Drone Rules for Shopping Recife
Fly Status: Strictly Prohibited / Highly Restricted. The Shopping Recife area is located in an extremely sensitive urban zone, in close proximity to the Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC).
Explanation The proximity to the international airport means the entire region is within a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) or controlled airspace. Operations here are under strict oversight by the DECEA (Department of Airspace Control) to prevent catastrophic interference with commercial flight paths.
Core Requirements for 2026 (Brazil):
Mandatory SARPAS NG: As of July 1, 2026, the "recreational exemption" for drones under 250g is officially revoked. Every single drone flight, regardless of size, weight, or purpose, requires a formal request via the SARPAS NG portal.
Zero-Tolerance for Interference: Because of the airport's proximity, any unauthorized drone detection is treated as a major security threat. You risk immediate intervention by security forces and federal authorities.
Private Property Rights: Shopping malls are private property. Even if you hold DECEA airspace authorization, you are legally required to obtain explicit written permission from the mall administration to operate on their premises.
Safety Buffer: You must maintain a horizontal distance of 30 meters from any person or property not involved in the flight. In a high-traffic area like the Shopping Recife complex, this is practically impossible, making legal operations extremely difficult to conduct.
How to be "Socially Accepted" and Lawful Do Not Fly Without Clearance: Given the airport's proximity, flying here without an approved SARPAS NG request is a federal offense. The system will likely flag the area as "red," meaning flights are restricted or prohibited.
Verify Airspace: Always check the AISWEB and SARPAS NG maps before planning any activity to confirm if you are within a prohibited flight path.
Respect Privacy: Flying in urban Boa Viagem is heavily scrutinized by the public. To protect your reputation and equipment, avoid any flight that might be perceived as an invasion of privacy or a safety nuisance.
Join a Club: If you enjoy drone flying, the safest and only fully compliant way to operate in the region is to join a COBRA-affiliated aeromodelling club. These clubs provide insurance, standardized training, and authorized fields located far from airport approach paths.