4 men to be charged for offences related to operating unmanned aircraft in protected areas
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Users are advised to ensure that they have fulfilled the relevant requirements before they operate their unmanned aircraft.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: ST FILE
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE – Four men, who are between 45 and 68 years old, will be charged on July 11 with offences related to operating unmanned aircraft in protected areas, the police said in a statement on July 10.
On March 9, a 56-year-old man was found operating an unmanned aircraft at The Promontory @ Marina Bay. He had allegedly taken aerial videos, flying the aircraft above Marina Bay at an altitude of 499m above mean sea level for more than 25 minutes.
On March 27, a 45-year-old man flew an unmanned aircraft over Marina Barrage at 468m above mean sea level for more than 15 minutes to allegedly take aerial photographs.
At the time of the alleged offences, the Promontory and Marina Barrage were both designated protected areas. The Air Navigation Act disallows the flying of unmanned aircraft with photographic equipment, and the photo-taking of such areas using the aircraft’s on-board equipment.
On June 25, a 68-year-old man used an unmanned aircraft around Marina Barrage to allegedly take aerial photos and videos. The aircraft weighed about 565g.
He had also allegedly flown the aircraft above Marina Barrage at 148m and 108m above mean sea level for more than 10 minutes each time.
The three men will be charged with operating an unmanned aircraft over a protected area, prohibited photography over a protected area using an unmanned aircraft, and failure to hold the necessary Class 2 activity permit to operate an unmanned aircraft at altitudes higher than 60m above mean sea level.
The 68-year-old man will also be charged for failure to register his aircraft with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
On June 23, a 51-year-old man was found operating an unmanned aircraft in Chin Swee Road – also a designated protected area – in Tiong Bahru for about 10 minutes. He will be charged with operating the unmanned aircraft over a protected area.
The offences of operating an unmanned aircraft over a protected area, and of prohibited photography over a protected area using an unmanned aircraft, each carries a fine of up to $50,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both, for first-time offenders.
If found guilty of operating an unmanned aircraft without a Class 2 activity permit, the offender can be fined up to $50,000, be jailed for up to two years, or both.
The offence of operating an unmanned aircraft above 250g without registering with the CAAS carries a fine of up to $10,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.
The police said they will not condone the unsafe and irresponsible operation of an unmanned aircraft as it poses a risk to aviation and public safety and security.
Users are advised to ensure that they have fulfilled the relevant requirements before they operate their unmanned aircraft.
They should also refer to the OneMap.sg website or the OneMap app for details on restricted and protected areas and where the operation of unmanned aircraft is not allowed without a permit.
In 2023, eight people and seven companies were prosecuted for unlawful use of drones,
CAAS had earlier said the 15 court cases resulted in fines of between $4,000 and $45,000 for the perpetrators. The other 294 drone operators were issued composition fines, stern warnings or advisories.
