Drone Rules for Paulo Afonso Airport
All unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited within this airspace to eliminate severe collision risks with regional commercial flights, government utility transport, and vital aeromedical evacuation flights. Only exceptional operations with explicit DECEA clearance via SARPAS NG are permitted.
Located in the municipality of Paulo Afonso, Bahia, is a strategic regional infrastructure asset near the São Francisco River canyon region. The airport serves as an important logistical gateway for the northern part of the state and neighboring regions, accommodating general aviation, private executive aircraft, corporate transports supporting local hydroelectric infrastructure, and critical aeromedical air ambulance operations servicing local healthcare grids.
Because arriving and departing aircraft execute low-altitude instrument (IFR) and visual (VFR) approaches directly over the surrounding transport corridors, rural properties, and urban outskirts, uncoordinated drone activity inside this operational area creates an immediate mid-air collision risk. An aviation accident in this zone would severely compromise public safety and disrupt vital medical and economic logistics. Therefore, spontaneous or recreational drone flights within the airfield perimeter, its obstacle limitation surfaces, or its protective safety grids are completely prohibited under federal law (Brazilian Penal Code, Art. 261).