The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has cleared over 20 helicopters to offer air services during the World Rally Championship (WRC) happening in Naivasha, Nakuru County, as it issued procedures to control air traffic in the area over the weekend.
In a statement issued on Thursday June 22, 2023, KCAA said the procedures have been developed in coordination with the rally organizers after over 20 aircraft registered for the event.
The authority said a team of Air Traffic Control Officers had also been dedicated to provide air traffic services and weather information in order to guide rally team helicopters, coordinate VIP movement and provide alerting services to aircraft that will be engaged in the rally.
“KCAA as a service provider has also assembled a dedicated team of Air Traffic Control Officers to provide air traffic services and weather information. The over 20 registered aircraft will mainly be engaged in ferrying VIPs, journalists covering the rally and Medical Evacuation teams among others,” the statement added.
KCAA added that there will be a dedicated Air Traffic Control – Flight Information Service Desk at the WRC Safari Rally service park manned by 3 Air Traffic Controllers and a team leader. The aviation sector regulator said it had developed the air traffic control procedures together with the rally organisers.
“In addition, the team will also be responsible for the coordination of Medical Evacuation (Medivac) flights and ensuring expeditious facilitation of aircraft in distress, in case of any eventuality,” KCAA said in a statement.
The authority further urged the public to keep a safe distance from aircraft as a precautionary measure, particularly when the machines are taking off or landing.
For the first time in history, the Safari Rally will be flagged off from Uhuru Park. The event moves away from the traditional Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The total competitive distance in this year’s Safari Rally will be 356.98 km. The overall total distance covered by drivers will be 1,192.47km along and the event will comprise 19 competitive stages.
The rally kicked off with a Shakedown at the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) in Naivasha on Wednesday before the event was officially flagged off from Uhuru Park in Nairobi on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
