UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Malaysia
The Malaysian agency responsible for drone safety, CAAM, has provided a number of internet-accessible details on flying a drone for fun or for work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details, go to the links above.
Are drones allowed in Malaysia?
Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Malaysia:
In Malaysia, drones are classified into three categories:
- Small Unmanned Aircraft System: Drones with a maximum weight of 20 kilograms
- Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft: Drones that weigh a maximum of 20 kilograms and are equipped with data acquisition devices (such as cameras and microphones).
- Unmanned Aircraft System more than 20kg: All other drones weighing more than 20 kg
Regulations vary according to category. For example, the second category includes standard camera drones such as the DJI Mavic and Phantom.
Further authorization is required for such drones for the following maneuvers:
- More than weight of 20 kilograms
- More than ascent height of120 meters (400 feet).
- Flights of drones over designated areas (areas for residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational purposes)
- Outside visual range. However, under certain conditions, experienced pilots can conduct FPV flights.
- Drone flights outside 150 meters of each designated area
- Drone flights over crowds of more than 1,000 people in open spaces
- Drone flights outside 150 meters of any outdoor gathering of over 1000 people
- Drone flights within 50 meters of any ship, vehicle, or structure that is not under the pilot’s control
- Drone flights are restricted to a radius of 50 meters around each person.
- During takeoff and landing, drones fly within 30 meters of each person.
- Within 4.5 kilometers (3 miles) from airports and heliports.
- Flights made at night.
You will also require a RM250 license from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
Information about Drone permits in Malaysia
Before applying for a CAAM permit, you must first obtain permission from the landowner whose property you intend to fly over. Additionally, depending on your circumstances, you may need to get the following documents:
- A letter of approval from JUPEM, or Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia, is required for any drone activity involving aerial mapping, aerial photography, filming, or videography. The application fee is RM 50.
- A letter from the CGSO, or Chief Government Security Office, authorizing the pilot to fly in no-fly zones such as Putrajaya.
- A letter of approval from the Sabah or Sarawak Chief Minister, depending on which state you will be flying.
- For foreign drone pilots, an approval letter from the MCMC or Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission.
Please keep in mind that your application to CAAM must be submitted at least 14 working days before your scheduled flight date, or it will be rejected.
The Permit Application fees are as follows:
- For drones 20kg and below: RM 250
- For drones above 20kg: RM 1000
The permit is valid for a maximum of three months, based on the dates of operation specified in your application.
How to get a Standard Authorization to Fly Drones in Malaysia?
If your UAS flight activity is not categorized as Special UAS Project, Agricultural UAS Operations, flown within Visual Line of Sight in Class G Airspace and utilizing less than 20 kilograms of UA then you will require to submit the Standard Application to achieve your Authorization to Fly.
The Application form can be found here: Malaysia Standard Authorization Application Form.
The completed application form and required supporting documents shall be sent to drone.atf@caam.gov.my at least fourteen (14) days before the proposed activity date. CAAM reserves the right to reject an incomplete or late submission.
Penalties
If the person is an individual, they may be fined not more than RM50,000 or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both.
If the person is a body corporate, they may be fined not more than RM100,000.
JOIN THE DRONE COMMUNITY ON WHATSAPP
Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Malaysia
Recreational drone use does not require a drone permit.
You do not require authorization if you intend to fly a small unmanned aircraft system. However, you must ensure that you can maintain direct and unaided visual contact with the aircraft long enough to monitor its flight path to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels, and structures to avoid collisions.
Authorization from the Director-General is REQUIRED if the person in charge if the small unmanned aircraft system intends to fly the small unmanned aircraft system:
- within an aerodrome traffic zone
- at the height of more than 400 feet above ground
Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.
Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Malaysia
To fly a UAS for aerial work, you need authorization from the Director-General.
Aerial work is an aircraft operation in which an aircraft is used to provide specialized services such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and aerial advertisement.
- Registration of small unmanned aircraft and small unmanned surveillance aircraft is NOT required.
- Registration of unmanned aircraft systems weighing more than 20kg is REQUIRED.
Each authorization requires additional direct payment to the authority.
To use drones for aerial work, you must also apply for and maintain an aerial work certificate:
- New application: RM 800
- Renewal of aerial work certificate: RM 500 per year
- Modification of existing certificate: RM 250
Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.
Useful published information on flying drones in Malaysia
Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Malaysia…
