Drone operators planning to fly around Windsor next week need to check a temporary restriction of flying that applies on 20 October 2026, under The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Windsor) Regulations 2026.
The regulations were made on 30 September 2026, signed on the authority of the Secretary of State for Transport, and come into force on 20 October 2026. They say 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 arrangements associated with a state visit to the United Kingdom."
What is restricted, and when
The core restriction reads: "no aircraft is to fly below 2,500 feet above mean sea level" within the area the regulations define, "during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 2300 hours on 20th October 2026."
Those times are in Coordinated Universal Time. The regulations note that UTC "is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST)", so in local time the restriction runs from 7am on 20 October until midnight.
The restriction is not limited to drones: subject to the exemptions below, it covers any aircraft, and the height is measured above mean sea level rather than above the ground. None of the exemptions is a general one for drone or model aircraft users.
The area
The regulations describe the boundary as a series of straight lines and arcs between published coordinates, including arcs with a radius of 12 nautical miles and of 2 nautical miles. The explanatory note describes the restrictions as applying "in the vicinity of Windsor on the occasion of a state visit to the United Kingdom which is due to take place there on 20th October 2026."
Operators should check the exact boundary against the coordinates in the regulations rather than relying on a town name.
The regulations also withdraw all non-standard flight and enhanced non-standard flight clearances within the area for the duration, and make helicopter routes H10 and H3 within it unavailable.
Who is exempt
The restriction does not apply insofar as flying is already prohibited by the existing regulations for the Windsor Castle (EG R156) and Windsor Great Park (EG R161) restricted areas.
It also does not apply to aircraft approaching or departing London City Airport, London Heathrow Airport or RAF Northolt under the direction of London Terminal Control Centre, Swanwick, or that airport's air traffic control unit, or to aircraft operated by or on behalf of a Police Air Support Unit, an Emergency Medical Service, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the King's Helicopter Flight or a member of the Royal Family.
Aircraft operating with a permission issued by Thames Valley Police are also exempt. The explanatory note says "the Thames Valley Police Service may be contacted as notified."
NOTAM to follow
The explanatory note says: "Full details of these Regulations will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet and Notice to Aviation (NOTAM)." Operators with work booked in the area on 20 October should look for that NOTAM and check whether their job can move or needs a permission.