Brazilian Air Force unveils airspace control plans for Rio 2016 Games
Rio - The airspace control operations will use 80 aircraft and engage 15,000 military personnel
The security restrictions to be adopted for Rio's airspace in the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be effective as of July 24 as athletes begin to be welcomed at the Athletes' Village. The plans were unveiled at a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) news conference. The operations will use 80 aircraft and engage 15,000 military personnel.
The so-called White Area of flight restrictions will apply between July 24 and August 22, covering a large part of the Rio de Janeiro state and areas of the Atlantic Ocean, to the vicinity of the border with Minas Gerais. The restrictions will be enforced again on September 7 for the Paralympic Games, and run until the September 19.
Within the White Area, there will be bans on training, instruction, and tourist flights, as well as operations with parachutes, paragliders, hot-air balloons, airships, ultralights, experimental aircraft, hang-gliders, agricultural aircraft, banner towing, model aircraft, rockets, and remotely piloted aerial vehicles.
On August 3, the first day of competition, the Yellow Area will be activated until Aug. 22, and again during the Paralympics from September 7 to 19. The area includes the Santos Dumont and Galeão airports.
The strictest-controlled zone, known as Red Area, will be in force during the competition events, within 7.4 km of the competition facilities. No flying over these areas will be permitted unless authorized by the Brazilian Air Force's Airspace Defense Command (COMDABRA).
In the Barra da Tijuca region, the Red Area will be active 24 hours to protect the Athletes' Village. The region is also home to the Olympic Park—where most competition events will take place—and Jacarepaguá Airport, which will be used for security operations only.
“The air defense force has no intention of using extreme means,” said Brigadier Major Mário Luis da Silva, head of the COMDABRA. The Air Force commander has been authorized by the president to decide when to shoot down aircraft found in violation of these restrictions.
The commander said that this is a “tough” decision, not least because the competitions will be taking place at populated and urban areas, which could be hit by downed aircraft. “If we need to go that far, we will take steps to mitigate any collateral damage,” Commander Silva said.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Brazilian Air Force unveils airspace control plans for Rio 2016 Games
