Hollywood to get new sky-high perspective on films
The FAA is one step closer to allowing commercial drones in the U.S. The government confirmed the plans on Thursday.
A handful of companies are being given a waiver for TV and film production.
Jeff Pegues reported from Washington about an aviation milestone that could go far beyond show business.
Until today, the big movie studios have been using drones in other countries to capture scenes in movies like "Skyfall"
Now it's time to cue the drones in Hollywood.
One of the companies with a waiver from the FAA is "Aerial MOB".
"It allows us now to work with the six major studios on the feature film side; they've wanted this technology for years, but they all pretty much say the same thing," said Aerial MOB co-owner Tony Carmean. "They will not touch it until it's two things - it's safe and legal."
The FAA's waiver comes with restrictions. Among them, the operators must hold private pilot certificates, keep drones within line of sight at all times and operate on a closed set only during the day.
Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx says the exemptions "show that DOT and FAA are taking a safe and reasonable approach" to integration.
The agency has been criticized for dragging its feet in coming up with the regulations. In the meantime safety has been an issue.
In New York City a drone nearly collided with a police helicopter.
"We had a drone come within 50 feet of us," the NYPD pilot said.
But these FAA exemptions are the blueprint for the future, and Hollywood sees the potential. The Motion Picture Association of America helped the six companies win the exemptions.
The group's attorney, John McGraw, expects to see an influx of requests for commercial drones use.
"Well I think what you're going to see is when the first ones are approved, you'll see hundreds of applications to the FAA for uses for drones."
The floodgates are open from other industries who want to use drones to do their work. The FAA says they've for more 40 requests so far and more are rolling in.