UK Drone Airspace Guide (2025)

Everything you need to know about permissions and restrictions.

Class G Airspace (Uncontrolled)

  • Drones may fly under Open or Specific Category (e.g. PDRA-01).
  • Maximum altitude ≤ 120 m (400 ft AGL); maintain VLOS and follow the Drone & Model Aircraft Code

✅ No ATC clearance needed.

Class A Airspace (Controlled)

  • Begins at high altitudes (typically FL195 / ~19,500 ft and above).
  • Only IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) traffic is permitted; drones are never allowed, even with a Specific Category OA.
  • Does not affect Open Category or PDRA-01 drone flights below 400 ft AGL.

❌ Drone flights are prohibited.

Class D Airspace (Controlled) / Controlled Traffic Region (CTR)

  • Drones may fly up to 400 ft AGL without ATC clearance.
  • Above 400 ft, BVLOS, or complex ops require a Specific Category OA (UK SORA) and coordination with ATC.

✅ No ATC clearance needed below 400ft AGL.

Class C Airspace (Controlled)

  • Begins at high altitudes (typically FL195 / ~19,500 ft and above).
  • Does not affect Open Category or PDRA-01 drone flights below 400 ft AGL.
  • Only relevant if operating at high altitude under a UK SORA Operational Authorisation (OA), requiring ATC coordination.

✅ No ATC clearance needed below 400 ft AGL.

Class E Airspace (Controlled)

  • Usually begins from 3,000 ft AMSL or where designated.
  • Does not affect Open Category or PDRA-01 drone flights below 400 ft AGL.
  • Only relevant if operating at high altitude under a UK SORA Operational Authorisation (OA), requiring ATC coordination.

✅ No ATC clearance needed below 400 ft AGL.

Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ / RPZ)

  • Aerodromes: ATZ (2-2.5 NM to 2,000 ft AAL) plus Runway Protection Zones (typically 5 x 1 km to 2,000 ft)
  • Heliports: ~2 NM cylinder to 2,000 ft, no RPZs.
  • Spaceports: ~5 km to 2,000 ft AAL.

❌ Drone flights are illegal without ATC permission.

Prohibited Areas and Restricted Areas

Covers national-security sites, prisons, nuclear & government installations.


❌ Drone flights are illegal without permission.

Restricted Area (Temporary) (RA(T))

Temporary version of a Restricted Area, established for major events, airshows, emergencies (e.g. wildfires, flooding etc.)


❌ Drone flights are illegal without permission.

Danger Areas and Temporary Danger Areas (TDA)

Live-firing areas, explosives, hazards etc.


⚠️ Only enter if NOTAM indicates inactive or with explicit clearance from the controlling authority.

Temporary Segregated Areas (TSA) and Temporary Reserved Areas (TRA)

  • Airspace temporarily segregated for exclusive use, often for high-risk drone or military operations.
  • Legally excludes all other aircraft from entering while active. Used for complex or hazardous activities requiring complete separation.
  • Can be activated by time schedule or by NOTAM.

❌ Drone flights prohibited unless you are the authorised operator named in the TSA approval. Check AIP Supplements and NOTAMs for TSA activation, boundaries, and conditions.

Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone (MATZ)

  • 5 NM radius from surface to 3,000 ft AAL, may include stubs (1,000-3,000 ft AAL) extending 5 NM from the runway.
  • Surrounds military aerodromes; remains Class G (Uncontrolled) airspace for civil users.
  • Established to protect military aircraft during take-off, approach, and circuit flying.

⚠️ Contact the ATC before operating inside or near a MATZ.

Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ)

  • Defined airspace in which aircraft must carry and operate a functioning transponder (usually Mode S).
  • May overlay Class G or controlled airspace and is established to improve visibility to ATC and nearby traffic.
  • Transponders are not standard on drones; entry is prohibited without a specific exemption.

❌ Drones cannot fly in a TMZ unless granted specific permission by the responsible authority.

Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ)

  • Airspace where aircraft must maintain two-way radio contact with the controlling Air Traffic Service Unit (ATSU) before and during entry.
  • Commonly established in busy or complex Class G areas.
  • Drones cannot meet the RMZ radio communication requirement without specialist equipment and prior authorisation.

❌ Drone flights are not permitted unless prior approval is obtained from the responsible authority.

Military Low Flying Areas (MLFA)

  • Designated zones used by military aircraft including fast jets, helicopters, and large transports for low-level flight training, as low as 250 ft AGL, and occasionally down to surface level.
  • Flights may occur day or night, at high speed, and often without NOTAMs or prior warning.
  • These areas are not restricted airspace, but present an extreme collision risk.

❌ Drone flights within an active LFA are strongly discouraged unless operationally necessary and coordinated. Before flying in or near an LFA, contact the Military Low Flying Booking Cell to check for activity and seek guidance.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) & Protected Environmental Areas

  • These are legally protected areas under UK environmental law (e.g. Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981). They may include bird nesting sites, wetlands, heathland, coastal areas, or nature reserves.
  • Not restricted airspace, but disturbance to wildlife, especially during nesting or breeding seasons, can result in prosecution under environmental law.
  • Some SSSIs also fall under local bylaws or Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) prohibiting drone flights.

❌ Avoid drone operations over or near SSSIs or RAMSAR sites, especially in spring/summer. Never disturb wildlife; some drone flights may breach protection laws even if the airspace is Class G.

Landowner Permissions & Local Bylaws

While UK airspace is regulated by the CAA, the land below the drone still matters:

  • People do not own the airspace above their property, but they do control access to the land.
  • It is illegal to take off or land a drone from private land (including parks, carparks, farmland, private estates) without the landowner's permission.
  • Public spaces such as beaches, commons, and council parks often have local council bylaws or PSPOs banning or restricting drone flights — even if airspace is unrestricted.

✅ Always check land ownership and local regulations before flying.

⚠️ The CAA and any permissions issued by them do not override property rights or local authority powers on take-off/landing.

Summary and Checklist

Need to exceed 400 ft, fly BVLOS, or operate in controlled/restricted airspace?
Submit a UK SORA risk assessment (replaces OSC) for a CAA OA.

✅ Pre-flight Checklist

  • Always review Drone & Model Aircraft Code; stay ≤ 120 m and VLOS unless authorised.
  • Use Drone Assist/NATS to check FRZs, P/R/D zones, TDAs, RA(T)s.
  • Read NOTAMs for restrictions.
  • If in doubt, contact the local ATC unit or check via NATS AIS or CAA publications.
  • Obtain permissions early (aerodromes, ATC, landowners, CAA).