The Isle of Man Civil Aviation Administration has issued this statement with regards to the TT Restricted Airspace which applies for the duration of TT Practice/Racing and is tied to road closing times.

The main error contained in recent reports is the belief that Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft or ‘drones’ may be operated in the TT Restricted Airspace as long as they are not flown closer than 50 metres to the circuit. This is incorrect.

The dimensions of the TT Restricted Airspace are as follows:

Vertically from Sea Level up to 3000 feet Above Mean Sea Level (i.e. 1000 feet above Snaefell Mountain).

Laterally for the whole of the TT Circuit; the entire area within the TT Circuit; and for 1000 metres outside/beyond the TT Circuit.

For safety reasons, the TT Restricted Airspace is a ‘no-fly zone’ for all aircraft apart from the four helicopters that are specifically given permission to operate for medical, emergency and filming purposes.

Drones are classified as aircraft by The Air Navigation (Isle of Man) Order 2015 and are prohibited from operating during TT Practice/Racing within the TT Restricted Airspace as defined above.

Many thanks for everyone's patience whilst this matter was looked into so that we could provide you with the most up-to-date and accuate information.

Sgt Barry Hand (Force Incident Manager)

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I suspect that this is as much to do with restricting film rights to the DED and North One, as it has to do with safety.
That said, whist there are many responsible and qualified drone owners, there are many more who have troted of to Maplins to buy one, and fancy themselves as the next Stephen Spielberg.