Drone Rules for Parque Nacional da Serra do Cipó
You can legally fly your drone at Serra do Cipó National Park, as the airspace is completely open for responsible use. To keep your flight legal and safe, you must have your drone registered with ANAC/ANATEL, file your flight plan on the SARPAS system, keep a safe distance from other visitors, and strictly avoid distur
The airspace over the stunning Serra do Cipó National Park is open to responsible drone flight operations under tailored environmental guidelines. Famed for its monumental waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, and rich rocky fields (campos rupestres), the park serves as an incredible destination for legal aerial content creation. To preserve this sensitive ecosystem, pilots must carefully balance their flights with the protection of local wildlife and visitor safety.
Regulatory Framework & Permissions: Drone operations are allowed for recreational and environmental capturing. All pilots must ensure their equipment is properly registered with ANAC and ANATEL, and flights must strictly comply with DECEA regulations (ICA 100-40) for unmanned aircraft.
Flight Authorization & Coordination: Standard flights within open tourist sectors do not require a special individual environmental permit, but you must submit your flight plan and request clearance normally via the SARPAS portal. For professional, commercial, or institutional media productions, prior written authorization from the park's ICMBio administration is mandatory.
Geofencing & Flight Conditions: The park's territory is not blocked by permanent firmware-level Red Zones by drone manufacturers, meaning your aircraft will unlock and take off normally. Pilots should remain highly vigilant of local weather patterns, as sudden mountain wind gusts and thermal currents near canyons can affect battery performance and flight stability.
Environmental Restrictions: To ensure flights remain legal, drones must never disturb or closely approach the rich local fauna (such as birds of prey, maned wolves, or amphibians). Additionally, operators must maintain a safe distance from crowded tourist spots, historical trails, and natural pools (like Cachoeira da Farofa or Cânion das Bandeirinhas) to respect visitor privacy and prevent accidents.
Legal Penalties: Flying a drone recklessly, harassing wildlife, or operating without SARPAS logging can lead to immediate flight suspension by park rangers. Violations are subject to equipment seizure, severe administrative fines under ICMBio environmental protection laws, and prosecution under Article 261 of the Brazilian Penal Code if airspace safety is compromised.