Small Unmanned Aircraft Order (Cap. 448G) to take full effect on December 1
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To seize the immense potential of SUA application while safeguarding aviation and public safety, the Government introduced a subsidiary legislation, the SUA Order, under the Civil Aviation Ordinance (Cap. 448), to provide for a forward-looking regulatory regime for SUA. Under the new regulation order that commenced on June 1 this year, SUA operations are now regulated under a risk-based approach which takes into account the weight of the SUA and the operational risk level. Operations at different risk levels will be subject to the corresponding regulatory requirements, including registration and labelling of SUA, registration of remote pilots, training and assessment, equipment, operating requirements and insurance.
Offences in relation to endangering acts, restricted flying zones and enforcement took immediate effect on June 1. The six-month grace period for the public to familiarise themselves with the new requirements and prepare for compliance ends today (November 30).
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) reminds the public that the applicable regulatory and operating requirements for SUA must be complied with. SUA and remote pilots are to be registered, except for operations of SUA under Category A1, i.e. SUA weighing not more than 250g and operated within applicable standard operating requirements. The public can register as remote pilots, and register their SUA, via the Electronic Portal for SUA (eSUA). They can also view the Drone Map on the eSUA for the restricted flying zones, and obtain relevant safety information from the Safety Requirements Documents and pertinent guidance.
To avoid violating the law inadvertently, the public is advised to check information on the prevailing restricted flying zones and relevant safety information on the eSUA before each SUA flight. The public can access the eSUA, or download its mobile application, at esua.cad.gov.hk .
A spokesman for the CAD said, "Offenders of the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order, including both the remote pilot and the responsible person (i.e. the owner), are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years upon conviction."
Ends/Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:50
Issued at HKT 15:50
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