How much does it cost to attend a preparatory course for the Unmanned Aircraft Pilot License (UAPL), or the drone license as we know it? In this guide, we compare all UAPL courses offered in the Singapore aviation scene, course fees as well as subsidies you may tap on.
To recap, you will need a Unmanned Aircraft Pilot License if you:
- Operate unmanned aircraft for commercial purposes, or;
- Operate unmanned aircraft weighing above 7kg.
As of the time of writing, CAAS has endorsed 11 unmanned aircraft operators to be Unmanned Aircraft Training Organisations (UATOs), or more commonly known as drone academies.
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Grants and Subsidies for Drone License Courses
In general, course fees may go up to a few thousands before subsidies. For those who meet the criteria, there are a few grants you may tap on to get some cost savings – check with the course provider if you may tap on these grants to offset course fees:
- SkillsFuture credit (Singaporeans only)
Introduced in 2015, all Singaporeans aged 25 and above will receive an opening credit of S$500, which can be used to offset course fees. - SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (for Singaporeans aged 40 & above)
The SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy is for Singaporeans aged 40 years old and above. Eligible individuals will receive higher subsidies of up to 90% of course fees. - Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (for Singaporeans and SPRs).
This is the only scheme that SPRs may apply. Courses have to be fully paid for by the employer and the sponsoring SME must meet certain eligibility criteria. Check with your employer if you’re eligible.
Types of Drone Training Courses Offered
Depending on your prior experiences in operating unmanned aircrafts, you may choose between full courses that include both theory and practical training, or choose to attend theory and practical courses separately.
Full Drone Training Courses
Most UATOs offer “full courses” that prepare you for both the UAPL theory and practical assessments. This is most suited for those with no prior experience in flying unmanned aircraft.
- UAPL up to 7kg (Full Course): Theory + Practical + Assessment
At the end of the course and upon passing your practical assessment, you’ll be able to operate unmanned aircraft of up to 7kg.
Price range: $1,850 to $2,137.86 with no subsidies
Course length: Five to nine days
- UAPL up to 25kg (Full Course): Theory + Practical + Assessment
This is similar to the above, except that at the end of the courses, you may operate bigger equipment weighing up to 25kg. Some courses may require you to be an existing UAPL holder (7kg).
Price range: $1,400 to $3,499 with no subsidies
Course length: Five to nine days
“Half” or Modular Drone Training Courses
This is suitable for those who may need flexibility by scheduling theory and practical training separately.
- UAPL up to 7kg: Practical Training and Assessment Only, Theory Excluded
Courses do not include theory training. This is best suited for those who have already passed their UAPL theory tests.
Price range: $1,800 to $4,066 with no subsidies
Course length: Four to seven days
- UAPL up to 25kg: Practical Training and Assessment Only, Theory Excluded
This is similar to the above. In addition, you may take up courses of this type if you already have a UA Pilot License that allows you to operate unmanned aircraft of up to 7kg and require a “Removal of (7kg) Limitation”. By having the “limitation” removed, you will then be able to operate unmanned aircraft of up to 25kg, instead of just 7kg.
Price range: $799 to $4,066 with no subsidies
Course length: Four to seven days. For “Removal of Limitation”, one to two days
- Theory only
Courses of this type include theory training only and can usually be completed in a day.
Price range: $300-$399
Course length: One day
UAPL up to 7kg (Full Course): Theory + Practical + Assessment
Do note that the three tertiary institutions (Institute of Technical Education, Singapore Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic) on our list of UATOs do not offer full courses, but instead, offer theory and practical training courses separately. For easy comparison, we will combine course fees from both theory and practical training for courses offered by these institutions.
| Name of UATO & Course Code | Garuda RoboticsUT05 | MIRS Innovate Pte LtdALFA01B/ALFA03A | Avetics Global Pte LtdCourse 2A | Apollo Drones AcademyADT02 | CWT Aerospace Services Pte Ltd | Air Beacon Pte Ltd | Singapore Polytechnic**Trainees are to register for theory and practical training courses separately. | Singapore Flying College | Republic Polytechnic**Trainees are to register for theory and practical training courses separately. | Drone Element Pte LtdUAPC01 |
| Prices | $2,099 | $1,600 (weekday course)$2,150 (weekend course) | $2,000 | $2,0008 days29 hours | Combined fees for theory (T) + practical (P) With SkillsFuture Mid-Career subsidy / SME-sponsored: $459.80 (P) + $71.39 (T)= $531.16 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $1,219.80 (P) + $189.39 (T)= $1,409.19 Full course fee: $4,066.00 (P) + $631.30 (T)= $4,697.30 | $2,137.86 (incl. GST) | Combined fees for theory (T) + practical (P) With SkillsFuture Mid-Career subsidy: $283.55 (P) + $42.80 (T)= $326.35 SME-sponsored: $320.65 (P) + $48.40 (T) = $369.05 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $850.65 (P) + $128.40 (T)= $979.05 Full course fee: $2,835.50 (P) + $428.00 (T)= $3,263.50 | $1,850 | ||
| Subsidies or grants available | No subsidy | No subsidy indicated | SkillsFuture credits can be used, up to $500 | No subsidy | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises Scheme | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises Scheme | Unknown | ||
| Any pre-requisite? | Nil | Nil | Unknown | Nil | It is recommended that participants pass their CAAS UAPL Theory Test prior to attending this course. | Nil | It is recommended that participants pass their CAAS UAPL Theory Test prior to attending this course. | Nil | ||
| Total hours (excluding practical assessment) | Total: 27 hours over 5 days Theory – 8 hours Practical – 18 hours | Total: 5 days Theory – 8 hours Practical trainingWeekday course – 4 days Weekend course – 4 Saturdays | 6 theory modules, 8 practical lessons, actual hours unknown | Total: 8 days Complimentary UA Basic Training (e-Learning) – 2 hours Theory – 8 hours Practical – 19 hours | Total: 32 hours over 4 days | Total: 5.5 days Day 1: Theory class (virtual) Day 2: Flight simulation training in SIA Training Centre Day 3-5: Practical training sessions (3 hours each) | Total: 5 days (7 hours per day, with breaks) | Total hours: 35 hours Theory – 12 hours Practical – 21 hours |
UAPL up to 25kg (Full Course): Theory + Practical + Assessment
| Name of UATO & Course Code | Garuda RoboticsUT01 | MIRS Innovate Pte LtdALFA01D (9-day)/ALFA01 (5-day) | Avetics Global Pte LtdCourse 2B | Apollo Drones AcademyADT03 | CWT Aerospace Services Pte Ltd | Air Beacon Pte Ltd | Singapore Polytechnic**Trainees are to register for theory and practical training courses separately. | Singapore Flying College | Republic Polytechnic**Trainees are to register for theory and practical training courses separately. | Drone Element Pte LtdUAPC 02 |
| Prices | $2,599 | 9-day package (recommended for pilot trainee who has zero prior knowledge): $3,499.00 5-day package (recommended for trainees with prior knowledge): $2,359 | $2,400 | $2,400 | Submitted enquiry | Submitted enquiry | *Note: Singapore Polytechnic does not offer full courses. Instead, theory and practical trainings are to be taken separately. SkillsFuture subsidy / SME-sponsored: $459.80 (P) + $71.39 (T)= $531.19 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $1,219.80 (P) + $189.39 (T)= $1,409.19 Full course fee: $4,066.00 (P) + $631.30 (T)= $4,697.30 | $2,886.86 (incl. GST) | *Theory and practical training are to be taken separately. SkillsFuture subsidy: $165.86 (P) + $42.80 (T)= $208.66 SME-sponsored: $187.55 (P) + $48.40 (T)= $235.95 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $497.55 (P) + $128.40 (T)= $625.95 Full course fee: $1,658.50 (P) + $428.00 (T)= $2,086.50 | $1,400 |
| Subsidies or grants available | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture Credit claimable for 5-day package | SkillsFuture credit can be used, capped at $500 | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises Scheme | No subsidy available | Payment may be made using SkillsFuture credit | Unknown | ||
| Any pre-requisite? | Nil | The 5-day package is recommended for those with prior experience in UA operation | Nil | Nil | It is recommended that participants have passed their CAAS Unmanned Aircraft Pilot Licence (UAPL) Theory Test prior to attending this course | Class A Rotorcraft Limited to Multi-rotor Less than 7kg UAPL | Pre-requisite: Class A Rotorcraft Limited to Multi-rotor Less than 7kg UAPL | |||
| Total hours (excluding practical assessment) | Theory Training – 2hPractical Training – 24h Total: 26 hours | 9-day packageTheory training – 8hPractical training – 8 days 5-day packageTheory training – 8hPractical training – 4 days | 6 theory modules, 8 practical lessons, actual hours unknown | 2h (UA Basic Training) + 8h UAPL Theory Practical training – 19 hours Total: 7 days | 32 hours/3 days | Day 1: Theory class (virtual) Day 2: Flight simulation training in SIA Training Centre Day 3-5: Practical training sessions (3 hours each) Total: 5.5 days | 2 days (7 hours per day, with breaks) | Theory – 6h Practical – 10h Total: 16 hours |
UAPL up to 7kg (Half Course): Training and Assessment Only (Theory Excluded)
| Name of UATO & Course Code | Garuda Robotics | MIRS Innovate Pte LtdALFA01C / ALFA03B | Avetics Global Pte LtdCourse 3A | Apollo Drones AcademyADT04 | CWT Aerospace Services Pte Ltd | Air Beacon Pte Ltd | Singapore Polytechnic | Singapore Flying College | Republic Polytechnic | Drone Element Pte Ltd |
| Prices | N/A | Weekday course: $1,600 Weekend course (4 Saturdays): $1,950 | $1,800 | $1,800 | Submitted enquiry | Submitted enquiry | Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above (under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy), SME-sponsored: $459.80 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $1,219.80 Full course fee: $4,066.00 | Unknown | Singapore citizens aged 40 and above (under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy): $283.55 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $850.65 SME-sponsored Singapore citizens or SPR: $320.65 Full course fee: $2,835.50 | No information |
| Subsidies or grants available | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture credit can be used, capped at $500 | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises Scheme | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises Scheme | |||||
| Total hours (excluding practical assessment) | Practical training – 4 days Practical assessment – 1hr (another day) Weekend course4 Saturdays Practical assessment – 1hr (another day) | 8 practical lessons, number of hours unknown | Practical training – 19 hours Total: 7 days | 32 hours / 4 days | 5 days (7 hours per day, with breaks) | |||||
| Any pre-requisite? | Nil | Nil | Nil | It is recommended that participants pass their CAAS UAPL Theory Test prior to attending this course. | It is recommended that participants pass their CAAS UAPL Theory Test prior to attending this course. |
UAPL up to 25kg (Half Course): Training and Assessment Only (Theory excluded)
| Name of UATO & Course Code | Garuda RoboticsUT03 | MIRS Innovate Pte LtdALFA01E/ALFA04 | Avetics Global Pte LtdCourse 3B | Apollo Drones AcademyADT05 | CWT Aerospace Services Pte Ltd | Air Beacon Pte Ltd | Singapore Polytechnic*Practical only | Singapore Flying College | Republic Polytechnic*Practical only | Drone Element Pte Ltd |
| Prices | UAPL Training and Assessment to Remove Weight Limitation: $799 | $2,100 Removal of limitations (from 7kg to 25kg): $1,100 | $2,200 | $2,200 | Submitted enquiry | Submitted enquiry | Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above (under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy), SME-sponsored: $459.80 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $1,219.80 Full course fee: $4,066.00 | Unknown | Singapore citizens aged 40 and above (under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy): $165.86 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $497.55 SME-sponsored Singapore citizens or SPR: $187.55 Full course fee: $1,658.50 | Removal of limitation available, price unknown |
| Subsidies or grants available | No subsidy available | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture credit can be used, capped at $500 | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises Scheme | Payment may be made using SkillsFuture credit | ||||
| Any pre-requisite? | Existing holders of a Class A (Rotorcraft) UAPL, limited to multi-rotor up to 7kg only, to remove the weight limitation from their UAPL | Existing holders of a Class A (Rotorcraft) UAPL, limited to multi-rotor up to 7kg only, to remove the weight limitation from their UAPL | Nil | Nil | It is recommended that participants have passed their CAAS Unmanned Aircraft Pilot Licence (UAPL) Theory Test prior to attending this course | Class A Rotorcraft Limited to Multi-rotor Less than 7kg UAPL | ||||
| Total hours (excluding practical assessment) | Practical Training – 6hUAPL Proficiency Check – 1.5h Flight hours: 1.25Total: 7 hours | Practical training – 4 days Practical assessment – 1hr (another day) Removal of limitationPractical training – 2 days | 8 practical lessons, number of hours unknown | 2h (UA Basic Training) + 8h UAPL Theory Practical training – 19 hours Total: 7 days | 32 hours/3 days | 2 days (7 hours per day, with breaks) |
Theory Only
| Name of UATO & Course Code | Garuda RoboticsUT04 | MIRS Innovate Pte LtdALFA05 | Avetics Global Pte LtdCourse 1 | Apollo Drones AcademyADT01 | CWT Aerospace Services Pte Ltd | Air Beacon Pte Ltd | Singapore Polytechnic | Singapore Flying College | Republic Polytechnic | Drone Element Pte Ltd |
| Prices | $399 | $300 | $300 | $300*with Complimentary UA Basic Training | Singapore Citizens aged 40 and above (under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy), SME-sponsored: $71.39 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $189.39 Full course fee: $631.30 | Unknown | Singapore citizens aged 40 and above (under the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy): $42.80 SME-sponsored Singapore citizens or SPR: $48.40 Singapore citizens aged below 40, or SPR: $128.40 Full course fee: $428.00 | $350 | ||
| Any pre-requisite? | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | |||
| Total hours (excluding practical assessment) | 8h | 8h | 6 modules with quizzes, number of hours unknown | UABT (e-learning) – 2hUAPL Theory – 8h | 16 hours / 2 days | 2 days (7 hours per day, with breaks) | 1.5 days/12 hours | |||
| Subsidies or grants available | No subsidy available | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture credit can be used, capped at $500 | No subsidy available | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises Scheme | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Enhanced Training Support for Small & Medium Enterprises Scheme | Unknown |
“Must I Attend a Drone Academy to Obtain My License?”
In addition to providing training, all instructors of drone academies have been authorised by CAAS to be Authorised Flight Examiners (AFE). This means that your instructor will most likely be the assessor for your practical assessment.
With Singapore as “the capital of tuition centres” in Southeast Asia, even drone academies operate like tuition centres to a certain extent! Similar to how parents prefer MOE teachers to teach their children, you would want CAAS-certified trainers, or Authorised Flight Examiners (AFE), to guide you through your assessments. Most, if not all drone academies, provide exam guides that help pilot candidates pass their theory tests with flying colours. When each test (or re-test) costs $125, you would want to make sure you pass the UAPL theory test at your first attempt!
Will you be attending a drone license course soon? Let us know!