Drone Rules for Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial
The airspace over and surrounding the Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial (Monument to the Dead of World War II / Monumento aos Pracinhas) (Rio de Janeiro, RJ) is classified as a highly restricted Military Area, National Heritage, and Critical Airport Approach Buffer Zone.
The Monumento aos Pracinhas, located in the Flamengo Park (Aterro do Flamengo) in Rio de Janeiro, is a major national monument dedicated to the Brazilian soldiers (pracinhas) who lost their lives during World War II. The striking modernist structure features a 31-meter-high twin pillar, an open-air crypt, a metal sculpture honoring the land forces, and an eternal flame. Because it holds the remains of fallen soldiers, it is an active military burial ground and historical sanctuary under the direct administration of the Brazilian Army (Exército Brasileiro).
Operating an unauthorized civilian drone over this monument triggers a maximum-severity security and regulatory violation due to critical operational factors:
Immediate Airport Danger Zone: Geographically, the monument sits directly inside the low-altitude final approach funnel for Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), which is located just a few hundred meters away. Commercial airliners and regional jets pass directly overhead at minimal altitudes. A drone operating here poses an catastrophic threat of a mid-air collision.
Active Military Subjurisdiction: As a site managed by the military, the perimeter is subject to strict institutional defense guidelines. Unauthorized aerial mapping or filming over the crypt and military guard stations is strictly forbidden to prevent structural espionage and protect the dignity of the memorial.
High-Density Public Space: The surrounding Aterro do Flamengo park is heavily populated by runners, cyclists, and tourists, making any drone mechanical failure or signal loss a significant public safety hazard.
The monument grounds are patrolled 24/7 by military guards and monitored by air traffic safety radars. Any civilian drone attempting to operate in this sector without a highly specialized flight plan approved directly by DECEA via SARPAS NG—and coordinated with the Army administration—will be immediately intercepted and neutralized. The operator will be detained on the spot by military or federal authorities and faces severe criminal prosecution for endangering national aviation safety and violating a federal military zone.