WPS Presentation

[Virtual Presenter] Good morning, everyone! Today, I'm here to share with you information about the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order, which sets regulations for small unmanned aircrafts of up to 25 kilograms in weight. We'll be exploring the Order's Classifications, Weight, Operating Requirements, Registration, Training & Ratings, Permissions, Labeling, Equipage, and Insurance. In addition, we'll take a closer look at Public Education and the applications of SUA in Hong Kong..

[Audio] I want to talk about the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order, or SUA. This order is defined under Cap. 448G, Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Cap. 448C) and the Civil Aviation Ordinance (Cap. 448). SUA refers to any power-driven unmanned aircraft that is 25 kilograms or less, as well as any components or equipment installed, carried, or attached to it before its flight. Let's take a closer look at the applications and uses of SUA in Hong Kong..

[Audio] We are discussing the benefits of the SUA Order in this slide. It offers diversified uses of SUA and reinforces public and aviation safety. The new regime gives users clear directives and a flexibility to keep up with new technology, enabling more innovative development and applications of SUA..

[Audio] The SUA Order has created a new regulatory system that dictates specifications for drone operators, which vary depending on the type and purpose of their drones. Drone pilots must be divided into various risk categories and abide by certain limitations, such as the maximum altitude, lateral distance, and speed, as well as registration, training and assessment, authorisation, labelling, equipping, and insurance. This system took effect on 1 June 2022..

[Audio] In Hong Kong, operating a small unmanned aerial system (SUA) requires adhering to the SUA Order. This entails registration, obtaining a training and rating, getting authorization, labelling the aircraft, ensuring proper equipage, and acquiring insurance. Exempt from these regulations are Category A1 SUA of a maximum of 250 grams when operated within applicable operating requirements..

[Audio] Operating unmanned aircraft in Hong Kong is subject to the requirements set out in the State Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) Order. These requirements include flying within daylight hours and adhering to maximum speed and altitude restrictions. For aircraft travelling at speeds below 20 kilometers per hour, a lateral separation of 10 meters must be kept from uninvolved people, structures, vehicles and vessels. When the speed is above 50 kilometers per hour, the lateral separation must be 30 meters. The Category A2 SUA applies to unmanned aircraft between 250g and 7kg in weight..

[Audio] Operating requirements for the use of SUA (Small Unmanned Aircraft) in Hong Kong are essential and must be strictly followed. These include stipulations on the time of operations, maintaining visual line of sight, maximum flying altitude, maximum speed, and the minimum lateral separation from uninvolved persons, structures, vehicles and vessels. The maximum number of SUA which can be flown at one time by one remote pilot is one. Maximum dimensions for the SUA must not exceed one meter, with the exception that the longest distance between any two rotor blade tips can reach up to 1.2 meters. Furthermore, SUA are not allowed to carry persons or animals, and dropping is prohibited for category A1 SUA, with a maximum weight of 250 grams. Category A2 SUA, with a weight range between 250 grams and 7 kilograms, will abide by the same rules..

[Audio] The SUA Order ensures the use of drones in Hong Kong is safe and compliant with regulations, taking into consideration traceability, safety awareness, standardization and adhesiveness of labels when issuing the SUA Registration Certificate and label. In order to uphold the Order to the highest standard, the SUA Owner (also known as the Responsible Person) must be 18 or over, while a Remote Pilot must be a minimum age of 14..

[Audio] The SUA Order and their applications in Hong Kong require remote pilot registration as well as SUA registration. The SUA provides safety information, circulars, FAQs and a drone map for users. To make things more convenient in Hong Kong, the one-stop portal eSUA serves as an informational hub..

[Audio] We are looking at the overview of the SUA Order, with a focus on public education and applications of SUA in HK. The operations of SUA carry higher risks, and extra safety requirements and prior permission from the CAD are necessary. Category A1 or A2 SUA operations must comply with applicable operating requirements, like flying altitude not exceeding 300 feet. Category B SUA operations, 7kg < SUA ≤ 25kg, operations involving the carriage of dangerous goods, and operations of any SUA within a Restricted Flying Zone, except wholly within an enclosed area, must all meet specific requirements. Thank you for your attention and I hope this overview has been useful..