IT’S Easter-time and over the next few days, hundreds of colourful ‘paper birds’ will dominate the skies. But even as we celebrate and exude a passion about getting our kites up to add beauty, colour and sweet music to the atmosphere, let’s be mindful about the presence of the ‘iron birds’ that routinely ply the sky, competing for the same airspace.And whatever you do, avoid flying your kites in areas that are in close proximity to the Ogle Airport; that is, at least within a two to three-mile radius of the airport. Flying kites within that zone can be hazardous to aircraft, and could cause serious loss of lives, according to Communications Consultant to the Ogle Airport, Mr. Kit Nascimento.
VIOLATORS CAN BE ARRESTED
In fact¸ Mr. Nascimento has warned, through the media, as well as the distribution of pamphlets at the airport and within villages bordering the Ogle Airport, that persons violating these orders can be arrested.
Now that the Ogle Airstrip has been expanded and transformed into a regional airport, facilitating aircraft landings from several other Caribbean countries, the flow of air traffic above the Demerara coastline has intensified considerably.
For this reason, residential areas in close proximity to the Ogle Airport, and accommodating playfields and other open spaces where kite-flying was previously done, are cautioned to desist from flying kites thereabout, and worse still, leaving kites tied and unsupervised at nights.
To this end, persons within the targeted areas, who are desirous of engaging in kite-flying activities, are urged to seek alternative spaces, and areas that are away from the reach of power lines.
Even though aircraft travel at a much higher altitude than kites do, the critical parts of the journey where kite obstruction becomes possible, are the moments immediately following take-off or alternatively – as the aircraft is hovering over the airport in preparation for landing. That’s when kites flying even at low altitude can pose danger to the aircraft.
“When it comes to preparation for landing, that is most critical, and in this regard, I’d say no flying of kites should be done within a one to two mile radius of the Ogle Airport,” Mr. Nasimento affirmed.
Think of how catastrophic a collision between your kite and an aircraft can turn out to be. Such an incident could immediately bring the aircraft down, resulting in loss of lives, particularly if the kite gets sucked into the engine or if it becomes entangled with the propeller of the aircraft.
Let’s just recall for awhile the incident in which a bird, a few years ago, got sucked into the engine of a Caribbean Airlines aircraft en route to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, causing the craft to crash-land, and resulting in considerable damage to the aircraft. Fortunately, there were no casualties. And there are other such incidents of birds being sucked into engines of aircraft around the world, causing considerable harm and danger.
And so, as you prepare to fly your kites today – Easter Monday and even at other times, just remember have fun, but do so exercising wisdom and respect for the rule of law.
Kite fliers cautioned about endangering aircraft in the sky
SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp