The movie industry petitions FAA for UAS exemption, UAS impact on traditional helicopter businesses, commercial UAVs in Canada, drug smuggling with drones, celebrities from history and drones, the video of the week, and listener feedback.
The FAA is considering granting seven professional aerial cinematography companies an exemption that would allow them to create video with UAVs. This comes from a petition by the Motion Picture Association of America on behalf of the companies.
In their press release, the FAA says, “To receive the exemptions, the firms must show that their UAS operations will not adversely affect safety, or provide at least an equal level of safety to the rules from which they seek the exemption. They would also need to show why granting the exemption would be in the public interest.”
To get a good understanding of what the FAA requires and the degree of detail provided, look at the exemption petitions filed with the FAA:
If (or when) commercial aerial video operations from sUAS takes place, what will be the impact on traditional helicopter companies?
There is a boom for unmanned aerial vehicles, and Canada has a “drone-friendly” environment. Military exports are not as restrictive, nor are regulatory requirements, and Canada is well-positioned for agricultural applications.
Mexican drug cartels are reportedly building drones to carry illegal drugs into the U.S. Drone lawyer John L. Davidson writes in the blog “Law of Drones, UASs, UAVs, and sUASs” that “Before long, ambitious cartel members will begin to fly unmanned drone aircraft from Mexico into the US, packed with high value narcotics.”
