New Drone Rules for Birmingham: What You Need to Know

Attention all drone enthusiasts and operators in Birmingham! On 27th April 2025, new regulations will temporarily restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in specific areas of the city due to an expected large public gathering. These rules, laid out in The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birmingham) (No. 4) Regulations 2025, are crucial for ensuring public safety and security. Here’s a breakdown of what this means for you:

Key Details:

• Restriction Timeframe: No drone flights are allowed from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM (UTC) on April 27th. Remember, this is Coordinated Universal Time, which is one hour behind British Summer Time. So, in local time, the restriction is from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• Restricted Area: The no-fly zone is defined by a circle with a 1-nautical mile radius, centered at coordinates 522833N 0015205W. This essentially covers parts of Birmingham, where the gathering is expected.

• Altitude Limit: The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft flying below 1,000 feet above mean sea level.

• Exceptions: The only exception to this rule is for drones flying with special permission from the West Midlands Police Service. If you believe your flight is essential, contact them directly for potential clearance.

Why the Restrictions?

The West Midlands Police, in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport, have determined these measures are necessary to maintain safety and security during the event. The gathering is expected to attract a large number of people, increasing the risk factors associated with drone flights.

Who to Contact?

For more information or to seek permission to fly within the restricted area, get in touch with the West Midlands Police. Additionally, for further regulatory details, you can contact Mr. David Ridley at the Civil Aviation Authority's Safety and Airspace Regulation Group at 03301 382471.

Stay informed and ensure your drone activities comply with these temporary regulations to help keep Birmingham safe during this significant event.