As exciting as drones are proving for both hobbyists and commercial filmmakers, local and federal governments in the United States are continuously enacting legislation that governs the use of drones for shooting video.
Filmmakers and video production professionals need to pay particular attention to the rules because the FAA requires anyone using drones for commercial purposes to get special permission to do so.
Have a look at the infographic below for an overview of the rules you need to know. This isn’t meant to be legal advice, just a heads-up for all the little details you must take into account when shooting commercial footage with your drone:
Back in December, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced its official registration rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in the United States. It’s important that you register yourself as a user before you embark on your first flight.
The process takes about 5 minutes. Just create an account, fill out your profile, review the FAA safety guidelines, and boom — you’re officially equipped to recreationally operate a flying camera in the wild! You do not have to have your (drone) Camera in hand to register.
Until January 20th, 2016 you can register free of charge. After January 20th, all registrants may be subject to a $5 fee. That’s the equivalent of one fancy coffee you’d be missing out on.
You MUST mark any and all aircraft with your number before you operate them.
The number must be visible without using tools. You may mark it inside the battery compartment if that is accessible. You may use any method to affix the number that ensures it remains visible, including permanent marker, label, or engraving.
To operate as a hobbyist, you must operate according to the safety guidance you have acknowledged and in accordance with a community based set of safety guidance. For further information on the safety guidance visit faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/
Recently, the Digital Production Buzz interviewed two founders of a company that specializes in flying drones for videography. After watching the interview, Mike wrote to share some important information and clarifications on flying drones.
Mike writes:
Current FAA rules stipulate that no drone can be flown within 5 miles of any airport, nor can they be flown inside any national park without a special permit; and this permit does not include state parks or national forests. Also, all flights must be kept below 500 feet.
The FAA proposed new rules for drone flight. Check out the full press release here. What does this mean for the video industry? It is actually not as bad as the last proposal that wanted all drone flyers to get a pilots license. Some high points (pun intended) are:
“An operator would have to be at least 17 years old, pass an aeronautical knowledge test and obtain an FAA UAS operator certificate.”
“To maintain certification, the operator would have to pass the FAA knowledge tests every 24 months.”
“A small UAS operator would not need any further private pilot certifications (i.e., a private pilot license or medical rating).”
With these newly proposed rules it offers some regulation around drone flight which is great for safety. What do you think about the proposed regulations and does your company operate a drone? Continue the conversation and update us here.
The current unmanned aircraft rules remain in place until the FAA implements a final new rule. The FAA encourages new operators to visit: http://www.knowbeforeyoufly.org
For the past few years, drone professionals and enthusiasts alike have been awaiting a new set of regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration. Unfortunately, new information about the proposed regulations point towards filmmakers being incredibly unhappy with the FAA in the very near future.
In a report that first appeared in the Wall Street Journal last week, Jack Nicas and Andy Pasztor unveiled the FAA’s proposed plans, which include some sensible regulations, such as limiting drone flight to daytime hours only, limiting altitude to 400 feet or less, and requiring that the UAV be in sight of the pilot at all times. However, the major blow to filmmakers — and anybody else looking to take advantage of the ubiquitous and inexpensive drone technology that has flooded the market of late — is that the FAA is likely going to require drone pilots to be licensed to fly manned aircraft, a process that requires dozens upon dozens of hours of training.
The main distinction to make here is between commercial and non-commercial uses. For hobbyists who have a drone and like to fly it around their backyard, these proposed regulations likely won’t have much impact. However, for filmmakers who make a living through drone videography, or at least leverage drone technology for commercial purposes in some way, these regulations could very well make their lives incredibly difficult, especially if they’re strictly enforced.
Another interesting distinction in the proposed FAA regulations comes with their weight classifications. The agency is said to be grouping all drones weighing less than 55 pounds into one category under which this set of regulations will apply. That means that the professional and high-end drones which carry larger payloads, and which therefore pose more of a threat to public safety, will be regulated the same as drones like the DJI Phantom II, which comes in at a weight of under 3 pounds.
It seems like we can all agree that some measure of professional and certifiable training is in order for people who fly drones professionally. Obviously public and personal safety can be threatened by these aerial drones without the proper precautions. But to require drone pilots to be licensed to pilot manned aircraft is perhaps one of the most laughable and arbitrary things that the FAA could have done. As Bryant Frazer over at Studio Daily so eloquently put it:
That’s a little like making a 16-year-old become licensed to operate an 18-wheeler before being allowed to tool around town in a Honda Civic.
At this point, these proposed regulations are just that: proposals. That means that, for the time being, you can still go fly your drone over a wedding and make a few bucks off of it without needing a pilot’s license. However, don’t expect that unbridled freedom to last long.
GoPro is developing its own line of consumer drones with high-definition cameras for launch next year, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.
The company plans to sell the new devices late next year for between $500 to $1,000 each, the sources told the newspaper.
The California-based firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Dean Hutton | Bloomberg | Getty Images
A SteadiDrone QU4D aerial drone fitted with a GoPro video camera. GoPro is developing its own consumer drone with a high definition camera.
GoPro cameras are already compatible with several consumer drones on the market, and the news service noted that the world’s biggest consumer drone maker, SZ DJI Technology of China, recently launched a product with its own camera.
The future of the drone industry still hinges on pending regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration, which has banned commercial use of drones.
The NTSB sided with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week in a ruling that declared small, unmanned aircrafts and drones are subject to FAA regulation. Because FAA rules prohibit the careless or reckless operation of an aircraft, the agency now has the power to implement a blanket ban on unmanned devices if it so chooses—although paradoxically, that kind of flat-footed response is made unlikely by drones’ increasing popularity.
More probably, the FAA will want to avoid mass public outrage and focus any crackdown on drones operating near airports, (an increasingly common and vexing phenomenon) and in other places where drones could be dangerous, such as fireworks shows, densely populated urban areas, and at high altitudes where planes and helicopters fly.
“It’s a huge win for the FAA, and signals it’s not going to be the Wild West for drones, but a careful, orderly, safe introduction of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system,” Kenneth Quinn, a former FAA general counsel, told NBC News.
Peter Wade is a writer and community coordinator at Fast Company. He also maintains his own news, media and pop culture blog at BrooklynMutt.com. Priors include The @Daily & SNY.
AirDog is a small, agile, foldable quadcopter, especially designed for filmmakers and action sports enthusiasts who use GoPro cameras.
Like its canine namesake, AirDog automatically follows you wherever you go, whatever you do. It’s not bothered by pelting rain, freezing temps, massive waves, or freaking insane places. AirDog doesn’t say “no.” It just follows, flying right along.
AirDog is your sidekick, just in case you can’t rent a helicopter plus professional photographer to take a video of your black diamond run. AirDog is your personal training assistant, allowing you to review what you’re doing right, and where you need to improve. AirDog can transport you to views that you never thought possible. AirDog can persuade others to join you in your extremes.
Just strap the AirLeash (tracker device) on your wrist or helmet, and the AirDog is ready to follow you.
Inside, AirDog is really complex technology. But using and controlling AirDog is really simple.
Here’s the basic idea
AirDog follows a signal from the programmable tracker – AirLeash. We could use a smartphone, but you need more precise tracking for actions sports. So we designed AirLeash.
The AirLeash is a small waterproof computerized tracker with clever software and sensors inside. It sends signals to the AirDog, indicating exact movement trajectory.
It may look bulky now, but as soon as we start production it will be half the size and with multiple attachment opportunities (helmet, snow-googles, wrist, bike handle-bar, etc)
The drone performs inflight calculations to correct its flying pattern, and points the camera at the user wearing AirLeash.
Takeoff and landing is completely autonomous, freeing you to focus on your performance. It will land at the end of your track, or return to the takeoff spot when the battery begins to run low.An alarm on the AirLeash tells you when AirDog’s battery is too low to continue.
We spent countless caffeine-fueled hours, hacking intelligent flight code algorithms. The result is functionality that allows AirDog to follow you while you’re riding down the slope or flipping around on a halfpipe. You don’t have to worry about controlling the camera.
Strap it on, cue it up, and do epic things.
There are six Follow modes that you can configure and control with your AirLeash and smartphone app. Each one is a great choice and will deliver stunning results, regardless of your sport. You’ll probably want to use all six.
1. Auto-follow. Will work with almost any sports. In this mode AirDog will follow you repeating exactly your movement trajectory while maintaining its position in preset distance and altitude from you. It will follow you at speeds up to 40 mph.
2. Relative position follow. In this mode AirDog will maintain constant offset relative to magnetic north from the rider. For example, you can set it to keep a 10 meter distance at 4 meters high to the east from your position. Even when you change your direction, the AirDog will stay at the same preset angle from you. We suggest this mode for straight line wakeboard cable parks, surfing, and some other sports.
3. Follow track. This is the safest way to operate AirDog. Simply go for one lap with AirLeash and it will record your track. Then adjust AirDogs trajectory to your liking in smartphone app. AirDog will repeatedly fly over the exact set trajectory and the camera will be continually adjusted to aim at the rider.This is the most creative mode where you can become a true director of your movie. Adjust AirDog’s trajectory to avoid obstacles like buildings or trees. You can even make it to shoot you from different angle on different spots/kickers in the track. It might sound complicated, but its a simple few tap process in AirDog smartphone app.
4. Hover and Aim. The Hover and Aim setting allows AirDog to stay in one position above the ground, but constantly directing the camera at the AirLeash. This setting is perfect for tight places such as smaller skateparks, narrow forest trails, or for activities such as bungee jumping or base jumping, where clearance from equipment is important.
5. Circle. In this setting, AirDog makes circular rotations on a set radius and altitude, keeping the camera aimed at the AirLeash. This for slow speed or static shots to show impressive view around you.
6. Look down. The most simple mode but can produce very stunning results. Simply “walk” your AirDog above a ramp or kicker where you are about to throw some epic tricks and with push of a button it will freeze its position and aim camera straight down. Now make sure you don’t go too high.
Not satisfied with all these amazing options? No worries.
We’ll always be adding new flight modes through firmware and app updates. We depend on user feedback to continually develop Airdog into something that’s jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring.
The AirDog is designed to go farther and higher than you thought possible. If you’ve ever wanted to shoot an edgy music video from off a cliff, the AirDog is your solution. If you’re shooting an indie movie, and want some clutch aerial shots for the car chase scene, the AirDog is happy to oblige.
Video producers take note! The following detailed map shows you all the places you can and cannot fly a drone.
Video drones are awesome. From shooting incredible nature footage to superhero spoofs, drones can create some spectacular videos. So it’s no surprise that the market is flooded with new drone models coming out. As video drones get cheaper we can expect to see more and more flying through the skies.
However, concerns surrounding drone safety have begun to find their way into pop culture. For example, a runner at the Geraldton Endure Batavia triathlon in western Australia received injuries after allegedly being struck with a drone. In Ohio a man faces felony charges after refusing to down his drone so a medical helicopter could land. Even the name “drone” implies scary robot overlords or unmanned death planes. With all the negative press surrounding drones, it’s no surprise that there has been stricter regulations in regard to drone piloting.
As of June 21, 2014 national parks have been designated “no drone” zones along with airspace surrounding airports. 11 states have already passed drone regulatory legislation with many more to come, so figuring out where you can and cannot fly a drone can be really quite confusing.
Luckily for us the good people at The Verge have created an interactive showing us where drones are prohibited. This map only takes into account “no fly zones” surrounding national parks, military bases, and airports. Before you fly a drone for your next big project you need to make sure your state allows for commercial drone use.
After putting money behind the push for revamped commercial drone laws, Hollywood is officially petitioning the Federal Aviation Administration to let filmmakers fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) before final rules are put in place. Seven aerial production companies have requested an exemption from flight regulations, pilot licensing requirements, and airworthiness certification rules, none of which have been finalized. FAA rules allow the agency to grant exemptions for “narrowly-defined, controlled, low-risk situations,” and film and video companies hope that includes using low-cost drones for shots that would otherwise require a helicopter.
“Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) offer the motion picture and television industry an innovative and safer option for filming,” says Neil Fried of the MPAA, which facilitated the petition. “This new tool for storytellers will allow for creative and exciting aerial shots, and is the latest in a myriad of new technologies being used by our industry to further enhance the viewer experience.” In order to actually get the exemptions, however, the companies must prove that their plan would benefit the public good, and that it would not create unsafe conditions. If the FAA approves those exemptions, it will still need to approve individual operations.
Currently, public-sector groups like police, fire departments, or government agencies can obtain exemptions to operate UAVs. According to an FAA release, agricultural groups, power line and pipeline inspectors, and oil and gas flare inspectors have also approached the agency about exemptions and are considering their own petitions. Small drones are already common video tools, but they hover in uncertain legal territory. Private hobbyists are generally allowed to fly them under 400 feet outside populated areas, but the FAA hasn’t created robust regulations for for-profit flights, though Congress has ordered it to do so by 2015. Until then, commercial drone flight is officially banned, with a court case that could legalize it stuck in appeals. In late May, a real estate photographer who uses UAVs to shoot houses received a notice from the FAA advising him that there was no legal framework for his business.
If this exemption is granted, it’s extremely unlikely you’d see Hollywood drones filming a busy street scene in Manhattan, but they could be used as cheaper and arguably safer alternatives to traditional aerial photography on controlled sets. While there’s no timeline for when the FAA will consider a petition, it faces mounting pressure to make commercial UAV flight easier — alongside the film industry, Amazon is reportedly pushing for a way to fly its delivery drones to customers. A number of news media companies, including The New York Times Company and the Associated Press, also oppose the current ban on First Amendment grounds.