The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced a series of airspace restrictions to accommodate the transatlantic flight of a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc built SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft flying into RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire

The civilian aircraft, which is certificated and registered through the US regulator the Federal Aviation Administration, has been issued permission to operate within UK airspace by the UK CAA.

The flight will take place on one day during week commencing 9 July 2018.

The restrictions are being put in place for the safety of the remotely piloted aircraft and other airspace users. The proposed date of arrival at RAF Fairford is Wednesday 11 July 2018 however this is subject to change.

The Temporary Danger Areas will be activated by NOTAM with potentially less than 24 hours’ notice. Each Danger Area will be managed by an air traffic control unit and access to the areas may be possible by contacting the unit.

Details of the Temporary Danger Areas are published in Aeronautical Information Circular Y073/2018.

This will be formally published on 5 July but a preview copy is available here.

There are also further airspace restrictions in place for the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford and are published in Aeronautical Information Circular M050/2018, which is currently available on the NATS AIS website here.

Tom Gratton, CAA Airspace Regulator, said: “To facilitate this unique event and aid the safe development of remotely piloted aircraft, we need all pilots and UAS operators to take account of these short-term changes when planning flights.”

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