PRESS RELEASE
Regulations Concerning the Flying of Kites
Published 5th December 2011
George Town, Grand Cayman, 5th December, 2011 — The flying of kites in the vicinity of airports is potentially dangerous to aircraft particularly during taking-off and landing. Not only is there a risk that the body of the kite could damage the aircraft or be ingested by a jet engine with possibly catastrophic results, but the control lines, sometimes made of high tensile steel wire on performance aerobatic models, can pose a significant hazard to propeller driven aircraft. These dangers are recognized by the international aviation community and in many countries legislation exists to reduce the risk by limiting the height that kites may be flown. In the Cayman Islands, the legislation is contained in Article 39 (3) (d) & (e) of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories’) Order 2007.
Article 39 effectively states that no kite shall be flown within 10 nautical miles of either Owen Roberts or Gerrard-Smith International Airports above a height of 100ft measured from surface level. Beyond 10 nautical miles from an airport boundary or when an airport is closed, kites may be flown at a height which must not exceed 200ft measured from surface level.
Recent reports indicate that kites are being flown significantly higher than permitted by law and the risk posed to aircraft is considered to be both significant and immediate. It is appreciated that the rules regulating kite flying may not be generally known and the purpose of this press release is to provide the necessary information to allow the public to understand the potential hazards to aviation and to enjoy this recreational activity within the limits established by law.
In order to protect the safety of aircraft, the operators of kites being flown above the heights specified are liable to have the equipment confiscated and may be prosecuted. Organisers of an event which, by its nature, requires that kites be flown above the specified heights may apply to the Governor’s delegated representative, the Cayman Islands Civil Aviation Authority for a Permission to hold such an event giving a minimum of seven (7) working days’ notice of the requirement to:
Director of Air Navigation Services
Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands
Unit 2 Grand harbor
PO Box 10277
Grand Cayman KY1-1003
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: (345) 949-7811 Ext 242
Fax: (345) 949-0761
E-mail: alastair.robertson@caacayman.com
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