Singapore Hosts First Asia Pacific Symposium on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)

The Symposium aims to promote greater collaboration on RPAS regulation in the Asia Pacific region

The Asia Pacific Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS¹) Symposium kicked off today at the Singapore Aviation Academy. Organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), with support from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (NZCAA), this Symposium is the first of such forums on RPAS being held in the region.

The rapid advancement in RPAS technology and increasingly popular use of RPAS in recent years presents the industry and regulators with many challenges to ensure that such aircraft are operated with minimal impact to public and aviation safety. The Symposium will discuss and address these challenges and share best practices in RPAS regulation. It will cover issues related to airworthiness and certification, airspace integration, remote pilot licensing, and enforcement, liability and insurance.

The Symposium aims to facilitate information sharing and to advance regional collaboration in the regulation of RPAS activities, amongst industry and regulators. Over 150 RPAS subject matter experts from around the world including key aviation regulatory authorities, government agencies, aviation-related international organisations, air navigation service providers and major industry players are expected to attend the Symposium.

“Singapore recognises the benefits and potential brought about by RPAS technology. We need to achieve a comprehensive and balanced approach to RPAS regulation, and we can do better through learning from each other and co-ordinating our responses,” said Director-General of CAAS, Mr Kevin Shum. “This Symposium is a good step towards strengthening information sharing and cooperation between regulators in the Asia Pacific region.”

“As the Programme Manager for RPAS at the ICAO, I am pleased to see the exciting line-up of speakers attending the first Asia Pacific RPAS Symposium. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has done a fantastic job of organizing this event that should achieve excellent outcomes for participants,” said Ms Leslie Cary, RPAS Programme Manager, ICAO.

Mr Kevin Chamness, Director of Air Traffic Organization International Office, FAA, said: “We hope to learn more about what our Asia Pacific partners are doing to support RPAS operations. In addition to providing information on our RPAS-related

activities, we look forward to discussing the wide range of RPAS-related topics that will be covered in the symposium with our regional partners.”

“The emergence of RPAS brings distinct challenges, and it is important that industry and regulators are constantly working together,” said Mr John Kay, General Manager Policy and System Interventions, NZCAA. “As a strong believer in the value that regional cooperation offers to regulators, New Zealand is excited to be a part of this symposium.”

The Symposium will run from 31 May through 1 June.

Note: [1] A remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) consists of an unmanned aircraft which is operated using a remotely piloted aircraft system, which includes associated components such as the remote control equipment, and command and control links.

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