Low flying military aircraft

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1. Overview

Military low flying is used to train military aircrew. Low flying by military aircraft is carried out across all of the UK.

Low flying means:

  • fixed-wing aircraft flying down to 250 feet from the ground
  • rotary-wing aircraft (for example helicopters) flying down to 100 feet from the ground

Rotary-wing aircraft can also be authorised to go lower than 100 feet from the ground.

Low flying isn鈥檛 usually allowed in areas around airports, or towns and cities with populations of more than 10,000.

Find out more about:

2. Where and when low flying happens

The UK is divided into 20 separate low flying areas.

Three of these areas are also known as 鈥榯actical training areas鈥�. These are in:

  • central Wales
  • northern Scotland
  • the borders area of southern Scotland and northern England

Ministry of Defence (MOD) publishes a monthly timetable for the low flying tactical training areas and MOD sponsored air exercises.

Air weapons ranges

The Royal Air Force (RAF) currently uses 5 air weapons ranges. These are:

  • Donna Nook and Holbeach in Lincolnshire
  • Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire
  • Tain in Ross-shire
  • Cape Wrath in Sutherland

Air weapons ranges are used for:

  • low flying military aircraft
  • air to ground bombing

MOD publishes a monthly timetable for air weapons ranges activity. Red flags or lights, signs and sentries show when you can鈥檛 go onto an air weapons range.

You can also contact MOD about low flying in your area.

3. Find out about low flying in your area

Contact the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for information about low flying military aircraft in your area.

Low flying in England, Wales and Scotland

Contact the Low Flying Complaints and Enquiries Unit to complain or enquire about low flying in your area.

Low flying information for England, Wales and Scotland
[email protected]
Telephone: 01780 417558
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm
Find out about call charges

Low Flying Complaints and Enquiries Unit
RAF Wittering
Peterborough
PE8 6HB

To make a complaint, send the following information:

  • your name
  • full address and postcode
  • telephone number
  • date and time of the problem
  • location of the problem
  • type of aircraft, if known
  • a brief description of your complaint

You should get a response within 20 days.

Your complaint can be investigated by the Defence Flying Complaints Investigation Team if it鈥檚 about serious injuries or damage.

Enquiries about horse riding

Call the low level advisory service if you want to ride a horse and are worried about low flying aircraft.

Low level advisory service
Telephone: 0800 515544
Find out about call charges

Low flying in Northern Ireland

Low flying information for Northern Ireland
[email protected]

Policy Legacy (Secretariat Team)
HQ 38 (Irish) Bde and Northern Ireland Garrison
Thiepval Barracks
British Forces Post Office 825

4. Request low flying to be temporarily stopped

You can apply to have low flying stopped temporarily in your area, for example if you鈥檙e holding an agricultural or horse show.

Contact the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to apply. They will grant your request if it doesn鈥檛 significantly disturb the low flying training.

When applying, make sure you include the:

  • name and nature of the event
  • location and
  • contact details for the people holding the event
  • date and time when you would like low flying to be stopped