Public Consultation on Proposed Implementation of Broadcast Remote Identification for Unmanned Aircraft

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) - Unmanned Systems Policy, Regulations and Operations (UPRO) Division

Consultation Period: 02 Sep 2024 - 01 Oct 2024

Status: Closed - Summary of Responses

Consultation Outcome

SUMMARY OF RESPONSES TO PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO SUPPORT INTRODUCTION OF BROADCAST REMOTE IDENTIFICATION FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) conducted a public consultation from 2 September 2024 to 1 October 2024 to seek public feedback on the proposed implementation plan of Broadcast Remote Identification (B-RID) requirement for unmanned aircraft (UA) in Singapore to enhance aviation and public safety and security in Singapore. At the close of the public consultation, CAAS received 236 responses from a wide range of stakeholders that include members of the public, community groups and industry groups. Majority of the respondents were supportive of the proposed implementation plan and some provided suggestions on how they could be enhanced. A summary of the key feedback received and CAAS’ response is set out below. CAAS thanks all respondents for their feedback to strengthen aviation and public safety and security in Singapore.

Key Public Feedback and CAAS’ Responses

1. Applicability of B-RID Requirements 

Feedback: Majority of the respondents agreed with the implementation of B-RID requirements. Some sought clarifications on the applicability of B-RID requirements to different activities such as Unmanned Aircraft Training and Assessment Organisation (UATO) activities, recreational, educational and non-recreational/non-educational purposes. 

Response: From 1 December 2025, the B-RID requirements will apply to all UA weighing above 250g when operating outdoors, except for UA operated by a UA operator permit holder as they are already complying with the Centralised Flight Management System (CFMS) "FlyItSafe" requirement. The B-RID requirement will not affect existing UA regulations, such as UA registration, pilot licensing, or CFMS. For an illustration of B-RID requirements, please refer to Table 1 below.

Table 1: Summary of Requirements

2. Cost of B-RID Adoption

Feedback:  Some respondents expressed concerns on the cost of complying with the B-RID requirements. 

Response: Each UA subjected to B-RID requirements and registered with CAAS by 31 December 2024 will be eligible for a free B-RID module, including installation, if they apply between 1 January and 31 March 2025. (Please refer to Table 1 for a summary of the B-RID requirements and Response 3 for the full eligibility criteria).

3. Eligibility of Free B-RID Module

Feedback: Respondents were supportive of the provision of free B-RID module. Some sought clarity on the eligibility for the free B-RID module such as the number of free modules that they are eligible. Others suggested to provide the non-battery fitted B-RID module as an alternate option. 

Response: CAAS has considered the suggestion and decided that affected UA users with existing UA will be eligible for one B-RID module per eligible UA. For the eligibility of B-RID module, CAAS wishes to remind UA users of the following criteria:

a. The UA weighing above 250g is not equipped with built-in B-RID module and is subjected to the B-RID requirements (Please refer to Table 1); 

b. The UA is registered with CAAS by 31 December 2024; and 

c. The application for the free B-RID module is made by the person, or organisation, who had registered the UA and is submitted to CAAS between 1 January and 31 March 2025.

CAAS will study the suggestion to provide free non-battery fitted B-RID module as an alternate option. 

More details on the application process and the alternate option (if any) will be released at a later date.

4. Transferability of B-RID Module Across UA

Feedback: Some respondents suggested for B-RID module to be transferable across UA instead of tagging the module to each UA. Some highlighted that they own multiple UA and by allowing transferability of module, it would reduce the total cost of B-RID compliance. 

Response: CAAS has considered the suggestion and will allow a B-RID module to be transferred from one registered UA to another. This will benefit users with multiple UA. 

5. Identification of B-RID Products (UA and B-RID Modules)

Feedback: Some respondents sought clarity on how to identify a UA with built-in B-RID capability and the type of compliant B-RID module they will require to meet the B-RID requirements. 

Response: To assist UA users, CAAS is working with manufacturers to publish a list of UA models and B-RID modules that will meet CAAS’ B-RID requirements. This list identifies B-RID compliant UA or modules and will be made available when ready. CAAS aims to assist UA users in making informed decisions about their current and future UA equipment. 

6. Impact of B-RID Module on UA Airworthiness and Performance

Feedback: Some respondents asked if the B-RID module will impact UA airworthiness and performance such as module’s weight, size, battery endurance and potential radio frequency interference. 

Response: CAAS is adopting European Union (EU) technical standards that have been developed by the UA industry and manufacturers. These standards are designed to minimise potential interference that could affect UA airworthiness. Of note, most UA manufacturers have started building UA with built-in B-RID capability. For UA without built-in B-RID capability, a range of modules with varying specifications has also been developed to cater to the diverse needs of the UA community. CAAS will also be developing a set of recommended pre-flight guidance materials to facilitate the transition for affected UA users. 

7. Raising Weight Threshold for B-RID applicability

Feedback: Some respondents suggested to increase the weight threshold of 250g for B-RID applicability to, for example, 350g, 500g, or 7kg. 

Response: The weight threshold of above 250g was one of the key recommendations¹ from the Unmanned Aircraft System Advisory Panel (UASAP) and a result of extensive research conducted by Nanyang Technological University. Findings from the research revealed that drones weighing more than 250g, when crashed onto a person, can result in serious injuries, including fatality. For safety reasons, the weight threshold of 250g for B-RID requirements should be maintained. 

8. Exemptions 

Feedback: Some respondents suggested to exempt certain UA users from the requirements.  They also suggested to exempt all UA flights that are flown within visual line of sight (VLOS²) and to set up B-RID exempted flying areas such as the Unmanned Aircraft Flying Area (UAFA) which is a dedicated area to facilitate and support safe and responsible recreational UA operations.

Response: The implementation of B-RID is needed to enhance aviation and public safety and security. For these reasons, we are unable to grant any exemptions. However, we will consider waivers for certain circumstances where the standard B-RID requirements cannot be met, or it is difficult to do so. 

 ¹ Source: https://www.mot.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/uasap-recommendations-on-the-registration-of-ua.pdf

² Visual line of sight refers to (a) the UA pilot is able to maintain direct, unaided and unobstructed visual contact of the UA so as to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vessels, vehicles and structures for the purpose of avoiding collision; and (b) the distance between the UA pilot and the UA does not exceed 400 metres.

Detailed Description

1. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (“CAAS”) is seeking feedback on the implementation of Broadcast Remote Identification (“B-RID”) for unmanned aircraft (“UA”) in Singapore to enhance aviation and public safety and security of Singapore. 

2. CAAS facilitates the beneficial use of UA while ensuring aviation and public safety and security in Singapore. The number of UA registered in Singapore has increased from 8,205 in December 2020 to 24,567 in July 2024.

3. In September 2023, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented B-RID requirements for UA above 250 grams to enhance safety and security. In January 2024, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) followed suit. Described as a “digital licence plate” for UA, B-RID leverages Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology to transmit information such as the UA’s position, UA’s serial number, location of the UA operator and the identification reference number of the operator. This allows UA in the skies to be identified for safety and security purposes.

4. With effect from 1 December 2025, CAAS will likewise require all UA above 250 grams to be B-RID capable, except a) where the operator has been granted an Operator Permit and is using the FlyItSafe mobile application during the permitted UA operation; or b) UA operated indoors or in an enclosed environment. 

5. Majority of new UA on sale in the market and more than half of the UA registered with the CAAS in 2024 are already equipped with built-in B-RID module. For existing UA which are not equipped with B-RID, owners must comply with the new requirement from 1 December 2025 if they wish to continue flying these UAs. Owners who wish to do so may purchase a B-RID module to be attached to their UA; these modules are expected to cost between $120 - $250.

6. To support adoption, CAAS will fully cover the cost of the B-RID module to be attached to an existing UA, including installation cost, for individuals who apply to CAAS for one between 1 January and 31 March 2025. UA users who do not submit an application within this three-month period will have to procure a compliant B-RID module on their own. 

7. Owners who decide not to fly their existing UA beyond 1 December 2025 for various reasons, including that their UA has reached or are nearing the end of shelf lives which are typically 2 – 4 years, are encouraged to de-register their UA with CAAS.

8. Educational and guidance materials will be provided to UA users with the necessary information when purchasing a UA or B-RID module, and to perform the necessary checks to ensure B-RID functionality. Further details on this initiative will be announced subsequently.

Invitation to Provide Feedback

9. Members of the public are invited to provide feedback and comments on the implementation of B-RID by 1 October 2024 via the ‘Share Your Feedback’ button below.  

10. Your feedback is important to us. All comments received will be considered. We seek the public’s understanding that we will not be able to acknowledge or address every comment individually. To maintain confidentiality of feedback contributors, we will anonymise and aggregate the results of this engagement exercise in any public disclosure. 

11. For clarification on the proposed implementation of the B-RID requirement, you may contact CAAS at ua_registration@caas.gov.sg