SI 2026/1017 - The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Shobdon Air Race) Regulations 2026

S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S 2026 No. 1017 CIVIL AVIATION The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Shobdon Air Race) Regulations 2026 Made - - - - 11th September 2026 Coming into force - - 19th September 2026 The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intended holding there of a Royal Aero Club Air Race.

The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016(a).

Citation and commencement

1. 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.

Interpretation

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

Restricted airspace

3.—(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.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport Karen L Michaels Grade 7 11th September 2026 Department for Transport EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations impose restrictions on flying in the vicinity of Shobdon Aerodrome, Herefordshire, by the reason of the intended holding there of a Royal Aero Club Air Race on 19th and 20th September 2026.

A large number of aircraft will be involved in Air Racing and therefore the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that flying should be restricted in the vicinity of the air race for reasons of public safety.

The times referred to in regulation 3(2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

In relation to the permissions referred to in regulation 3(3)(a)(i) to (iii), the Shobdon aerodrome air ground communication service, the Shobdon aerodrome flight information service, and the Royal Aero Club Records, Racing and Rally Association Race Officials may be contacted as notified.

Full details of these Regulations will be promulgated by Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) and Notice to Aviation (NOTAM).

The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr David Ridley, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382471.

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