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S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 776
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (South Cerney)
Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 9th July 2026
Coming into force - - 17th July 2026
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of
unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of intended VIP visits that are
due to take place there.
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) (South Cerney)
Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 17th July 2026.
Interpretation
2. In regulation 3(1) the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).
Restricted airspace
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0001 hours on 17th July 2026
and ending with 2200 hours on 18th July 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,400 feet
above mean sea level within the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following
points—
(a) 514032N 0015647W,
(b) 514030N 0015245W,
(c) 514208N 0015208W,
(d) 514240N 0015437W,
(e) 514156N 0015743W,
(f) 514106N 0015748W, and
(g) 514032N 0015647W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a
permission issued by the Ministry of Defence Police control room.
(a) S.I. 2016/765, 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).Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Karen L Michaels
Grade 7
9th July 2026 Department for Transport
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity South
Cerney, Gloucestershire due to the intended VIP visits that are scheduled to take place there. At
the request of Ministry of Defence Police, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for
Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted for reasons of public
safety and security.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour
behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(2), the Ministry of Defence Police control
room may be contacted as notified.
Full details of these Regulations will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet 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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