Table of contents
UAPL Fees Summary
When is a UA Pilot License required?
UAPL Classes, Categories and Ratings
How to Apply for a Class A UAPL
UAPL Fees
UAPL Variation
Proficiency Check
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UA Training & Assessment OrganisationUATOs on averageDrone Element (See Course)Course Package ContentPractical Lessons Theory Lessons Refresher Practical LessonsPractical Lessons (21 hours) Refresher Practical: Free-Of-Charge Theory Lessons (12 hours) Internal Theory Test Internal Practical Assessment Course Materials Certification of Completion Training Drone Digital AnemometerFee – Total$2000 – $2699Full Course Fee - $2200 Sporeans 21 – 39 yrs old / PRs 21 yrs old & above - $1100 Sporeans 40 yrs old & above (MCES) - $660 (Skillsfuture-Eligible)Fee – Theory Test$125$125Fee – Practical Assessment$199$199
Summary Breakdown of UALP Package Prices across the board, and from Our Training Providers
Cantley Lifecare Drone CoursesCantley Lifecare Drone CoursesUA Piloting Experience Training Courses (SkillsFuture-eligible)Drone Photography & Videography CourseDrone Operation for Security SurveillanceFee – Full$1728$1512Fee – Sporeans 21 – 39 yrs old / PRs 21 yrs old & above$928$812Fee – Sporeans 40 yrs old & above (MCES)$608$532
Price Breakdown of UA Piloting Experience Courses from Our Training Providers
When is a UA Pilot License required?
A UA Pilot License (UAPL) is required under the following general circumstances:
Piloting a UA of any total mass in the course of business or for a purpose that is neither a recreation purpose nor an education purpose; or
Piloting a UA of a total mass exceeding 7 kg for any purpose
Note: A UAPL is not required under the aforementioned circumstances if the UA pilot is operating an UA under the supervision of a UAPL holder for a UAPL training conducted by a UATO, or a practical assessment or proficiency check conducted by an Authorized Flight Examiner or the Authority. Note also that a UA pilot must be at least 16 years old to hold a UAPL.
For a more detailed examination of when a UAPL and relevant permits are required before flying a drone, refer to our articles: Regulatory Requirements for Unmanned Aircraft in Singapore, and Permits for Unmanned Aircraft in Singapore
When is a UAPL not required?
A UAPL is NOT required by a UA pilot or a UA pilot supervisor when flying an UA indoors under the following circumstances:
within a private residence
an experimental site related to the construction and testing of the UA
within a non-publicly accessible area that is not being used for
a sporting activity that forms part of an organised group activity or organised competition, race or tournament;
an event that is attended by more than 50 individuals at any time during the event;
a flying display.
Note: “Publicly accessible” refers to a place that the public has the right to access, with or without payment.
UAPL Classes, Categories and Ratings
There are in total, 4 categories of UA: aeroplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, and airship. For the purposes of this article, we will only be exploring the UAPL classes for rotorcrafts.
Class A UAPL
Allows for the operation of UA of total mass that does not exceed 25kg
Class B UAPL
Allows for operation of specific UA models (also known as rating) with total mass that exceeds 25kg. Applicants must hold a valid Class A UAPL for the same category as a prerequisite for application.
How to Apply for a Class A UAPL
Attend Optional Training
Conducted by UA Training and Assessment Organisations (UATOs)
To see the UAPL training by UATOs that we host, see Drone Flying Course: From Beginner to Pilot and Commercial Drone Course for CAAS UAPL
Register for a CAPELS account
Register & Login Page
Obtain your unique CAPELS PID number that is required for the theory test and practical assessment
Pass Theory Test
Pass is a minimum of 75% test score
Not allowed to attempt test more than 2 times in a period of one month
Pass status is valid for 24 months
Must pass theory test to be eligible for this
Fee paid for the official test is fixed at $125.
Pass Practical Assessment
Must pass assessment for the desired UAPL’s class and category
Conducted by Authorised Flight Examiner (AFE) under a CAAS-approved UATO, or by CAAS itself. Fee paid for the official assessment is fixed at $199.
Submit UAPL Application
Submitted through CAPELS website
Upload Theory Test result and Make Payment (Practical Assessment results will be uploaded by AFE)
Applicant must be at least 16 years old
Typically takes 10 working days for application to be processed
Receive Digital License
After UAPL is granted, applicant will receive email containing digital instructions for him/her to view digital license via the SGFlight mobile application
UAPL Fees
The norm for obtaining a UAPL is commonly to go through UATOs, practical and theory training fees vary. Some UATOs provide practical training, theory test, and practical assessment in a package.
Some of the drone training courses provided on our site are eligible to be paid for partially with SkillsFuture Credits, essentially subsidizing the cost of these lessons. An example is Commercial Drone Course for CAAS UAPL.
UAPL Variation
A valid UAPL holder may apply to CAAS to vary their license by
adding or removing a category to their UAPL
adding or removing a rating (UA model) to their UAPL
modifying a condition of the UAPL
To apply for it:
Submit application through CAPELS website
Application to be accompanied by the following information;
Practical assessment results of the applicant (uploaded to CAPELS by the AFE and tagged to the applicant) if the application is to add a Class A category to the UAPL; or
Documents evidencing that the applicant has satisfied all the requirements for the corresponding category in Class A if the application is to add a rating in Class B
Proficiency Check
All UAPL holders must pass a proficiency check conducted by an AFE from an approved UATO every 4 years from the date which the category was specified on the UAPL.
For Class A UAPL holders, failure to complete a competency check in time will lead to the expiry of the UAPL according to the category dates on the UAPL.
For Class B UAPL holders, in addition to a proficiency check, a refresher training in respect to each category stated on the Class B UAPL is required to be conducted once every year. Refresher training can be conducted by a UATO or an Operator Permit holder by whom the holder of the UAPL is employed or engaged. Failure to complete the proficiency check or refresher training will lead to the expiry of the UAPL in respect of the rating specified in the license.
When undergoing the proficiency check, documents proving the completion of the Class B refresher training must be provided to the AFE.
Related Articles
If you’re interested in flying a drone in Singapore, refer to our drone regulation related articles
Regulatory Requirements for Unmanned Aircraft in Singapore
Permits for Unmanned Aircraft Operation in Singapore
How to Register Your Drone in Singapore
If you are interested in attending drone flying courses, check out our selection of Drone Courses.
For more information on unmanned aircraft flying in Singapore, refer to the CAAS website.