Drone Rules in Croydon London — Former Airport Site & Airspace (2026)

The Former Croydon Airport — No Active FRZ

Croydon Airport was once the world's most advanced aviation facility. Opened as London Terminal Aerodrome in 1920, it featured the world's first air traffic control tower and the first purpose-built airport terminal (1928). The airport closed permanently on 30 September 1959.

Because Croydon Airport is no longer an active aerodrome, it does not have its own Flight Restriction Zone. The former airport site in Waddon and surrounding areas are now residential and parkland. However, the Croydon Airport Model Flying Club operates near the historic site and members must observe height restrictions due to the proximity of Biggin Hill Airport to the south-east.

Biggin Hill Airport FRZ — The Key Airspace Constraint

London Biggin Hill Airport, located approximately 10 km south-east of Croydon town centre, is the most important airspace factor for drone pilots in the borough. Its FRZ includes:

• Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) — A circle with a radius of 2.5 nautical miles (approximately 4.6 km) around the airport, extending from ground level to 2,000 feet above airfield elevation
• Runway Protection Zones (RPZ) — Rectangular zones extending 5 km by 1 km from each end of the runway

Parts of south-eastern Croydon may fall within or very close to the Biggin Hill FRZ. Before flying anywhere in the borough, check the NATS Drone Assist app or the CAA's airspace map to confirm your exact position relative to the FRZ boundary.

Getting Permission to Fly Within the FRZ

If your intended location falls within the Biggin Hill FRZ, you must obtain permission before flying. Submit your application to NATS first, then seek approval from Biggin Hill's drone coordination team. Allow a minimum of 72 hours between your initial enquiry and the planned flight date. Flying within the FRZ without permission is illegal and can result in prosecution.

Gatwick Airport Airspace

Croydon lies roughly 20 km north of Gatwick Airport. While central Croydon is well outside Gatwick's FRZ, the wider London Terminal Manoeuvring Area (LTMA) controlled airspace covers the area at higher altitudes. The 120-metre (400-foot) altitude limit keeps most recreational drone flights below controlled airspace, but always verify using current airspace charts.

Croydon Council Parks and Open Spaces

Unlike some London boroughs that have explicit drone bans in their park byelaws, Croydon Council's current byelaws do not specifically prohibit drone flying. However, this does not mean you have automatic permission. Key points:

• You need the landowner's permission to take off and land on any land. For council parks, the landowner is the council.
• Contact Croydon Council's parks team for written permission before flying in any council-managed open space.
• Nature conservation areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) should be avoided to prevent wildlife disturbance.
• South Norwood Country Park, Happy Valley and other ecologically sensitive sites require particular care.

2026 CAA Registration Requirements

• Flyer ID — Required for any drone weighing 100g or more. Free online test at the CAA website. Valid for 5 years.
• Operator ID — Required if you own a drone weighing 250g or more. Annual renewal. Must be 18 or over.
• Remote ID — Drones must broadcast identity and location during flight from the CAA-specified key date.

General Flying Rules

• Maximum altitude: 120 metres (400 feet)
• Visual line of sight at all times
• Minimum 50 metres from uninvolved people (Open Category A3)
• Night flying requires a green flashing light
• Never fly near emergency service operations

Penalties

Flying within a Flight Restriction Zone without permission carries fines of up to 2,500 GBP under the Air Navigation Order, with serious cases potentially resulting in up to five years imprisonment. Breaching local byelaws is a separate criminal offence. Even where Croydon's byelaws do not explicitly ban drones, flying without landowner permission constitutes trespass.