Drone Rules for Cross Stile
Drone pilots must exercise caution in the Ashford, Kent area due to a temporary lit construction crane reaching heights up to 290ft AGL (490ft AMSL). The obstruction sits within Low Flying Area 18 and Night Rotary Region 18, and remains active until August 14, 2026.
Ashford Lit Crane Obstruction Advisory
A temporary lower-airspace safety warning is in effect near Ashford, Kent, due to a tall construction crane operating at coordinates 51°08'27"N, 000°51'02"E.
The physical structure reaches a height of 290ft Above Ground Level (AGL) and an altitude ceiling of 490ft Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL). While the crane is officially marked as lit to aid visibility, its vertical profile significantly narrows the safe operating margin below the standard 400ft drone ceiling.
Crucially, this obstruction is located directly within Low Flying Area 18 (LFA 18) and Night Rotary Region 18. This means the immediate airspace experiences regular low-altitude military exercises and crewed helicopter traffic, particularly during night operations. Drone operators must maintain a strict visual line of sight (VLOS), actively monitor for low-flying crewed aircraft, and ensure defensive horizontal and vertical separation from the crane structure.