Minister warns low-flying pilots

THE Minister of Works and Transport has issued a warning to low-flying pilots to stop with this dangerous practice – or face prosecution.

In a press statement issued on Friday, Works and Transport Minister Helmut Angula stated that his Ministry has noted ‘with great concern’ a marked increase in recent months in complaints about pilots flying low over the sea near Swakopmund and Walvis Bay and over farms, residences and sometimes over built-up areas.
Low flying has caused alarm among people and animals, with reports received of animals and birds being terrorised and panicking when aircraft fly low over farms and reserves, and valuable animals having to be destroyed as a result, the Minister remarked.
Namibia’s Air Navigation Regulations expressly forbid flying lower than 500 feet (152 metres) over people or property, unless the flight can be made without hazard or nuisance, it was noted. In practice it is impossible to achieve this requirement, according to Angula.
‘Flying at low level is inherently more dangerous than at higher levels,’ Angula stated.
‘Particular skills are required. These skills are normally only required after suitable training.
‘The amount of time available to deal with an in-flight emergency is much less at lower than at higher levels.
‘The time available to avoid unexpected hazards, such as masts, wires and birds, is considerably reduced. This means that the number of options left to the pilot is limited for any given situation.
‘Visibility is much reduced at low level. This is not advantageous to sight-seeing passengers, nor for safe flight,’ Angula stated.
He remarked that the large number of complaints received about low flying ‘clearly indicates that some pilots are deliberately breaking the law’.
According to information received from numerous sources, low flying has been observed at well-known tourist areas such as Sossusvlei and the coastline around Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, it was stated.
‘These practices are dangerous and must cease forthwith,’ Angula warned.
He also warned that if perpetrators are identified, they would be prosecuted ‘with the full vigour of the law’, and maximum penalties under the relevant law would be sought.