Cooley Helps Production Companies Secure FAA "Drone" Exemptions for Hollywood Films
Washington, DC – September 26, 2014 – Cooley represented seven film production companies in obtaining the first-ever exemptions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding its policy prohibiting the use of commercial small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAVs) within the continental United States.
On September 25, 2014, the FAA granted six film companies exemptions to use sUAVs, also known as drones, for closed set filming and movie production. The seventh exemption is pending and is expected to be issued shortly.
These exemptions will allow three-person teams to operate "quad copters," which are small unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 lbs. As a result of the exemptions, the production companies expect to see cost savings, as well as increased safety, on movie sets. Conventional manned aircraft, which carry not only a pilot, but also film crews and flammable fuel, can be more expensive and dangerous to operate because they must be flown to movie sets that may be located in congested areas. Operated remotely and within visual line of sight, the sUAV can maneuver in close proximity to actors and structures where larger conventional manned aircraft are unable to fly. In addition, sUAVs are lightweight, carried to the set, and battery powered.
The Cooley team advising the production companies includes partner Anne Swanson, of counsel Jonathan Hill, and associate Benjamin Berlin.
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