The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Monday that it plans to possibly let seven movie and TV companies use drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), for filming.
The companies would receive regulatory exemptions from the government agency to fly the vehicles, according to CNET. If these studios receive approval, they will be some of the first commercial companies to receive permission from the FAA to fly drones.
"If the exemption requests are granted, there could be tangible economic benefits as the agency begins to address the demand for commercial UAS operations," the FAA wrote in a statement. "However, all the associated safety issues must be carefully considered to make sure any hazards are appropriately mitigated. The petitioner must still obtain approval from the FAA."
The agency said that in order to receive the exemptions, the companies have to show that they can operate the drones without impacting safety, Daily Digest News reported.
"They would also need to show why granting the exemption would be in the public interest," the FAA said.
Drones have raised concerns about privacy with their ability to gather information on unsuspecting people over different areas. The vehicles have also been linked to accidents, such as the near-miss between a drone and an U.S. Airways flight while it was landing in Florida last month, CNET reported.
Despite these issues, the technology has beneficial uses, such as collecting data for earth scientists and stalking prey for hunters. The vehicles now might be used to capture footage for movies and TV shows.
"Unmanned aircraft systems offer the motion picture and television industry an innovative and safer option for filming," said Neil Fried, senior vice president of Government and Regulatory Affairs for the Motion Picture Association of America. "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."
The movie and TV studios considered for permission to use drones include Flying-Cam, Pictorvision, Aerial MOB, Astraeus Aerial, HeliVideo Productions, Vortex Aerial, and Snaproll Media.
Drone exemptions are usually available for government operational missions that need to fly a drone in civil airspace, such as law enforcement, search and rescue, firefighting, and other public entities, Daily Digest News reported.
"We welcome the FAA's leadership and support their guidance to safely authorize the use of UAS's for the motion picture and television industry," Fried said.
