• small unmanned aircraft system
  unmanned aircraft system, other than a balloon or a kite, having a mass of not more than 20 kilogrammes without
  its fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight
• small unmanned surveillance aircraft
  a small unmanned aircraft which is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition
• unmanned aircraft system of more than 20kg

• in Class A, B, C or G airspace
• within an aerodrome traffic zone
• at the height of more than 400 feet above the surface of the earth

UNLESS obtain an authorization from the Chief Executive Officer

All UA need authorisation for flying. Authorisation from the Chief Executive Officer is required to be obtained.

*note: any inquiries other than the authorisation listed above, please email to drone@caam.gov.my

Carrying article or animal from UAS involves the operation classified as Special UAS Project (SUP). Thus, the person in charge operating the UAS carrying goods required the permit for the operations.

If required by the CAAM, a UA of more than 20 kilogrammes without its fuel shall be registered as per following:

a. The UAS operator must display on the UAS marks consisting of Roman capital letters “CAAM-UAS-XXXX” followed by the four (4) digits registration number of the aircraft assigned by the CAAM. For example, CAAM-UAS1234.

b. The registration markings must be readable and weatherproof;

c. The size of the marking may be determined by the operator and acceptable by the CAAM.

Some of the standard fees and charges applicable to UAS according to the Civil Aviation (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2016.

Note:

(1) SUsA is a subset of SUA which is equipped to undertake surveillance and data acquisition. Item such as Model Aircraft, Light Show Drones are most likely not SUsA.

(2) Subregulation 204(3) of MCAR 2016 (Safety oversight). Safety oversight is a function performed by a State to ensure that individuals and organizations performing an aviation activity comply with safety-related national laws and regulations.

(3) Providing a copy means an extra copy and not the initial copy of document issued upon approval of a certification/ authorisation/ permit, etc. It also is for the whole per type document (in bulk) and not per page.

(4) “per person” means a person giving advice or consultation to an operator or an individual

(5) “per hour” is inclusive of part of the hour.

(6) Advice and consultation can be provided in the form of meeting, seminar, webinar, course, talk, training or any other matters that require CAAM officers to be present and provide input requested by the operator.

Authorisation to Fly

An example of the charging mechanism for a small unmanned surveillance aircraft is as follows:

a) One application is to be used for each proposed location of less than 15 nautical miles (nm) radius. An excess of operations within the 15nm radius will require the applicant to submit another form.

b) However, to make ease to applicant not having to fill up the application form in full. CAAM allows multiple locations within one form. The cost would still be calculated in accordance with the 15nm radius limitation.

c) Explanation:
Payment is made based on the number of Unmanned Aircraft (UA) and the number of 15nm radius.

d) Maximum duration per application is for 90 days.

e) Scenario:
Operator ‘A’ utilise two (2) SUsA to conduct surveillance on 100 locations within two (2) 15nm radius.

Therefore, the payment will be 2 (UA) X 2 (Locations across 15nm) X 250 (Application Fee) = RM 1,000

Certificate of Approval for a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO)

Agricultural UAS Operations Aerial Work Certificate (UAWC)

Commercial Aerial Work Certificate (C-UAWC Holder)

Private Aerial Work Certificate (P-UAWC Holder)

Special UAS Project (SUP) Approval

where the person is an individual, to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding three years or to both
where the person is a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand ringgit

If the RCoC-B is paired with Module 1 (EVLOS), the Certificate holder may operate operations that involve an unmanned aircraft being flown beyond the VLOS of the remote pilot but make use of visual observers for the purpose of avoiding collisions (i.e., operations that are frequently referred to as Extended VLOS [EVLOS]). Only RCoc-B that paired with Module 2 (AGR) may operate operations for agricultural UAS works which include dispensation operations and fulfils requirements of CAD 6011 (II).

While there are numerous drone-related institutions in Malaysia, currently only six have been approved by CAAM as ATO-RPTO.

RPTO students will undergo both theoretical examinations and practical flying tests.

The theoretical exams consist of a minimum of 40 questions for RCOC-B, and 30 questions each for module 2 and A2 RCOC.

A minimum score of 75% on a theoretical knowledge examination paper is required to pass, and there is no penalty marking.

If a remote pilot trainee fails one or more theoretical knowledge examination papers, further training will be determined by the relevant authority. If the trainee fails all attempts of the same paper or cannot pass all theoretical knowledge exams within a set time frame, they must start their training over again after a grace period of 3 months. They will need to retake all theoretical knowledge exams in this case.

For the issuance of RCOC, for a period of 1 year. The period shall be counted from the day when the Remote Pilot successfully completes the theoretical knowledge examination.

It can be found on CAAM webpages via this link: CAAM AIR OPERATORS (google.com)

According to CAR 2016, item 88, applicant must apply RM800 for application unmanned aerial work certificate per year.

Operations manuals, remote pilot currency logs and any other relevant information when UAS operators apply for commercial UAWC, in accordance with CAD 6011(II); item 3.10 under 3.10.1.

As per CAD 6011 Part II item 3.5, if you are operating on your own land and you have a RCOC-B alongside Module 2, you only need to declare to CAAM that you are operating at your location. Email to drone.agr@caam.gov.my for the declaration form.

You will also fall under the private UAWC category. Refer to answer in question (4).

According to MCAR 2016, item 89, applicant must apply RM500 for renewal application UAWC per year.

1) Accountable Manager (AM);

2) Safety Manager (SM);

3) Flight Operations Manager (FOM); and

4) Authorised Technical Personnel (ATP) (Refer to CAD 6011 (II)).

Operator must ensure that remote pilot who flown the drone had remote pilot certificate of competency basic (RCOC-B) attach with module 2 agriculture (AGR).

Only RCoc-B that paired with Module 2 (AGR) may operate operations for agricultural UAS works which include dispensation operations and fulfils requirements of CAD 6011 (II).

If the RCoC-B is paired with Module 1 (EVLOS), the Certificate holder may operate operations that involve an unmanned aircraft being flown beyond the VLOS of the remote pilot but make use of visual observers for the purpose of avoiding collisions (i.e., operations that are frequently referred to as Extended VLOS [EVLOS]).

When the operations involve carriage of dangerous goods, beyond line of sight (BVLOS), research and development, or any other operations that require an additional operational support activity from the CAAM due to the additional risk that it involves.

Predefined Risk Assessment (PDRA) and Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA) are both risk assessment frameworks for drone operations, but they serve different purposes. PDRA is a simple tool used in the planning phase to identify potential risks and determine whether a more detailed risk assessment is necessary. SORA is a more comprehensive framework used in the operational phase to assess risks associated with expanded or new UAS operations and develop appropriate mitigation measures.

If you are applying for a 3-month Special UAS Project (SUP) operation, you should use the SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) framework to assess the risks associated with your operation and develop mitigation measures. SORA is a standardized approach to assessing the risks of expanded or new UAS operations that are not covered by the “lower risk/normal authorization to fly” category.

Operator must ensure that remote pilot who flown the drone had remote pilot certificate of competency basic (RCOC-B), and also the competency requirement to conduct the said operations. For example, if the Operator uses a Pen Aviation 55V to conduct drone delivery operations, the applicant must have RCOC-B and Module 1 certification from a CAAM approved RPTO. Then after, the Operator must be able to show proof to the CAAM that the remote pilot has been taught to ensure competency on the specific drone (PEN 55V). Operator must also ensure knowledge of the operations as according, in this case, a drone delivery operations. This may be done via under supervision with Instructor.

1) Accountable Manager (AM);

2) Safety Manager (SM);

3) Flight Operations Manager (FOM); and

4) Authorised Technical Personnel (ATP) (Refer to CAD 6011 (V)). However, it is possible to have a minimum of two personnel whereby the AM, FOM and ATP is a single person and the SM another person. However, this depends on the size and complexity of the operations.