2 Singaporean men charged with flying drones near Paya Lebar Air Base
SINGAPORE — Two men were charged on Friday (5 July) with operating drones without a permit near Paya Lebar Air Base, in an unprecedented case of individuals hauled to court for drone activity.
To date, only a company has been charged for operating a drone without a permit.
Ed Chen Junyuan, a 37-year-old Singaporean, allegedly operated a DBPOWER FPV drone at an open field near block 128C Punggol Field Walk without a valid Class 2 Activity Permit last Wednesday at about 9pm.
The area was within 5 kilometres of Paya Lebar Air Base.
Chen was said to have been operating the drone, weighing 0.375kg, for leisure purposes.
A second man, 40-year-old Tay Miow Seng, also faces a similar charge. Tay is alleged to have flown a Bumblebee wrapped DJI drone, weighing 0.43kg, at the same venue with Chen.
The two Singaporeans are represented by lawyers Josephus Tan and Cory Wong.
Tay and Chen will return to court on 2 August.
On 28 May, construction company LT Sambo Co was charged with operating a small unmanned aircraft outdoors along Marine Parade Road without a Class 1 activity permit on 17 November 2017. The case is ongoing.
A first-time offender convicted of operating a small unmanned aircraft for research or recreational purposes without a permit may be fined up to $20,000.
More Singapore stories
40% of married Singaporean couples 'not happy' with progress in trying for a baby: survey
No sea sand export, but river sand ok, natural resources minister clarifies
