Bernama has submitted applications to the
relevant authorities for the use of drones which has become an essential gadget
for still and video photography.
The move disclosed at the Management
Committee meeting today comes amidst a news report that the Department of Civil
Aviation (DCA) is setting up its own enforcement unit to put a stop to illegal
drone flying in the country.
Except for the Department of Mapping and
Survey which has required Bernama to fill up certain forms on the matter, the
police and DCA have yet to respond.
The need for Bernama to be given long-term
permit for the use of drone has been expressed as photographs taken by the news
agency were of “national importance and in the line of work”.
The Star reported today that what many
drone owners do not realise, is that nearly all the flying they do outside
their home compounds is considered unlawful in the first place.
A DCA spokesman said the enforcement
unit, which is expected to start operations early next year, would be based at
all 21 airports nationwide.
“The enforcement officers will monitor
the airspace with a special radar that lets them spot drone activity in a
specific area,” the spokesman said.
“DCA officers will work with the police
to carry out this operation,” the spokesman said, adding that under Civil
Aviation Regulations 2016, all drone activity – regardless of their size and
purpose – needed a flying permit from DCA.
Flights are also capped at a maximum 120m
height.
Although there are laws governing drone
usage, the spokesman said DCA had not strictly enforced them so far, leading
hobbyists to believe that no permit was required to fly a drone.
“Flying drones without DCA approval,
whether for commercial or recreational purposes, is an offence. Those caught in
the act are subject to legal action. The owners can be arrested and their
drones seized,” said the spokesman.
Individuals found guilty of violating the
regulations could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to three years, or both.
Companies that fly drones illegally face
a fine of up to RM100,000 and its officers jailed six months, or both.
The spokesman said DCA did not stop
anyone from flying drones but they should have a permit if they operated
outside their house compounds.
“Drone owners may fly them within their
own compounds up to a height of 50m. If they use the drones elsewhere, they
need a DCA permit.”
The owners also have to specify where
they want to fly the aircraft when applying for the licence, which is valid for
three months.
DCA also plans to tighten control on
drone flights by making it compulsory for owners to register the devices.
The spokesman said DCA planned to
implement this in two years.
“All drones will have to carry a
registration number that must be visible on the tail,” he said.
DCA is proposing a one-time registration
fee of RM800 and a renewal fee of RM500 for the following year.
Currently, only drones that weigh more
than 20kg need to be registered with DCA.
The DCA spokesman said that under the
Civil Aviation Regulations, drones were also prohibited from flying within a
7km radius of airports, royal palaces and telco base stations.
KLCC and Putrajaya are also considered
“no-fly zones” for security purposes.
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