IT was reported last week that drone incursions had caused flight disruptions at Changi Airport, just days after a previous similar incident. Some 25 flights involving major airlines (Singapore Airlines, Garuda and AirAsia) were affected. The incidents are being investigated by the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority. Several drones were sighted and they were not of the recreational type.
Drones flying within 5km of airports or military bases in Singapore, or at an altitude above 200 feet, without a permit, is an offence. Upon conviction, the drone operator (pilot) faces a fine of up to S$20,000 (RM62,000) or a prison term of 12 months, or both.
What happened in Singapore last week is not uncommon. A surge in the availability of drones has become an increasing security concern for airports around the world. In Dec 2018, Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom suspended all flights for five days after airport staff sighted several drones flying close to the airfield. Over 1,000 flights were cancelled or delayed and about 140,000 passengers were affected.
News of the flight suspension at Gatwick surprised many people because new laws came into force in July last year prohibiting drones flying anywhere in the UK above 400ft (122m). Drone users are also prohibited from flying the machines within 1km (0.62 miles) of airport boundaries.
Research conducted by the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed that a small drone (weighing 400g) can break a helicopter windscreen, and a big drone (weighing 2kg) can cause real damage to a passenger aircraft’s windscreen.
Elsewhere, in August last year, two drones laden with explosives attacked Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro during a military parade, and three years earlier, a drone landed on the roof of the office of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In that same year, a drone crashed onto the lawn of the White House, triggering a panic lockdown.
Fortunately in Malaysia, drone incursions are rare, although in 2015 a near miss was reported when a drone operator flew his machine in the vicinity of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to catch on camera a commercial airline making a landing. The incident may have seemed harmless then, but imagine what could have happened if the drone had been sucked into the jet engine — the consequences could have been dire.
Drone laws in Malaysia are contained in the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016 (P.U.(A) 97). Part XVI Regulations 140 to 144 deals with “Unmanned Aircraft System” (drones). Regulation 140 states that no person shall fly a drone at a height of more than 400 feet unless authorised by the director-general. And Regulation 141(1) states that no person shall fly a drone for aerial work without similar authorisation. “Aerial work” is defined to mean “an aircraft operation” where the drone is used to provide “specialised services in agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, aerial advertisement and other similar activities”.
Aerodyne Group chief executive officer Kamarul Muhammad believes that whilst Malaysia’s current drone laws “are not restrictive”, there is “no clear framework for commercial drone operations”. He also said detailed regulations are necessary for business entities carrying out drone operations in high risk areas like oil rigs and high tension lines to ensure an appropriate level of safety for everyone concerned.
The call for a clear framework for commercial drone operations could not be more urgent now, with multinational companies and food and beverage establishments weighing in on the drones’ capabilities in the agriculture, security, logistics, oil and gas, and services sectors.
During the recent Malaysia Drone Expo, MyDroneX, several panel sessions by leading experts, workshops and demonstrations enlightened Malaysians on the future of the drone industry. The event had showcased how these little flying machines have become so useful for industries as well as small businesses. It attracted not just industry players but also hobbyists, students and professionals.
Are drones a menace to air safety? Not if the laws and regulations are adhered to. According to the United States National Transportation Safety Board, the answer to the drone menace is “better legislation, better technology, and better cooperation on the issue between authorities and operators”. Garuda Robotics chief executive officer Mark Yong said the situation called for the introduction of a comprehensive “unmanned aircraft system traffic management” platform which would allow drones to be monitored in real-time.
For instance, government agencies in Europe and the United States are equipped with the SkyWall100 System, which is a large bazooka that can fire a net and parachute at a target drone. South Korea and Japan use “interceptor drones” which can lock onto a target, release a net and disable the drone in mid-air. China has been experimenting with an anti-drone laser that can shoot down a target drone within seconds of locating it.
The Dutch police, meanwhile, have an interesting “low-tech”, but innovative solution to deal with this high-tech menace — they have trained eagles to take down “hostile” drones. The eagles, which have been taught to view drones as “prey”, will latch on their talons to the drones’ propellers, instantly disabling them.
It may be timely now for Malaysia to think along the same lines for our drone enthusiasts and operators.
The writer formerly served the Attorney-General’s Chambers before he left for private practice, the corporate sector and academia.