Regulating Unmanned Aircraft Operations

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport (a) when will the framework to regulate the use of drones be legislated; (b) what controls are currently in place as interim measures to monitor the use of drones in the public domain; (c) whether drone owners are required to register their equipment to own and operate a drone; (d) how can an individual or a private enterprise protect its privacy and security against anyone using a drone to pry into his property; and (e) whether a person can fly a drone across sovereign borders and, if not, what are the penalties.

Mrs Josephine Teo (for the Minister for Transport): Mdm Speaker, there are existing regulations for unmanned aircraft operations under the Singapore Air Navigation Order. Unmanned aircraft weighing more than seven kilograms without its fuel are subject to the same strict regulations and controls as manned aircraft, such as registration, airworthiness and flight operations requirements. For unmanned aircraft weighing seven kilograms or less, a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is required if the aircraft operates within five kilometres of an aerodrome, or at an altitude higher than 200 feet above mean sea level when outside five kilometres of an aerodrome. All operators of unmanned aircraft, regardless of whether a permit is required under current regulations for operating such an aircraft, are responsible for operating their unmanned aircraft with the safety and security of others in mind.

My Ministry and CAAS, together with other Government Ministries and agencies, have started a review of the regulatory framework. The review will address how we can facilitate the increasing usage of unmanned aircraft, while managing the associated safety and security concerns. We are assessing the feasibility of differentiated levels of oversight for different uses. We are also studying if there is a need to register unmanned aircraft systems and specifying where such systems can or cannot operate. We will be consulting the relevant stakeholders in the coming months.

On the concern over security and privacy, incidents where a person is found prying into another person's property using an unmanned aircraft, will be assessed on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the context and circumstances. As a general principle, enforcement action will be taken against the person carrying out activities which constitute an offence under existing laws such as the Penal Code.

With regard to the operation of unmanned aircraft across international boundaries, there are international rules which prohibit such movements, unless authorisation has been issued by the States in which the flight is to operate. Prior coordination with the appropriate air traffic services authority is also required for operation over the high seas. In Singapore, contravention of these rules may lead to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Nee Soon): Mdm Speaker, let me thank the Senior Minister of State for answering the question. I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State a few supplementary questions. First, how many of these permits have been issued, for those who operate unmanned aircraft of less than seven kilograms? Secondly, how long will this study be, and when will the study be concluded so that we roughly know the timeline as given by the Ministry, since the Ministry is reviewing the rules? I am also a bit concerned about mass events such as marathons and even our National Day Parade where thereby we see drones flying around. How do we know these are authorised drones or not? Will they pose a security threat to all of us?

Mrs Josephine Teo: Madam, I thank the Member for his questions. The first one is related to how many permits were granted for unmanned aircraft below seven kilograms of weight. First, to share what the number of applications was: just in the month of January 2015 alone, there were 70 applications. This is a six-fold increase over the average of 12 applications per month a year ago in 2014. How many of those applications were approved and permits granted: between 60%-70% were approved, and just 20%-30% were not approved.

The second question was about the review period. This is a multi-agency effort and as we are doing a review, we are also taking a closer look at countries such as the US and Australia who are similarly looking into their regulatory framework. There are obviously lessons to be learnt, and also experiences to be shared. The consultation with the relevant stakeholders is going to take place in the next few months. We will have to look at how extensive the regulations are going to be and then, we will be able to say with firmer sense, the timeline required. In relation to Dr Lim's interest, I think we can keep him posted on the progress.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: Thank you, Mdm Speaker. I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State to clarify regarding the 20%-30% that are not approved. What are the reasons for rejecting these applications?

Mrs Josephine Teo: Madam, the main reason is really safety, especially if there are manned aircraft flying nearby. We do not want to compromise safety. So, those were the main reasons that the 20%-30% were not approved.