AN IN-DEPTH ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING LEGAL FRAMEWORK REGULATING UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS) ACTIVITIES IN MALAYSIA

The rapid growth of the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) industry, with significant increases projected for commercial unmanned aircraft, urban air mobility vehicles, cargo delivery drones, inspection drones, and hobby drones, necessitates a comprehensive approach to UAS regulations. While the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has made strides in developing regulations for UAS operations, the current rules, mainly the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2016 are insufficient to address the challenges posed by emerging UAS technologies and their unique operational concepts. Innovations such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), international operations of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), swarm drones, and autonomous UAS operations are outpacing existing regulations. The aim of this study was to identify and address the shortcomings of the current regulatory framework for UAS operations in Malaysia and compared the global renowned regulatory bodies. To achieve these goals, a multi-faceted research methodology was employed. This involved an in-depth analysis of international regulatory frameworks and a comprehensive survey to gather necessary data and insights. In summary, this research presented a comprehensive and transformative approach to UAS operations in Malaysia. The findings and recommendations of this study provided valuable insights for policymakers, regulators, and UAS operators in Malaysia and other countries facing similar regulatory challenges.