Photo: Stock Image
Did you see them?
The unmistakable thud of helicopter blades echoed through the Derbyshire hills last week—and it wasn’t an alien invasion. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a military navigation exercise took place on the evening of Thursday 4th September 2025, with multiple helicopters flying—sometimes without lights—between 6pm and 11pm across large parts of the county.
The training area included Wirksworth, Ambergate, Matlock, Bakewell, Ashbourne, and almost as far as Leek. Locals across the region looked skyward and many caught a glimpse of the action.
Why Derbyshire?
Derbyshire was once again chosen by the armed forces for training exercises, and for good reason:
Varied terrain – From the rolling hills of the Dales to the rugged moorlands of the Peaks, the landscape provided an ideal testing ground for pilots who needed to practise flying low and navigating difficult terrain.
Central location – Situated in the heart of England, Derbyshire was easily accessible from several major military bases.
Challenging airspace – Pilots rehearsed everything from stealth approaches to navigation at night, giving them real-world training without needing to travel abroad.
It was all part of ensuring that crews remained ready for operations in environments where visibility is poor, lights can’t be used, and precision flying is essential.
A Spectacle for Some
For many Derbyshire residents, the sound and sight of military helicopters overhead was a thrill rather than a nuisance. It served as a reminder of the county’s role in national defence, and children (and plenty of adults) enjoyed spotting the aircraft swooping between hills or gliding silently overhead in the dark.
Although the flights weren’t organised for spectators, the best chance of seeing them turned out to be in the open valleys and higher ground around Wirksworth, Matlock, Bakewell, and Ashbourne, where the sound of rotor blades carried across the hills.
How to Keep Track
If you’re wondering when and where the next exercise might be planned, the information isn’t secret—you just need to know where to look:
NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions) – Official notices for pilots, which include warnings about temporary military exercises.
Drone Assist App – A free app that pulls together NOTAMs, air restrictions, and military training notices in an easy-to-read format.
Gov.uk & CAA – The Ministry of Defence and Civil Aviation Authority both publish schedules of low-flying and training exercises.
So when you next notice strange lights—or no lights at all—sweeping across the night sky in Derbyshire, you can be fairly sure it’s the RAF, not UFOs.
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