Drone operational authorisation in Singapore

What the rules say

Each line is resolved from published facts of Singapore. "Not resolved" means the corpus does not answer it in a machine-checkable way — never that the law is silent.

• Authorisation requiredConditional
• Trigger statedConditional
• Issuing authorityConditional
• Application modelpermitYes
• Risk assessmentConditional
• Standard scenario routeYes
• Declaration routeConditional
• Generic or organisational privilegeConditional
• ValidityConditional
• Digital applicationConditional

The rules behind this answer

• Binding lawNational rule

  Activating External B-RID Module Before Flight

  A person who operates, or causes or permits an individual to operate, an unmanned aircraft without functioning B-RID capability must ensure that the B-RID module affixed to the aircraft is switched on before the aircraft takes flight.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Active Use of CFMS Mobile Application During Flight

  A UA pilot flying an unmanned aircraft operated under the authority of a UA operator permit must, at all times when flying it, either have on their person a mobile device on which the designated mobile application is installed and in active use, or have in their presence another individual who has such a device on that individual's person.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Activity Permit Application Requirements

  An application for an unmanned aircraft activity permit must be made in the required form, accompanied by the specified fee, and include the applicant's identity, activity type, intended time, location, operating altitude, and operator permit if required.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Allowed Broadcast Methods

  CAAS specifies that remote identification information must be broadcast during flight using either Bluetooth 5 Long Range, Wi-Fi NAN, or Wi-Fi Beacon.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for UA Cross-Border Permit

  An application for a UA cross-border permit must be made in writing by the operator, accompanied by the specified fee, and include details of the applicant, the pilot, the aircraft type, and the purpose of the operation.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for Variation of UA Operator Permit

  A UA operator permit holder may at any time apply to the Authority to vary the UA operator permit because of: (a) an addition or substitution of any unmanned aircraft type specified in the permit; (b) a change in the persons who operate, or (where applicable) who are engaged or employed to operate, any unmanned aircraft type specified in the permit; (c) a change in the key management personnel of the UA operator; (d) a change in the purpose for which the unmanned aircraft specified in the permit is to be operated and the nature of the operations specified in the permit; or (e) a change in the means by which flight telemetry data can be transmitted without a CFMS tracking device affixed to the unmanned aircraft. This rule states a permission to apply; it does not itself state a duty to apply.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Authorised Flight Examiner Authorisation Validity Period

  An Authorised Flight Examiner authorisation may be granted or renewed for a maximum period of 2 years.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Authorised Flight Examiner Eligibility Requirements

  A UATO (the nominating UATO) may apply to the Authority for an Authorised Flight Examiner authorisation to be granted to a person (the nominee) who: (a) is employed or engaged by that UATO; (b) has attained 21 years of age; (c) where the application is made on or after 1 February 2021, holds a valid UA pilot licence; (d) has successfully completed a training programme approved by the Chief Executive; and (e) has successfully passed an Authorised Flight Examiner practical evaluation conducted by the Authority.

  Open the requirementOfficial source

Official sources

• Air Navigation (101 — Unmanned Aircraft Operations) Regulations 2019 (S 833/2019) — consolidated text — Civil Aviation Authority of SingaporeOpen
• CAAS Aviation Specifications 10 — Broadcast Remote Identification — Civil Aviation Authority of SingaporeOpen

Known limitations

• Binding law and official guidance disagree on operational_authorisation.standard_scenario; the binding position is published.
• 1 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Other drone rules in Singapore

• Do I need to register my drone in Singapore?Registration in Singapore depends on the aircraft and the operation: it applies once the published conditions below are met, each cited to the rule that sets it.
• Do I need Remote ID in Singapore?Remote identification in Singapore is tied to the aircraft and the operating category: the published triggers below decide whether a flight must carry or broadcast an electronic identity.
• Can I fly a drone near an airport in Singapore?Drone flights near aerodromes in Singapore are governed by airspace and aerodrome restrictions: whether permission is needed depends on the airspace, distance or aerodrome type published below.
• Is BVLOS drone flight allowed in Singapore?BVLOS in Singapore runs through a defined authorisation pathway rather than an open permission: the published conditions below set out what that pathway requires.
• What training do I need to fly a drone in Singapore?Remote pilot competency in Singapore scales with the operation: which training, examination or proof of competency applies is set by the published conditions below.

All drone laws in Singapore