FAA to allow Hollywood to use drones, opening the door for legalized commercial drone use

The path to legalizing commercial drone operations could wind its way through Hollywood. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected today to make an announcement to "permit Hollywood filmmakers to operate drones on movie sets, according to current and former U.S. officials," Craig Whitlock reports for The Washington Post. (Associated Press photo by Jae C. Hong)

"Prior to this week, the FAA had granted permits to only two companies to fly drones—both in remote parts of Alaska under highly restrictive conditions," Whitlock writes. "The decision to allow several movie-making companies to use drones is the first time that businesses will be able to operate the aircraft in populated areas."

Film industry officials "have applied for permission to fly the drones not just in Hollywood but anywhere in the country as long as they meet certain safety conditions," Whitlock writes. "Flights would 'occur over private or controlled-access property,' and drones would stay at least 100 feet away from people not part of the production crews, according to the applications. Paperwork filed with the FAA also states that the camera-bearing drones would weigh less than 55 pounds. They would fly no faster than 57 mph and no higher than 400 feet to ensure that they do not interfere with other aircraft." (Read more)