CAAS Further Supports Beneficial Use of Unmanned Aircraft (UA) and UA Industry Development

31 January 2025

              The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will further support the beneficial use of unmanned aircraft (UA) and UA industry development while ensuring public and aviation safety and security. First, CAAS will remove the current limit on the number of UA weighing above 250g which each company and individual can register in Singapore. Second, CAAS will allow commercial UA operators to conduct UA operations of up to 400ft above mean sea level (AMSL) in designated areas on all days of the week and shorten the waiting time for activity permit approval. Third, CAAS will streamline the real-time airspace clearance processes to expedite approvals. All these changes will take effect from 14 February 2025.

Removing UA Registration Limit 

2            In January 2020, CAAS introduced the UA registration framework which requires any UA with a total weight of above 250g to be registered before it can be operated in Singapore. Under the registration framework, Singapore citizens and permanent residents can register up to five UA; non-citizens and non-residents can register one UA. The limits are set to manage the risks associated with UA operations. Those who wish to register UA above these limits will have to seek special approval from CAAS. In 2024, 2,305 UA users registered their UA with CAAS; of these, 1,846 (80%) registered one UA, 242 (11%) registered two UA, 77 (3%) registered three UA, 47 (2%) users registered four UA, 32 (1%) registered five UA and 61 (3%) registered more than five UA. Those who register more UA tend to be operators who use UA to provide commercial services or UA enthusiasts who build and design their UA. For UA weighing 250g and below, users do not need to register them with CAAS. 

3            In 2022, CAAS implemented the Centralised Flight Management System (CFMS) to monitor real-time UA activities conducted by UA operator permit holders in Singapore. From 1 December 2025, all UA weighing above 250g, except where the operator of the UA has been granted an operator permit[1], will need to be equipped with Broadcast Remote Identification (B-RID). The implementation of CFMS and B-RID will enhance the situational awareness of UA operations and strengthen public and aviation safety and security. It will allow CAAS to more effectively manage the risks associated with growing UA use.

6            In response to industry feedback, CAAS, in collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), has conducted a review and with effect from 14 February 2025, will allow commercial UA operations up to 400ft AMSL on all days of the week, in designated areas. These designated areas are generally more than 6km away from aerodromes where such activities can be conducted safely without impacting manned aircraft operations at these altitudes. The time for approval of permits for UA commercial operations up to 400ft AMSL over the designated areas will also be reduced from five to three working days. For UA operations above 400ft AMSL in the designated areas, or UA operations above 200ft AMSL outside of the designated areas, they will continue to be allowed on weekends only, upon permit approval. 

Simplifying Airspace Clearance 

7            Currently, operator permit holders are required to call CAAS and/or RSAF first to seek airspace clearance before commencing their UA operations and then to notify the agencies at the end of their UA operations. This is on top of using the CFMS FlyItSafe mobile application to indicate the start and end of UA operations. 

8            With effect from 14 February 2025, operator permit holders can perform these two functions digitally through the CFMS FlyItSafe mobile application, with a new “Call Approval” feature. They no longer need to call CAAS and/or RSAF at the start and end of the UA operations. For certain areas, depending on operational height and location of operations, and at certain times, which have been pre-identified and pre-cleared by CAAS and RSAF, operator permit holders can also get immediate clearance which can help them save time and increase productivity of operations.  

9            Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General CAAS said, “As the industry regulator and developer for unmanned aircraft systems, CAAS is committed to updating our rules to stay abreast of technology advancements and ensure that they stay relevant, are pro-business and can support new innovations, without compromising public and aviation safety and security. These latest enhancements will increase the flexibility and efficiency of UA operations and provide a further boost to industry development.”  

 

[1] The B-RID requirements will not apply where a) the operator of the UA has been granted an operator permit and is using the FlyItSafe mobile application during the permitted UA operation; or b) the UA is operated indoors or in an enclosed environment. 

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success. CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg.