Drone Rules Near Kirkwall Airport

Kirkwall Airport and the Orkney Islands

Kirkwall Airport (ICAO: EGPA) is the main airport serving the Orkney Islands, an archipelago of around seventy islands off the northern tip of Scotland. The airport sits approximately three miles south-east of Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, on the Mainland island. It handles scheduled flights to and from Scottish mainland airports including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Glasgow, as well as inter-island services operated by Loganair to some of the smallest scheduled routes in the world — including the famous Westray to Papa Westray route, which at under two minutes is the shortest scheduled flight globally.

The airport has a single main runway and handles a steady flow of traffic throughout the day, particularly during the summer months when tourism peaks. For drone pilots visiting Orkney — and the islands attract many landscape and wildlife photographers — understanding the FRZ and the broader environmental sensitivities is essential.

Understanding the Flight Restriction Zone

Kirkwall Airport is protected by an FRZ, as required for all UK aerodromes with active operations. The FRZ prohibits all drone flights within its boundary unless the pilot has secured prior permission from Kirkwall ATC.

The standard FRZ geometry includes a central protected area around the aerodrome reference point, typically extending approximately 2.5 nautical miles, with additional protection along the runway approaches. On an island the size of Orkney Mainland, this means the FRZ covers a significant portion of the land and sea immediately around Kirkwall. The town of Kirkwall itself likely falls within or very near the FRZ boundary.

Check the exact FRZ boundary on the NATS Drone Assist app before every flight. Orkney's inter-island air services also mean that other island airstrips — such as those on Stronsay, Sanday, North Ronaldsay, Westray, Papa Westray, and Eday — may have their own restrictions, even if they are not classified as full FRZs. Low-flying aircraft on inter-island routes are a constant presence across the archipelago.

CAA Registration Requirements

The same CAA regulations apply in Orkney as everywhere else in the UK:

• Flyer ID: Required for all drone pilots. Obtained through the free CAA online theory test.
• Operator ID: Required if your drone weighs 250g or more, or carries a camera. Annual fee. Must be displayed on your drone.
• Maximum altitude: 120 metres (400 ft) above ground level in the Open Category.
• Visual line of sight: Maintain direct visual contact with your drone at all times.
• Distance from people: Appropriate separation from uninvolved persons as per your drone subcategory.

Wildlife Protection: A Critical Concern in Orkney

Orkney is one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the British Isles, and drone pilots must take particular care to avoid disturbing protected species. The key concerns include:

• Seabird colonies: Orkney hosts nationally and internationally important colonies of puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, Arctic terns, great skuas (bonxies), and Arctic skuas. The sea cliffs at Marwick Head, Yesnaby, Noup Cliffs (Westray), and the Brough of Birsay support thousands of breeding pairs. Flying a drone near or over a seabird colony during the breeding season (April to August) can cause mass panic flights, leading to egg and chick mortality. This constitutes disturbance under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and can result in criminal prosecution.
• Seals: Both grey seals and common (harbour) seals breed on Orkney's shores. Seal haul-out sites are protected under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. Drone disturbance can cause stampedes that crush pups. The recommended minimum distance from a seal haul-out is at least 100 metres, and you should never fly directly overhead.
• Hen harriers and short-eared owls: Orkney Mainland supports breeding populations of hen harriers and short-eared owls, both of which nest on the ground in moorland habitat. Drone operations over open moorland during the breeding season (April to July) should be avoided in areas where these species are known to nest.
• NatureScot designations: Multiple Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) cover large parts of Orkney. NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage) manages these designations. If you plan to fly commercially within a designated site, contact NatureScot for guidance.

Seeking Permission to Fly Within the FRZ

To fly a drone within Kirkwall Airport's FRZ:

1. Contact Kirkwall ATC: Reach out several days in advance. Provide your Operator ID, drone details, precise location, planned altitude, and the purpose of your flight.
2. Be flexible: ATC may offer a window when traffic is quiet, or they may restrict your altitude or area of operation. Inter-island flight schedules influence when permission can be granted.
3. Consider weather: Orkney weather is notoriously changeable. High winds, rain, and low cloud are common. ATC may withdraw permission at short notice if conditions deteriorate. Have contingency plans.
4. Specific Category: For operations beyond Open Category limits, apply to the CAA for an Operational Authorisation with a full risk assessment.

Practical Tips for Drone Flying on Orkney

• Wind: Orkney is one of the windiest places in the UK. Average wind speeds regularly exceed what consumer drones can handle safely. Check forecasts carefully and fly in sheltered locations when possible. Dawn and dusk often bring calmer conditions.
• Magnetic interference: Some Orkney locations, particularly near standing stones and chambered cairns built from local flagstone, can cause compass calibration issues with certain drones. Calibrate your drone's compass before each flight and be alert for erratic behaviour.
• Heritage sites: The Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site — including Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness, and Maeshowe — is managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Drone flying over or near these sites requires their permission and may be restricted, particularly during opening hours when visitors are present.
• Scapa Flow: The waters of Scapa Flow are a designated war grave and contain the wrecks of the German High Seas Fleet scuttled in 1919. While there are no specific drone restrictions over Scapa Flow beyond standard maritime rules, treat the area with respect.
• Inter-island flights: Small fixed-wing aircraft operate between the Orkney islands at low altitudes throughout the day. Even outside the Kirkwall FRZ, remain aware of aircraft activity — especially near any island airstrip.

Recommended Flying Locations Outside the FRZ

Once you are clear of Kirkwall's FRZ, Orkney offers extraordinary drone photography opportunities:

• Yesnaby sea stacks: Dramatic Old Red Sandstone cliffs on the west coast. Check the FRZ boundary — Yesnaby may be outside the zone. Beware of strong cliff-edge updrafts.
• Birsay: The Brough of Birsay tidal island offers stunning coastal scenery. Access is tide-dependent. Check for seabird activity before flying.
• Hoy: The Old Man of Hoy sea stack is one of the most iconic geological features in Scotland. There is no airport on Hoy, but check for military low-flying areas and seabird colonies before flying near the cliffs.

Summary

Kirkwall Airport's FRZ covers a significant area of Orkney Mainland. Beyond the FRZ, the islands' extraordinary wildlife — seabird colonies, seal haul-outs, and ground-nesting raptors — demands careful planning and strict respect for protected species legislation. Check the NATS Drone Assist app, register with the CAA, prepare for strong winds, and always keep your distance from breeding wildlife. Orkney rewards careful drone pilots with some of the most spectacular aerial scenery in the British Isles.