Online Reporter
The Herald, 10 July 1982
PRIVATE aircraft were yesterday banned from flying at night by a notice gazetted by the Minister of Transport.
A ministry spokesman said the measure had been introduced for security reasons because “we don’t know who is flying out of the country at night and what they are bringing back with them”.
In terms of Section Five of the Aviation Act, the notice which goes into effect immediately, declares Zimbabwe a restricted area and prohibits private aircraft from flying between 6 pm and 6 am.
A police officer serving as a commanding officer of a province may grant exemptions in cases of emergency or to allow pilots to get night-flying experience.
The notice defines private aircraft, whether registered in or out of the country, as being not heavier than 20 000kg, but excludes any aircraft used by the State. Aircraft used and registered for public transport or aerial work are also excluded.
Lessons for today:
From this ban on private flying at night, we can learn several important points.
The primary reason for the ban was for security reasons. The government wanted to control and monitor who was flying in and out of the country at night to prevent any unauthorised or potentially harmful activities.
The ban was put into effect immediately, indicating the urgency and seriousness of the security concerns. The ban was enforced under Section Five of the Aviation Act, showing how legal instruments are used to regulate aviation activities for national security.
There are provisions for exemptions in emergencies or for pilots needing night-flying experience, which shows a balance between security measures and practical needs. This ban highlights the government’s proactive approach to addressing security issues through regulatory measures while also considering practical exceptions.
While the ban aimed to enhance national security, it imposed significant operational and logistical challenges for private pilots and the broader private aviation sector.
