After several case scenarios of rogue drones, the drone community has faced its first major setback here in Singapore. Two men were charged recently on Friday 5th July over flying drones without permits near an airbase. On Monday (July 8), a civil engineering company was fined S$9,000 for flying a drone in public for business purposes without a permit. Rules and regulations have been clearly set and followed since CAAS has come up with permit regulations a few years ago.
The government will introduce a mandatory registration regime for all drones and also re-look into a licencing framework for pilots of large and more capable drones after the recent intrusions near commercial and military airports. Singapore has highly densely populated airspace which makes drones hazards to the aviation industry. Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min said on July 8th that imposing such licensing requirements “will ensure that drone operators are adequately briefed on their responsibilities and that their activities are conducted in a responsible manner”.
Under existing laws, it is an offence to operate drones within 5km of the airport or military bases or to fly drones above 200 ft (61m) without a Class 2 activity permit for recreation or research purposes.
Those guilty of doing so face a fine of up to S$20,000, or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.
To find out more information on current Unmanned Aircraft (UA) operation and licensing, please go to https://www.caas.gov.sg/public-passengers/unmanned-aircraft-systems or you can apply for a permit here https://www.caas.gov.sg/public-passengers/unmanned-aircraft-systems/permit-application
