Get ready for some amazing aerial footage, courtesy of Hollywood.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration this week granted regulatory exemptions to six aerial photo and video production companies — the first step towards allowing the film and TV industry to use unmanned aircraft systems in the U.S.
“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in broadening commercial UAS use while ensuring we maintain our world-class safety record in all forms of flight,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a release. “These companies are blazing a trail that others are already following, offering the promise of new advances in agriculture and utility safety and maintenance.”
Secretary Foxx determined that the unmanned aerial systems do not need an FAA-issued certificate of airworthiness because they do not pose a threat to national airspace users or national security, the release noted.
“We are thoroughly satisfied these operations will not pose a hazard to other aircraft or to people and property on the ground,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
The Motion Picture Association of America facilitated the exemption requests on behalf of: Astraeus Aerial, Aerial MOB, HeliVideo Productions, Pictorvision Inc, Vortex Aerial, and Snaproll Media.
What exactly can filmmakers do with unmanned aerial vehicles? Well, we’ll get a first-hand account next week at the GeekWire Summit as we welcome to the stage renowned National Geographic contributing photographer Chad Copeland, a former U.S. Air Force pilot and a pioneer in the use of drones.
Here’s a look at some of his work, which we will discuss at the Summit as well as the regulatory issues around utilizing drones. Copeland also will be the guest on this weekend’s GeekWire podcast and radio show.
Iceland -Ice Climbing Aerial Reel from Chad Copeland on Vimeo.
