Low flying over Nature Reserves

[Albatross]

Hi Everyone

I like to bring everyones attention to AIC 21.3 08-07-04.

Yesterday afternoon we had an trike pilot (ZU-DBH) come buzzing along the Klaserie river at about 50ft agl right past Klaserie Private Nature Reserves HQ. He was in controlled air space and not talking to anyone on the radio The reserve has just introduced black rhino and the warden is very upset about this and is gong to take this up with the relevant authorities as on sunday he recieved complaints from a couple of land owners that there where microlights flying low level over the reserve. This problem is not just confined to Klaserie PNR,I hear continues complaints from the Managers in Balule PNR of Microlights flying low level (20 - 50ft agl) along the olifants river and buzzing the lodges along it.

We all enjoy flying and it is always nice to spot the big 5 from the air as you are flying along but please do it from a safe height. All these complaints are just going to lead to us been banned from flying over nature reserves and spoil our relationship with the ATC in the area.

Safe flying everyone

Albatross

[Stan]

Hi

Article 47 (1) of the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003. states that no one may fly lower than 2500 feet above the highest point on a proclaimed nature reserve except where it is done to access an approved airfield in such area, for management purposes or in an emergency. Fun flying in such areas is not allowed. This is National law.
The old Transvaal provincial regulations listed the hight as 2000 ft.

Fly safe.

Stan

[lefssa]

Stan I think you are wrong. There is only a height limit over the national parks,ie Kruger. This is 1500ft so i don't think you are correct about there being a height limit of 2500ft over proclaimed nature reserves. The local ATC confirms that there is no minimum height over the olifants river or Klaserie. However dangerous flying is obviosly not allowed. If someone flies at 20 to 50 ft they are clearly flying dangerously.

[kloot piloot]

Proclaimed only. Royal Natal National Park, Kruger, Elephnt etc. It's on the maps.

Don't know where incident happened at Klaserie, but Blyderiver is proclaimed

Still, respect for any other private property is apt !

[Albatross]

Hi

Article 47 (1) of the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003. states that no one may fly lower than 2500 feet above the highest point on a proclaimed nature reserve except where it is done to access an approved airfield in such area, for management purposes or in an emergency. Fun flying in such areas is not allowed. This is National law.
The old Transvaal provincial regulations listed the hight as 2000 ft.

Fly safe.

Stan

Hi Everyone

Stan is correct in the above metioned act. This Act does conflict with the CARS and Kim Gorringe has set this whole conflict out in an article in SA Flyer edition 156 October 2008 on page 58. For those who have not read the article, it boils down to the fact that the CARS are subordinate to the above act and that the 500ft requirement is over ruled and the 2500ft above the highest point in the reserve is the operating height above nature reserves.

Hi Everyone

I like to bring everyones attention to AIC 21.3 08-07-04.

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is a Proclaimed Nature Reserve (Administrators Notice No. 104 of 26 January 1972) and forms part of the assosiation of Private Nature Reserves which also includes Timbavati, Umbabat and Balule, theses all fall under the Greater Kruger National Park and are all marked on the Aeronautical maps as protected areas.

Fly Safely

Albatross