UK drone regulation gets a tidy‑up next month. The Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/99) corrects a defect in S.I. 2025/850 and is being issued free of charge to those recipients. Made on 3 February 2026 at a Privy Council meeting at Buckingham Palace, laid before Parliament on 10 February, it comes into force on 3 March and applies across the UK, according to legislation.gov.uk.

This is a narrow change with clear operational implications for tethered small unmanned aircraft (TSUA) used in film, events, inspection and security. The Order amends article 265E of the Air Navigation Order 2016 so that two specific open‑category rules now apply when a tethered system has a maximum take‑off mass of 250g or more.

First, point UAS.OPEN.040(A1) on horizontal distance from uninvolved persons is now expressly engaged for TSUA ≥250g. In plain terms, keep a defined horizontal buffer from people who are not directly involved in the operation, rather than relying on general good‑practice wording.

Second, point UAS.OPEN.040(2A) on horizontal distance from buildings is pulled through. Operators planning tethered shots close to facades, rooflines or stage structures will need to evidence how that separation is maintained or controlled.

The Civil Aviation Authority remains able to issue permissions that allow departures from these requirements. Article 265E(3) is updated so a UAS operator can obtain a documented permission where a remote pilot needs to fly closer-for example on a closed set, cordoned construction site or a fixed security position-subject to mitigations.

Separate tweaks tidy up definitions in Schedule 1: the ‘Sailplane Regulation’ reference drops the words ‘as amended from time to time’, and the ‘Unmanned Aircraft Implementing Regulation’ is now pinned to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as last amended by S.I. 2025/1106. For operators, this is about legal clarity rather than a new duty.

Police powers guidance in Schedule 9 to the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 is also aligned. The words ‘of 250g or more’ are removed from parenthetical descriptions relating to the remote pilot’s duty to provide UAS operator details when a constable has reasonable grounds to suspect a relevant registration requirement applied. Practically, do not rely on sub‑250g status to avoid questions-carry the right IDs and be ready to evidence registration.

The Department’s explanatory note says no significant impact is expected. That reads correctly for most commercial teams already working to conservative stand‑off distances. The main change is that the people‑and‑buildings buffers that many treat as common sense are now unambiguously baked into the tethered regime for 250g+ systems.

Actions before 3 March 2026: check which tethered platforms tip past 250g; map and record site‑specific distances from uninvolved persons and nearby structures; update the operations manual and risk assessments to reference UAS.OPEN.040(A1) and (2A); brief pilots and spotters; and, where close‑proximity work is essential, apply early for a CAA permission and retain it with the job pack. Keep registration details to hand for any police enquiry.

The bottom line for budgets and schedules is modest: no immediate kit spend, limited training overhead and clearer paperwork. Treat this as a housekeeping round that reduces ambiguity-useful for clients, helpful for insurers and low friction for operators who plan properly.