13/10/2026
A note for our neighbours and local residents: from around 10.15am on Wednesday 14 October, a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter from Atlantic Flight, part of 814 Naval Air Squadron (the Flying Tigers) at RNAS Culdrose, is expected to make repeated flights between St Michael’s Mount and Folly Field while 18 historic cannons are lifted ashore for specialist restoration. This is a planned Royal Navy training exercise. You may have seen practice flights in the area last week. The operation is expected to take several hours, depending on conditions, and some aircraft noise and activity can be expected.
The entire island will be closed to visitors for the duration of the operation. From 8am the short-stay slipway car park, play park, public toilets and Folly Field will also be closed. Temporary exclusion zones will be in place around the cannon lifting area on the Mount, the flight path and the helicopter and cannon handling area at Folly Field, including the relevant part of the long-stay car park. Access around the Western Quay and nearby routes will be managed by ground crews while the lifts are under way. Refuelling will take place at Penzance Heliport.
For your safety, please view only from areas away from the flight path, remain within those areas and follow instructions from RNAS ground crew. Please do not enter restricted areas or approach the aircraft or equipment.
We appreciate that this is short notice. The team needed to confirm the operational conditions before sharing the plan. Thank you for your understanding while this important training and conservation work is carried out safely.
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose
