Can I fly sky lanterns near an airport?

[venator]

I'm having a celebration in Kidlington, North Oxford, about 2 miles from a small airport. Is there any law against this?

[venator]

Thanks - I 'phoned the airport, and they said sky lanterns were "not permitted". I asked, very politely, on what authority, but didn't get a straight answer.

As it's Oxford where everyone is so nice & civilised, I shall find an alternative.

[woofgang]

good...they are supposed to extinguish before landing but have been known to set fire to thatch and dry rubbish and the remains get eaten by farm animals......really not a good idea.

[carmalee]

venator - what a very civilised response and just goes to show how simpler life is when we compromise

[Eve]

Also, just because there isn't a specific rule against it, doesn't mean it is a good idea. There were concerns over the amount being sent up over Manchester so close to the airport and on flightpaths so there was a "grace period" around midnight on NYE when people could let them off. I guess that degree plays a part - NYE is different as to the amount going up (looked like we were being invaded a couple of years ago!).

I think a lot of it is a matter of common sense.

[kinell]

the question is surely not 'can you'..

but rather 'why would you want to?'

little things, please....

[AlBags]

Daft thing to do near Oxford Airport really.
Would you want to be flying in an aircraft that ingested one?

[DTCwordfan]

While I dont think that it is a good idea re animals, thatch and causing woodland fires, Oxford Airport ain't exactly Heathrow and I doubt it has any flights after 9pm. I shall have to go and look now of course.

[DTCwordfan]

22.30 is the latest opening of the airport, 23.00 with special permission. And that is really just for the bus-exec planes, not commercial flights.

[AlBags]

A lot of small aircraft fly in and out of Oxford at all sorts of times.
More damage likely to a small a/c.
Best way would have been to know when ATC closed that evening (if at all) somehow. It ATC is closed, there is nothing flying there.

[redcrx]

glad you are looking for an alternative. They look pretty but are such a fire risk and also a risk to wildlife etc (what do you think happens to the nice wire frame that falls once the flame has gone out (assuming the flame has gone out before it hits the ground)

[redcrx]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13934378

personally, i think they ought to be banned.

[bob561941]

a farmer's cow died through eating the wire from a chinese lantern{report on t.v. BBC 1 last sunday}.

[Euphemia]

I don't know if it is against the law but I certainly wouldn't even consider it.

[gollysailor]

And don't forget your parachute.

[boxtops]

It's the same round here - the Coastguards asks us not to release Chinese lanterns from the beaches or cliffs. They resemble distress flares as they drift out to sea, and several times the lifeboat has been launched thinking a vessel is in distress, only to find that it's a lantern.

[Quassia]

Hi venator,
so glad you're going for an alternative. I hate these lanterns, yes they look lovely ... But for all the reasons above .. I think shops should stop selling them. They are on sale in our local pound shops and I've voiced my concerns to them.