Drone Rules for Shopping Metrô Itaquera
Fly Status: Strictly Prohibited / Highly Restricted. The Shopping Metrô Itaquera, located in a high-density urban area of São Paulo, is subject to strict federal regulations. Under the new ICA 100-40 regulation (effective July 1, 2026), all drones—regardless of weight—are classified as aircraft and require mandatory pr
Explanation The area surrounding the shopping mall and the Itaquera transport terminal is extremely sensitive. It involves a massive daily flow of people, heavy public transit infrastructure (Metrô/CPTM), and proximity to the Neo Química Arena. These factors make the airspace highly contested and monitored.
Core Requirements for 2026 (Brazil):
Mandatory SARPAS NG: As of July 2026, you must request and receive approval for every flight via the SARPAS NG portal. The "recreational exemption" for drones under 250g has been eliminated.
Property Rights: Shopping malls are private property. Even with federal airspace clearance from the DECEA, you must have explicit authorization from the mall management to take off, land, or hover over their facilities.
Safety Buffer: You must maintain a horizontal distance of 30 meters from any person not involved in the flight. In a busy location like Itaquera, maintaining this distance is effectively impossible in public areas, which constitutes a violation of safety norms.
Privacy & Civil Liability: Operating a drone over private buildings, residential areas, or crowded commercial zones without consent violates privacy rights (Constitution Art. 5º) and can lead to civil and criminal liability (Penal Code Articles 132 and 261).
How to be "Socially Accepted" and Lawful Do Not Fly Without Authorization: Flying in such a dense urban area without DECEA approval and mall management consent is viewed as a reckless security risk. Unauthorized flights are frequently reported to security and the police.
Verify Airspace: Always check the current status of the airspace at AISWEB or the SARPAS NG map. Areas near large infrastructure are often flagged as "red" or restricted, making automatic authorization impossible.
Respect Privacy: Drone operations in urban environments frequently generate complaints from the public. To remain "socially accepted," avoid flying near residential windows, parking lots, or crowded outdoor public spaces.
Join a Club: For frequent and safe practice, join a federated aeromodelling club recognized by COBRA. These clubs operate in certified areas designed to avoid risks to third parties and aviation traffic, far from urban hazards.