Expendables Drone Watermarked - H 2014
Phil Bray Courtesy of Millenium FilmsThe Federal Aviation Administration has granted eight new regulatory exemptions for commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones.
This includes new exemptions to Helinet Aviation Services and Alan D. Purwin for film and television production. It also amended the exemptions previously granted to Pictorvision and Aerial MOB to let the companies fly additional types of small UAS.
Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx found that the drones in the proposed operations do not need an FAA-issued certificate of airworthiness because they do not pose a threat to national airspace users or national security.
But Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, said in a statement: “As the FAA grants these requests, it is missing an expected deadline for the small UAS rule. Meanwhile, the FAA continues to receive exemption requests faster than it can approve them, demonstrating the need for the agency to begin the rulemaking process and create regulations in order to allow for more widespread use of the technology, rather than regulating on a case by case basis. These long overdue regulations will help realize the full potential of UAS technology and allow a wide range of industries to reap its benefits.”
The FAA reported that it has received 342 requests for exemptions from commercial entities and individuals.
A growing number of filmmakers have taken an interest in the use of drones for film and TV production, with proponents arguing that it can make filming more efficient and cost effective, while opening up new creative options.
E-mail: Carolyn.Giardina@THR.com
Twitter: @CGinLA
