Study to explore possibility of recreational drone-flying zone in Singapore

SINGAPORE — Having designated zones for the recreational flying of drones is among the ideas floated by researchers at the Air Traffic Management Research Institute. 

The institute’s senior research fellow, Mr Mohamed Faisal Mohamed Salleh, said: “For Singapore to enable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, it needs to be structured and regulated ... It’s like flying a kite in Marina Barrage, where it’s safe, you can take your whole family and fly your small RC (Radio-controlled) helicopter if you want.”

Professor Low Kin Huat from Nanyang Technological University, an expert in robotics and UAVs, added: “For safety and management purposes, (we must be able to identify) who these (drone users) are, before they are (grouped) on the traffic management system so we can know the capability and parameters of their systems.”

Currently, drone operators are not allowed to fly within 5km of an aerodrome such as an airport or airbase, or within restricted areas such as army camps, without first getting a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

Drone hobbyists interviewed felt the current restrictions were adequate and dreaded the prospect of more regulations. Mr Md Zacky, 36, who flies his drone daily, said: “The restrictions are already strict ... To create more places of restrictions would be annoying.”