Air Navigation (Exemption for Project KESTREL) Order 2026

This Order is the Air Navigation (Exemption for Project KESTREL) Order 2026.

This Order is in force for the period between 21 September 2026 and 20 September 2027 (both dates inclusive).

This Order is the Air Navigation (Exemption for Project KESTREL) Order 2026.

This Order is in force for the period between 21 September 2026 and 20 September 2027 (both dates inclusive).

Any term in this Order that is defined in the First Schedule to the Air Navigation (91 — General Operating Rules) Regulations 2018 (G.N. No. S 441/2018) has the meaning given to that term in that Schedule unless the term is otherwise defined in sub‑paragraph (2).

In this Order —

“ammunition” has the meaning given by section 4(1) of the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021;

“Home Team Science and Technology Agency” or “HTX” means the Home Team Science and Technology Agency established under section 3 of the Home Team Science and Technology Agency Act 2019;

“HTX officer” means a person appointed or employed under section 30 of the Home Team Science and Technology Agency Act 2019;

“jet‑propelled manpack system” or “JMS” means the aircraft known as the Gravity Industries Manpack Jet Suit Model MK4;

“police officer” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Police Force Act 2004;

“Project KESTREL” means the joint trial between the HTX and the SPF known as “Project KESTREL” in relation to the JMS;

“Singapore Police Force” or “SPF” means the Singapore Police Force established under section 3 of the Police Force Act 2004;

“specified activity” has the meaning given by paragraph 3(1);

“specified area” means any area set out in the First Schedule;

“specified period” means the period between 21 September 2026 and 20 September 2027 (both dates inclusive).

Subject to paragraph 4, a person mentioned in sub‑paragraph (2) is exempt from the provisions mentioned in sub‑paragraph (3) in respect of the conduct of any of the following activities under Project KESTREL (each called in this Order a specified activity), in any specified area:

piloting or operating a JMS;

carrying out any aerial work operation using a JMS;

assisting in the activity mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a) or (b).

A person mentioned in sub‑paragraph (1) is any of the following:

the HTX in its capacity as an operator of a JMS under Project KESTREL;

any person (including a police officer, an HTX officer, a contractor of the SPF or the HTX, or an employee of the contractor) who is authorised, employed or engaged by the HTX in its capacity as an operator of a JMS under Project KESTREL to conduct a specified activity.

The provisions mentioned in sub‑paragraph (1) are —

regulation 5(1) of the Air Navigation (47 — Aircraft Registration) Regulations 2026 (G.N. No. S 39/2026);

regulation 30(2) of the Air Navigation (91 — General Operating Rules) Regulations 2018; and

regulation 4 of the Air Navigation (137 — Aerial Work) Regulations 2018 (G.N. No. S 502/2018).

Subject to paragraph 4, a person mentioned in sub‑paragraph (2) is exempt from the provisions mentioned in sub‑paragraph (3) in respect of the conduct of any of the following activities under Project KESTREL (each called in this Order a specified activity), in any specified area:

piloting or operating a JMS;

carrying out any aerial work operation using a JMS;

assisting in the activity mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a) or (b).

A person mentioned in sub‑paragraph (1) is any of the following:

the HTX in its capacity as an operator of a JMS under Project KESTREL;

any person (including a police officer, an HTX officer, a contractor of the SPF or the HTX, or an employee of the contractor) who is authorised, employed or engaged by the HTX in its capacity as an operator of a JMS under Project KESTREL to conduct a specified activity.

The provisions mentioned in sub‑paragraph (1) are —

regulation 5(1) of the Air Navigation (47 — Aircraft Registration) Regulations 2026 (G.N. No. S 39/2026);

regulation 30(2) of the Air Navigation (91 — General Operating Rules) Regulations 2018; and

regulation 4 of the Air Navigation (137 — Aerial Work) Regulations 2018 (G.N. No. S 502/2018).

The exemption in paragraph 3 is subject to the following conditions:

the safety conditions specified in the Second Schedule are complied with at all times during the flight or operation of the JMS for which the specified activity is conducted;

there is in force, at all times when the specified activity is conducted, a policy of insurance with reasonably adequate coverage, maintained by or on behalf of the HTX insuring the HTX against any liability in respect of —

the death of, or personal injury sustained by, any person; and

any property damage suffered by any person,arising out of or in relation to the specified activity;

the risk under the policy of insurance mentioned in sub‑paragraph (b) is assumed by an insurer who, at the time the policy is issued, is lawfully carrying on an insurance business in Singapore;

the HTX must —

keep full and proper records of the following information relating to Project KESTREL during the specified period:

every flight log of every JMS, including flight times, flight altitude, weather conditions and visibility conditions;

every maintenance schedule and record in respect of every JMS;

every training programme to pilot or operate a JMS;

a list of every individual who may pilot or operate a JMS;

every test result for every JMS, including each anomaly;

provide the information mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i) for every calendar month during the specified period to the Authority on the first working day of the next calendar month; and

maintain the records mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i) for one year after 20 September 2027;

on the occurrence of a reportable safety matter specified in the Third Schedule in the course of the conduct of a specified activity, the HTX —

must immediately cease, or cause to be ceased, all activities under Project KESTREL;

must notify the Authority in writing of the occurrence as soon as practicable, but not later than 24 hours after the occurrence;

must submit a written report of the circumstances surrounding the occurrence to the Authority within 3 working days after the occurrence; and

must not resume or recommence the conduct of the specified activity, except with the Authority’s approval in writing;

if the HTX flies or operates on a particular day any JMS in a specified area, the whole or a part of which is in a control zone, the HTX must —

before the first flight or operation of a JMS on that day, obtain the consent of the Republic of Singapore Air Force not less than 15 minutes before the flight or operation; and

after the last flight or operation of a JMS on that day, inform the Republic of Singapore Air Force of the completion of the flight or operation.