SI 2026/972 - The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (No. 3) Regulations 2026

S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S 2026 No. 972 CIVIL AVIATION The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (No. 3) Regulations 2026 Made - - - - 3rd September 2026 Coming into force - - 8th September 2026 The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the areas specified in regulation 3(1) and (2).

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)

(Middlesborough) (No. 3) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 8th September 2026.

Interpretation

2. The times referred to in regulations 3(1) and (2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).

Restricted airspace

3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 8th September 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1.08 nautical miles which is centred at 543212N 0011432W.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 8th September 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1.08 nautical miles which is centred at 543338N 0011116W.

(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport Karen L Michaels Grade 7 3rd September 2026 Department for Transport

(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).EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Middlesborough, Cleveland. The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in that area for reasons of public safety and security.

The times referred to in regulation 3(1) and (2) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).

In relation to the permission referred to in regulation 3(3), the Cleveland Police Drone Unit may be contacted as notified.

Full details of these Regulations will be promulgated by Notice to Aviation (NOTAM).

The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr Thomas Shainberg, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382515.

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