SI 2026/860 - The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 6) Regulations 2026

S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S 2026 No. 860 CIVIL AVIATION The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 6) Regulations 2026 Made - - - - 21st July 2026 Coming into force 27th July 2026 The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the areas specified in regulation 3(1) and (2) by reason of an intended helicopter flight which 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) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 6) Regulations 2026, and they come into force on 27th July 2026. Interpretation 2. In regulation 3 the times referred to are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b). Restricted airspace 3.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (5), during the period beginning with 1235 hours and ending with 1335 hours on 27th July 2026 no aircraft is to fly below 4,000 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by— (a) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 2.5 nautical miles centred at 523854.00N 0003302.00E between 524000.05N 0002920.88E and 523748.14N 0003643.08E, and (b) straight lines joining successively the following points— (i) 523748.14N 0003643.08E (ii) 520433.44N 0000117.39E, (iii) 520132.85N 0000034.08E, (iv) 520005.14N 0000758.52W, (v) 520612.73N 0000631.87W, and (vi) 524000.05N 0002920.88E. (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 is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).(2) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), during the period beginning with 1250 hours and ending with 1355 hours on 27th July 2026, no aircraft is to fly below 2,500 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by— (a) straight lines joining successively the following points— (i) 520005.14N 0000758.52W, (ii) 520132.85N 0000034.08E, (iii) 514550.00N 0000316.00W, (iv) 513436.47N 0000613.50W, and (v) 513445.24N 0001107.85W, (b) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 12 nautical miles centred at 512812.00N 0002713.00W between 513445.24N 0001107.85W and 513611.00N 0001253.00W, (c) straight lines joining successively the following points— (i) 513611.00N 0001253.00W, (ii) 513611.00N 0001359.00W, (iii) 515016.98N 0001034.58W, and (iv) 515042.00N 0000931.00W, (d) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 8 nautical miles centred at 515228.67N 0002206.40W between 515042.00N 0000931.00W and 515402.75N 0000927.02W, and (e) straight lines joining successively the following points— (i) 515402.75N 0000927.02W, and (ii) 520005.14N 0000758.52W. (3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by— (a) the Air Traffic Control Unit at Royal Air Force Marham, (b) the Royal Air Force Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre (East), (c) the Air Traffic Control Unit at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, (d) the Air Traffic Control Unit at Cambridge Airport, (e) Farnborough Radar, (f) the London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick, or (g) Royal Air Force 78 Squadron, Swanwick. (4) Paragraph (2) does not apply to any aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by— (a) the Air Traffic Control Unit at London Luton Airport, (b) Farnborough Radar, (c) the Air Traffic Control Unit at Royal Air Force Northolt, (d) the London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick, or (e) Royal Air Force 78 Squadron, Swanwick. (5) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to any aircraft operated by or on behalf of— (a) The King’s Helicopter Flight, (b) a Police Air Support Unit, (c) an Emergency Medical Service, or (d) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. 2Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport Karen L Michaels Grade 7 21st July 2026 Department for Transport EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations impose restrictions in the vicinity of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire by the reason of an intended helicopter flight which is due to take place there on 27th July 2026. The Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport agree that it is in the public interest to restrict flying in the vicinity of the relevant areas to avoid disruption to this flight. The times mentioned in regulation 3(1) and (2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST). 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. 3