Is the US Calling the Shots? Drone Ban in UK – sUAS News

This is really not cricket, American hysteria crosses the pond and larger flight restrictions are applied around 11 sites in the UK. That’s just under 140 square nautical miles of airspace closed for drones only. Crewed aircraft can still fly across it.

I have reached out to the CAA’s airspace regulation team and press office see if NATS and the CAA have any evidence to support these restrictions and if the American government was anything to do with it.

This just in –

Hi Gary

Thank you for your email. Please get in touch with the MoD press office for any questions regarding these airspace restrictions. They can be contacted on: [email protected].

Thanks and best wishes,

I will be doing that now! and here’s the response:-

Hi Gary,

Please find below our response:

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:

“We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.

Background

• The MOD continues to work closely with USVF (US Visiting Forces), Police, and other partners to respond to recent events.

• We will not be offering a running commentary on operational security matters or possible drone sightings.

Ian Hudson tells me the Article 239 bit gives the police the authority to use countermeasures.

The Secretary of State for Transport has decided that it is necessary to introduce Restriction of Flying Regulations for unmanned aircraft under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 for reasons of National Security.

THESE RESTRICTION OF FLYING DO NOT APPLY TO MANNED AIRCRAFT.

Restricted Airspace (Temporary) for unmanned aircraft is established as detailed at the locations in Column 1 of the table below.
Subject to paragraph 3, no unmanned aircraft is to fly below the altitude detailed in Column 3 within 2 NM radius of the position
detailed in Column 2:

Paragraph 2 does not apply to any unmanned aircraft:

a) Operated by or on behalf of:
i. The Ministry of Defence Police;
ii. A Police Air Support Unit or Fire and Rescue Services in response to an emergency incident.
b) flying in accordance with the permission of the Ministry of Defence Police who may be contacted on telephone numbers 01423-846800 or 01423-846322.

Details of Restricted Airspace feature in the daily AIS Information Line message 08085-354802 and 01489-887515 and will be included on the Preflight Information Bulletins (PIB) through the AIS Website at http://nats.aero/ais.

Further enquiries can be made to Mr A H Frew, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, Civil Aviation Authority, at [email protected]

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