Malaysia's drone industry is on the brink of a transformative shift as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) moves to introduce significant cost reductions for unmanned aircraft operations. A new pricing model, set to take effect under the upcoming Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) for Unmanned Aircraft Operations, will bring down operational costs to as low as RM1.50 per 30 minutes of flight time. This overhaul aims to make compliance more accessible while fostering industry growth.

A Game-Changer for Drone Operators

The revised fee structure signals a major departure from the current system, which demands a flat RM250 fee plus additional daily charges of RM50 from the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM). Under the new cost-recovery model, CAAM is introducing 22 new pricing categories, impacting both manned and unmanned aviation operations.

Notably, the new pricing will apply to the "Application for airspace usage for unmanned aircraft in the 'open' category" within Class G airspace, where both IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) and VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flights can operate without direct air traffic control oversight. This significant cost reduction is expected to remove financial barriers that have previously deterred small businesses and independent drone operators from full regulatory compliance.

Industry Experts Welcome the Change

Lim Guang Ming, chief remote pilot at Drone Academy Asia, views this move as a long-awaited breakthrough. "This is what both commercial and recreational drone operators have been hoping for," he said. Under the existing system, frequent drone users face prohibitive costs, making legal compliance difficult. "Paying RM1.50 per 30 minutes makes drone operations much more feasible for businesses of all sizes," Lim added.

Drone Academy Asia, one of Malaysia's first drone training institutions, has been actively preparing industrial clients including those in oil and gas, plantations, and utilities for the anticipated regulatory changes. According to Lim, many corporate clients are relieved to hear that they will soon be charged based on actual usage rather than flat fees. "When they realize the financial burden will be dramatically reduced, their response is overwhelmingly positive," he noted.

Boosting Commercial Drone Operations

With the financial burden lifted, experts predict that Malaysia could witness a tenfold increase in legitimate commercial drone operations within a year. The introduction of a Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management System (UAS-TMS) will be instrumental in streamlining the application process, potentially cutting approval times from weeks to under an hour. This system, modeled after those in countries like Singapore, is expected to enhance efficiency and compliance within Malaysia's drone sector.

Lim also pointed out that Malaysia's current drone regulations, last updated in 2016, were not designed to accommodate todays rapidly advancing drone technology. "The RM1.50 hourly rate shows that CAAM recognizes drones require a different regulatory approach than traditional aircraft," he said. The updated pricing model is likely to encourage more operators ranging from wedding photographers to real estate agencies to comply with regulations rather than operate in legal grey areas due to high costs and bureaucratic hurdles.

The Importance of Drone Training

Despite the reduced regulatory costs, proper training remains a crucial aspect of responsible drone operation. While not mandatory, comprehensive training programs ranging from RM2,900 to RM6,500 cover vital aspects such as aerial photography, regulatory compliance, maintenance protocols, and mapping techniques. "The regulations are complex, and without proper training, operators risk fines or, worse, safety incidents," Lim emphasized.

Malaysia Poised to Become a Drone-Friendly Hub

As the country's drone industry continues to expand into sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure inspection, filmmaking, and delivery services, these regulatory adjustments position Malaysia as one of Southeast Asia's most drone-friendly nations. If CAAM stays on track, the new fee structure and UAS-TMS platform should be operational by the fourth quarter of 2025, potentially triggering a surge in legal and commercial drone operations across the country.

With reduced costs, streamlined approvals, and progressive regulations, Malaysia's drone industry is set to soar to new heights.

Source: The Rakyat Post