UK legal restrictions on kite flying.
The Law
Objective
Kite fliers must comply with any requirements of the law applicable to where they are flying.
Guidance
The European Communities Act 1972, Civil Aviation Act 1982 and the Airports Act 1986 allow the Civil Aviation Authority (working with the Ministry of Defence) to issue the Air Navigation Order, a Statutory Instrument, the latest of which is dated 2005. Combined with other Regulations, CAP 393 (with amendments to January 2008) sets out the law and rules that kite fliers are required to comply with.
The key points are:
• You must not fly a kite more than 30 metres (100’) above ground level within 5 kilometres (3 miles) of an airfield unless the CAA has given you specific authority to do so. You should avoid take off and landing flight paths.
• You must not fly a kite more than 60 metres (200’) above the ground at any other time unless permission has been obtained from the CAA and the certificate of such authority is available on site.
• You must obtain permission from the CAA before dropping objects such as teddy bears, sweets etc.
• You must avoid low flying aircraft such as police or rescue helicopters, microlight aircraft, hang-gliders and para-gliders.
You should also be aware of local byelaws which may restrict kite flying or related activities. These might say you must not fly a kite as to create a public nuisance which might include noise.