Drone Laws Singapore [March 2023] [Rules & How To Register]

Many people are getting into the drone game, but they don’t always know what the rules are. If you’re planning on flying your drone in Singapore, read up on the latest regulations.

In Singapore, drones are allowed to be flown for recreational and commercial purposes, but there are a number of restrictions that must be followed. Drones that weigh more than 250 grams must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). Drones are not allowed to be flown within 5 kilometers of an airport, over people or crowds, or at night. A permit is required to fly a drone above 200 feet or in restricted airspace. For more information on drone laws in Singapore, please visit the CAAS website.

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Drone Rules In Singapore

Recreational drone flying is legal in Singapore. The only requirement is that you register your drone with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) and adhere to some rules—like keeping it in sight at all times and avoiding areas such as prisons and military installations—while flying.

If you’re a commercial operator or want to fly your UAV for any other reason than fun, though, there are more restrictions on what you can do with it.

You’ll need an aviation license from CAAS if you want to operate under Part 61 of the Singapore Air Navigation Order 2016; otherwise known as the “general” regulations that apply universally across all aircraft types in our skies. Once again: registration remains required!

Do I Need A License To Fly A Drone In Singapore?

No, you do not need a license to fly a drone in Singapore. You will need to apply for permits if your drone weighs over 7kg and/or is more than 20kg. These types of drones are considered as “helicopters” by the aviation authorities and therefore require greater safety measures for their safe operation.

Similarly, if you intend to fly your drone over certain heights or distances from yourself, you may need a permit to do so as well.

Can I Import My Drone Into Singapore?

If you’re an individual importing a drone into Singapore, you will need to apply for an import permit and an import license. You also need to apply for a remote pilot license, remote pilot permit and remote pilot certificate.

Before bringing your drone in from another country, check with the relevant regulatory body (e.g., Singapore Customs) about whether or not there are any restrictions on the items that you can bring into Singapore. It is best to do so as early as possible as this will give them time to process your application before your arrival date if necessary.

Drone Laws In Singapore

No flying near airports, heliports and aerodromes.
No flying above 200m without a permit.
No flying within 5km of an airport or aerodrome posted by the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA).
Drone pilots must maintain a visual line of sight with their drone at all times while flying.
Drones may and/or must not interfere with emergency service providers, or over vehicles where their presence may distract the driver.
Do not fly over military bases without approval from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).
Do not fly near power stations, oil storage facilities and chemical storage facilities without approval from SCAA first.

Restricted And Controlled Airspace In Singapore

The first thing to understand about the airspace in Singapore is that it’s divided into two main categories: controlled airspace and restricted airspace.

Controlled airspace (the green sections on the map) is controlled by air traffic control, which means you have to get permission before operating your drone there. In controlled airspace, you’ll need an aircraft operator certificate or student pilot certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
Restricted airspace (the red sections on this map), on the other hand, is controlled by air traffic control but has additional requirements for drone operators who wish to fly in it—such as a Certificate of Approval from CAAS.

Fly Below 60 Metres

Flying below 60 metres is the minimum altitude you can fly at. If you are flying over water, you can fly higher than 60 metres as long as you can still see your drone at all times.

To comply with this rule, make sure that the height of your drone does not exceed 1.5 times its wingspan (the distance from wing tip to wing tip).

Fly Away From Crowds Or Buildings

You are not allowed to fly your drone near people, buildings and crowds. In addition, you may not fly your drone near vehicles or aircraft.

Keep At Least 5 to 5.5 Km Away From Airports

You are required to keep at least 5.5 km away from airports. This rule is in place for safety reasons, and is also known as the “5.5-kilometer rule” or “no-fly zone” around Singapore’s international airports.

The no-fly zone applies to all drones regardless of size, weight or type—even if they are flown by a professional operator or have been granted approval by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS).

If you’re flying your drone within this area, there’s a high chance that you’ll be intercepted by CAAS officials and asked to land immediately on the spot.

If you refuse their request, then they will send out an emergency notice and request assistance from air traffic control (ATC) personnel at Changi Airport who may then take action against you under aviation laws related to unauthorized flying activities over an airport runway

Make Sure You Understand The Rules Before Flying Your Drone

It’s important to understand the rules before flying your drone in Singapore. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are complying with these rules and regulations.

You could get into trouble with the authorities if you do not follow them, so make sure you know what they are! If you break the rules, you could be fined or even jailed!

How To Register Drone In Singapore

The drone scene in Singapore is booming. From hobbyists, to photographers and videographers, there are many reasons why you might want to register your drone.

In this article we’ll explore the legal aspects of registering your drone and how this can help protect both you as well as other people who might be flying nearby.

Do You Need To Register?

If you are flying your drone for recreational purposes, then you do not need to register. If you are flying for research purposes, then you do not need to register. If you are flying for commercial purposes, then yes, the drone must be registered.

How Do I Register?

This can be done through the aviation authority’s website, from which you will need to provide your name, address and contact details.

You will also need to provide the drone’s serial number as well as a copy of its registration or certificate of airworthiness.

Once you’ve made all your payments, what happens next is that you wait for your new sticker in the post!

Where Can I Fly My Drone?

You should fly your drone in daylight hours and in good weather conditions, so that you can see the drone and its surroundings clearly. You must also always keep your drone away from other people or property, and never fly over groups of people.

If you want to take photographs for commercial purposes, you will need to get special permission from CASA.

You can only fly your drone in places where you have permission from the landowner first. For example: if you are shooting a commercial video, then it is best to ask someone who owns some land near where they want to shoot their scene (such as a farmer).

What Are The Requirements For Flying My Drone?

The following are the requirements for flying your drone:

You must be at least 16 years old. If you are under 18 years of age, you will need to apply for parental consent and have a valid drone pilot’s certificate or operator’s certificate issued by us.
Your drone operator’s certificate (DOC) is valid for five years from the date of issue and can be renewed online.

Please Follow The Rules Or You Might Get Caught

The rules are there to protect you and the people around you. If you follow them, your drone flying experience will be much safer and more enjoyable.

Don’t fly where it is not allowed – Flying in areas that are restricted by the air traffic control (ATC) or near airports can result in getting fined heavily or even having your drone confiscated.
Don’t fly over people – Flying over populated areas puts both yourself and others at risk of injury or death should something go wrong with your drone.
Don’t fly at night – It’s illegal to operate a drone after dark unless it has been specifically authorized by CASA or MDA (if applicable).

Are Drones Allowed In Singapore?

Rules For Flying A Drone In Singapore

You must be 16 years or older to fly a drone in Singapore.
You must have a valid drone pilot certificate to fly your drone in Singapore. The licence will expire after 3 years and is renewable for another 3 years from the date of issue, provided that you continue to meet the eligibility conditions set out under Section 9 of the FAA 2016.
You must have a valid drone registration for every registered unmanned aircraft system before operating it in Singapore. A registration number will be marked on each UAS so that if an incident occurs it can be traced back to its owner who has been registered with CASA and complies with safety rules when flying drones near airports, seaports or military bases

The Civil Aviation Authority Of Singapore (caas) Requires All Drone Operators To Register Their Drones.

The Civil Aviation Authority Of Singapore (caas) Requires All Drone Operators To Register Their Drones. This is to ensure that they have the necessary qualifications and experience in operating drones.

The CAAS also requires all drone operators to notify them 24 hours before flying their drones outdoors. In case you do not follow this procedure, your drone may be confiscated by the authorities.

For those flying recreational platforms or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), it is important to note that there are certain restrictions on where you can fly them as well as what kind of activities you can do with it:

You cannot use a UAS for commercial purposes unless authorized by CAAS;
You cannot use a UAS for any purpose other than hobby or recreation;
You should never fly above 120 meters (400 feet).

The Caas Requires All Rpas/drone Users To Notify

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) requires all RPAS/drone users to notify them 24 hours before flying their drones outdoors.

This is to ensure that they can provide the necessary support should they be called upon.

If you do not notify the CAAS, you may run into trouble with the law as well as getting into a lot of trouble with them.

You Can Only Fly A Drone Up To 200 Feet Above Ground Level

In Singapore, drones are allowed to be flown up to an altitude of 200 feet above ground level. That’s the same as a 30-story building.

Here are some guidelines on what you can and cannot do when flying your drone:

No flying over crowds or sensitive locations (such as military bases or prisons). You must stay at least 25 meters away from all people, vehicles and buildings; otherwise, you may get fined up to $20k.
Don’t fly within 5 kilometers of an airport unless you have permission from the airport authority beforehand.

There Are Rules Regarding The Use Of Drones In Singapore

You need to notify the CAAS 24 hours before flying your drone outdoors, regardless of whether it’s sunny or cloudy, even if you are just going out for a quick flight around your neighborhood.

The notification will be valid only for 24 hours from the time you submit it and you will not be able to fly until the next day if your notification has expired.

Conclusion

In Short, in Singapore, drones are allowed to be flown for recreational and commercial purposes, but there are a number of restrictions that must be followed. Drones that weigh more than 250 grams must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). Drones are not allowed to be flown within 5 kilometers of an airport, over people or crowds, or at night. A permit is required to fly a drone above 200 feet or in restricted airspace. For more information on drone laws in Singapore, please visit the CAAS website.

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the rules surrounding drone flying in Singapore. We know it can be daunting, but at least we’ve got you covered with our pick for the best drones for kids. Now get out there and enjoy the beautiful skies of Singapore.

Frequently Asked Questions (drone Laws Singapore)

Is It Illegal To Fly A Drone In Singapore?

Yes, it is illegal to fly a drone in Singapore unless you are flying it for commercial purposes. If you are flying a drone recreationally, you can only do so in designated areas that have been approved by CASA (Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore).

How Far Can A Drone Fly In Singapore?

You can fly your drone up to 600 meters away from the operator. If you want to fly further than that, you need to apply for an exemption from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

In addition, you cannot fly your drone within a 50-meter radius of any person—including yourself—who is not involved in operating the aircraft. This means that no one else can be closer than 50 meters from where you are flying your drone.

How High Can You Fly A Drone In Singapore?

There are no specific height limits for drones in Singapore. However, you must be able to see your drone at all times and not fly over people.

Can I Fly My Drone In Private Property In Singapore?

You can fly your drone on your property and in the properties of others who don’t object to it.

However, you cannot fly a drone on private property without permission from the owner of that private property.

Can I Fly My Drone At Night In Singapore?

No, you may not fly your drone at night in Singapore.

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has specific regulations for flying drones during the day and within line of sight, but there are no such regulations for flying them at night. Drones are not permitted to be flown during the hours of darkness anyway.

During daylight hours, you can use your drone as long as it’s within line of sight and you have permission from the owner or operator of any property that might have been overflown by your drone while taking off or landing. If this doesn’t apply to you, then make sure that you abide by current traffic rules when operating on public roadways!