See Full Document Text
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 54
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (SS Richard
Montgomery) (Restricted Area EG R162) Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 21st January 2026
Coming into force - - 19th February 2026
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the
area specified in regulation 2(1) for reasons of public safety associated with the location there of
the vessel SS Richard Montgomery.
The Secretary of State makes the following 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) (SS Richard
Montgomery) (Restricted Area EG R162) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 19th
February 2026.
Restricted airspace
2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no aircraft is to fly below 13,200 feet above mean sea level
within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 0.5 of a nautical mile centred at 512758N
0004712E.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft—
(a) flying in response to an emergency and operated by or on behalf of—
(i) a Police Air Support Unit,
(ii) an Emergency Medical Service, or
(iii) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, or
(b) operating with a written permission issued by the Secretary of State.
Revocation of Regulations
3. The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (SS Richard Montgomery) Regulations 2025(b)
and the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (SS Richard Montgomery) (Amendment)
Regulations 2025(c) are revoked.
(a) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
(b) S.I. 2025/547.
(c) S.I. 2025/822.Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Karen L Michaels
Grade 7
21st January 2026 Department for Transport
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on flying in the vicinity of the wrecked vessel SS Richard
Montgomery near Sheerness, Kent.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that flying should be
restricted in the vicinity of the vessel for reasons of public safety.
In relation to the permissions mentioned in regulation 2(2)(b) the Secretary of State may be
contacted as notified.
Full details of this Statutory Instrument will be included in the United Kingdom Aeronautical
Information Publication (AIP). The restricted area has been designated as EG R162 for the
purpose of inclusion in the AIP and in related charts and documents.
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.
2