New Regulatory Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Operations in Singapore

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) have established a new regulatory and permit framework for unmanned aircraft operations in Singapore.

The changes to the regulatory and permit framework are expected to take effect on 1 June 2015 after the necessary legislative processes are completed.

Uses of unmanned aircraft and associated risks

Unmanned aircraft, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, can vary in size from palm-sized remotely controlled model aircraft to those as big as military drones, and range in weight from as light as 100g to 100kg.

Today, unmanned aircraft are used for a range of purposes, such as the delivery of goods, aerial filming and photography, search and rescue, and inspection of infrastructure and facilities.

The Unmanned Aircraft (Public Safety and Security) Bill has been introduced for First Reading in Parliament on 13 April 2015. The Bill proposes amendments to the Air Navigation Act (ANA) and Public Order Act (POA) for the management of public safety and security risks arising from the operations of unmanned aircraft.

The Air Navigation Order (ANO), a subsidiary legislation of the ANA, is also being amended to enhance the aviation and public safety regime for unmanned aircraft operations.

With the amendments, the enhanced regulatory framework will:

- Prohibit the carriage of dangerous materials by unmanned aircraft (among others, weapons, and any bio-chemical or radioactive material);

- Prohibit the discharge of any substance from unmanned aircraft without a permit;

- Require operators to obtain a permit to fly or operate an unmanned aircraft that weighs more than 7kg in total weight (i.e. weight of laden aircraft) and for certain types of operation;

- Provide for the gazetting of security-sensitive locations as “protected areas”, where overflying by unmanned aircraft or taking of photographs from unmanned aircraft are prohibited without a permit;

- Prohibit the overflight of unmanned aircraft over “special event areas” declared for the venues of major events without a permit (for example, certain venues of the Southeast Asian Games 2015); and

- Require operators to obtain a permit to fly or operate an unmanned aircraft within 5km of an aerodrome regardless of height, or above 200 feet beyond 5km of an aerodrome, or within a restricted or danger area.

The laws would also include penalties for offences involving unmanned aircraft.

To facilitate applications for any of the permits, CAAS will serve as a “one-stop shop” for the submission of permit applications.

By 1 June 2015, applicants will be able to submit their applications (including supporting documents) for all permits required through CAAS’ online permit application system. CAAS will issue to the applicants all the permits granted in a package, and through the same online system.

The changes to the regulatory and permit framework and the guidelines are interim steps to address immediate safety and security issues, pending the government’s ongoing study of an appropriate framework to facilitate and promote the use of unmanned aircraft for public and commercial purposes, and which will also be able to adequately address safety, security and privacy concerns.