly below Flight Level 95( b ) over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
- These Regulations do not apply to any aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by Gloucestershire Police.
( b ) 'Flight Level' as defined under Schedule 1 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |---|---|---| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | Whelford, Gloucestershire | 4 nautical miles | 514120N 0014527W |
This section prohibits aircraft from flying below Flight Level 95 within a four nautical mile radius centered on the coordinates 514120N 0014527W in Whelford, Gloucestershire. It creates an exception for any aircraft operating under instructions issued by the Gloucestershire Police.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
This section references the table within the text that defines the geographic coordinates, radius, and name of the restricted airspace zone.
It provides the statutory link connecting the prohibition in regulation 2 to the specific map boundaries.
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