Low-altitude economy rules 'must allow for taxi tests'
Lawmaker Chan Siu-hung, second left, says more relaxations of rules are needed so businesses can carry out trials on the transport of people and heavier cargo loads in the future. Photo: RTHK
The Low Altitude Economy Association on Wednesday suggested 13 ways that the government can expand the development potential of the new industrial sector.
One of its suggestions is for unmanned aircraft weighing more than 150 kilogrammes to come under regulatory oversight.
The suggestion comes in the wake of amendments to the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order of the Civil Aviation Ordinance coming into effect on Friday that regulates such aerial vehicles weighing between 25 and 150 kilogrammes.
Machines exceeding the 150 kilogramme limit will have to obtain permission from the Civil Aviation Department before they can take flight.
Speaking for the association, lawmaker Chan Siu-hung said more relaxations were needed to enable businesses to perform trials on transporting humans and cargo.
'We must be mindful that you need to carry out a series of pilot runs or trial runs in order to collect sufficient data to assess safety implications as well as the risks associated with such a pilot," he said.
"Rather than allow the carrying of real persons on the unmanned aerial vehicles, the government should think of allowing the carrying of dummies with the same size as well as similar weight for the purpose of trial runs," he added.
Chan's association and legislative colleague Frankie Yick said the government should also develop more cross-border logistical routes through waterways despite high expectations for the low-altitude economic potential associated with the Northern Metropolis.
'At the end of the day, we will to have much more than one [flight] route," he said.
"The Northern Metropolis is one of the places that we are talking about because it is close to the Shenzhen area, but how about other parts of the Guangdong area?
"Or even in the future if we can, we can go even further to Guangxi, because we can fly [unmanned aircraft] all over the sea."
Among the other suggestions are for a comprehensive training system to be instituted for those looking to use such aircraft and for a department to be set up specifically to promote the development of the low-altitude economy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
7 hours ago
- RTHK
Govt rejects UK officials' remarks on security actions
Govt rejects UK officials' remarks on security actions The government demanded the UK immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. File photo: RTHK The government on Saturday expressed its strong disapproval and opposition to untrue and biased remarks by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on the SAR's lawful act to pursue wanted persons endangering national security absconding from Hong Kong. "Endangering national security is a very serious offence. No country will watch with folded arms on acts and activities that endanger national security," a government spokesman said. Police on Friday issued arrest warrants for 19 people accused for violating the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) by forming or joining an organisation called the "Hong Kong Parliament". "Thus, the police applied to the court for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and put the persons on the wanted list." The spokesman further clarified the extraterritorial application of offences under the HKNSL is fully consistent with international law and represents a necessary measure for effective law enforcement. The spokesman also criticised the UK for having its own national security laws while questioning Hong Kong's legal actions, accusing the country of double standards. It demanded the UK government to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs.
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
DSE candidates face 4pc rise in fees for 2026 exams
DSE candidates face 4pc rise in fees for 2026 exams The HKEAA says fees and charges are going up to optimise use of resources and maintain its long-term stability. File photo: RTHK The exams body on Friday announced a 4 percent increase in fees for the 2026 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) exams and the introduction of a new fees structure for private candidates. According to the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA), the fees for school candidates for key language and other subjects have been raised by HK$30 and HK$20 each respectively. For a candidate taking six subjects – two language and four other subjects – the total fees will amount to HK3,630. The HKEAA stated that the hike is similar to previous years and remains at a relatively moderate level, with the adjustment taking into account various factors. For private candidates, a flat fee of HK$595 will be charged and there will be a new two-tier fees structure depending on their residency status. Candidates who are non-Hong Kong permanent residents are required to pay HK$1,377 for each language subject and HK$1,119 for each additional subject, HK$600 more when compared with that for local residents. For non-permanent residents who are under 18 years old and sitting the exam for the first time, there will be a new special entry fee of HK$2,000 per person. That would mean examination fees of more than HK$9,800 for those taking four core subjects and two electives. The HKEAA said the fees and charges had been revised to optimise the use of resources and maintain the long-term financial stability of the body. "There has been a notable increase in the number of private candidates in recent years. Some of these candidates, holding non-HKDSE qualifications, are required to submit Special Entry applications, which necessitate substantial manpower and resources from the authority to carefully vet each case," it said. "Additional examination centres and personnel have also been arranged to accommodate the growing number of private candidates, further increasing the operational costs of the HKDSE."
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
Hang Seng Index closes down 1.09pc
Hang Seng Index closes down 1.09pc The Hang Seng Index closed at 25,388 points. File photo: RTHK Stock markets fell on Friday as their latest rally ran out of steam, with sentiment weighed by strong US jobs data that saw investors row back expectations for interest rate cuts. Mainland stocks closed lower with the Shanghai Composite Index down 0.33 percent to 3,593 points, and the Shenzhen Component Index down 0.22 percent, closing at 11,168 points. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index fell 1.09 percent, closing at 25,388 points. The markets eagerly await to see if US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will cut interest rates. US President Donald Trump had pressed for a rate cut again during a visit to the Federal Reserve headquarters on Thursday. (AFP/Xinhua)
