Temporary Drone Restrictions in the UK Explained

What Is a Temporary Restriction of Airspace?

A Temporary Restriction of Airspace (TRA) is a short-term closure or restriction of airspace that is not part of the permanent airspace structure. TRAs are published when a specific event or activity requires temporary protection from air traffic, including drones.

TRAs are notified through the NOTAM system and have defined start and end times, geographic boundaries, and altitude limits. They are legally binding — flying within a TRA without permission is a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order.

What Triggers a TRA?

Common reasons for temporary drone restrictions in the UK include:

State and Royal Events

• Royal processions and ceremonies (e.g., State Opening of Parliament, royal weddings)
• State funerals and memorial events
• VIP visits and diplomatic events

Major Public Events

• Large sporting events (e.g., major football matches, horse racing, motorsport)
• Music festivals and outdoor concerts
• Air shows and aviation events
• Political party conferences and G7/G8 summits

Security and Emergency

• Security incidents or threats
• Major emergency responses (fires, floods, hazardous material incidents)
• Police operations requiring air support
• HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) operations

Military Activities

• Military exercises beyond permanent Danger Areas
• Weapons testing outside established ranges
• Temporary military parachute dropping zones

How to Check for TRAs

You must check for temporary restrictions before every flight. Sources include:

• NATS AIS website: The official source for UK NOTAMs, searchable by area and date
• NATS Drone Assist app: Shows active and upcoming temporary restrictions on a map
• CAA website: May publish advance notice of significant TRAs
• Pre-flight briefing services: Commercial flight planning tools often include NOTAM integration

NOTAMs can be issued at short notice. A flight that was clear when you planned it yesterday may be restricted by a NOTAM issued overnight. Always recheck on the day of your flight.

Understanding NOTAM Format

NOTAMs follow a standardised international format that can be difficult to read at first. Key elements to look for include:

• Q line: Contains the FIR (Flight Information Region), subject code, and geographic reference
• A line: The location or area affected
• B and C lines: Start and end times (in UTC, not local time)
• D line: Schedule of activity if not continuous
• E line: Plain-language description of the restriction
• F and G lines: Lower and upper altitude limits

Many apps and services translate raw NOTAMs into more readable formats. However, if in doubt about the meaning of a NOTAM, do not fly until you have confirmed the situation.

Emergency Restrictions

Emergency services may establish temporary drone restrictions at incident scenes. If you encounter an emergency situation while flying:

• Land immediately if safe to do so
• Do not fly to observe or film the incident
• Be aware that police, coastguard, and air ambulance helicopters may be operating at low level
• Interfering with emergency operations is a serious criminal offence

Planning Around TRAs

If a TRA affects your planned flying location, your options are:

• Reschedule your flight to a time outside the TRA period
• Move to a different location outside the TRA boundaries
• Contact the authority listed in the NOTAM to request permission (rarely granted for drone operations)