header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
January 22
1839 - Gov. Juan B. Alvarado gives most of SCV to Mexican Army Lt. Antonio del Valle. [story]
Diseno map


The following includes the latest information on the use of UAS (drones), including the most recent list of FAA-exempted UAS operators.
In order for a production to be considered for a permit involving a UAS, the following documentation is required:

1. Proof that the production is using a UAS operator that has received an FAA exemption, preferably a copy of the operator’s Certificate of Authorization (COA).

See below for the current list of aerial production companies allowed to operate UAS for filming in the United States.  This list is subject to change.

NOTE: UAS operators had originally been required to apply for and receive a COA for each particular block of airspace (location), but the FAA has recently streamlined their process, and now exempted operators are being granted Blanket COAs for flights at or below 200 feet, as long as they’re not flying in the vicinity of airports or in other restricted airspace.

 

2. A copy of the operator’s written Plan of Activities (POA).

 

3. Proof of insurance coverage as follows:

 

Evidence of coverage for the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) must be provided by the UAS operators (only those granted FAA exemptions).
Each UAS operating entity must submit proof of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) insurance with a limit of at least $2,000,000. The certificate of insurance must include a separate policy endorsement showing proof of UAS coverage. A second (separate) endorsement must be submitted naming the State of California, its officers, agents and employees as Additional Insured. NOTE: Each of these two endorsements require a separate attachment to the certificate of insurance.

 

 IMPORTANT NOTES
  • Please be advised that at this time, CALTRANS is not issuing any encroachment permits for UAS filming (on Caltrans properties) until an official Caltrans policy is drafted and approved.
  • State Parks is evaluating requests for the use of UAS on a case-by-case basis.
  • Other state agency partners may have their own requirements regarding the use of UAS on their properties.  Please check with all relevant agencies or with the CFC before submitting your permit applications.
  • UAS operators must have all pertinent documentation on set with them at all times.  This includes their Certificate of Authorization (COA), Plan of Activities (POA), pilot certificate and third-class medical certificate.
  • The use of a UAS is permitted only when all qualifications have been met, all necessary approvals have been obtained, and use of a UAS is noted on the production’s permit.  If a production is found to be operating a UAS without the proper permit, an FAA Administrator, Fire Safety Officer or law enforcement official may immediately suspend the UAS activities and/or the production may be subject to a fine.
  • The use of a UAS as a PROP is subject to the same regulations as those used for filming.
  • The FAA does not regulate the use of UAS indoors (their jurisdiction covers U.S. airspace, not under the roofs of private structures). Be advised that approval for the use of UAS in a stage or building may fall under the authority of other jurisdictions. Also note that whether it’s exterior or interior filming, the CFC will not approve permits when UAS are involved, unless they are flown by FAA-exempted operators.
  • The City of Los Angeles is currently working on a local ordinance regarding the use of UAS, and the LAPD is developing their own municipal code pertaining to the use of UAS.

The following are aerial production companies granted FAA exemptions to operate unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for commercial filming. As more companies are applying for exemptions each day, some may be grated exemptions that do not yet appear on this list. Therefore, if you would like to retain a UAS operator not listed below, please check with the CFC, so we may verify the company’s exemption status.

 

AERIAL MOB, LLC

619-787-0600

Location: San Diego,CA

Contact: Tony Carmean

tony@aerialmob.com

http://aerialmob.com

 

PICTORVISION, INC.

818-785-9282

Location: Van Nuys, CA

Contact: Matt Curran

mcurran@pictorvision.com

http://www.pictorvision.com

ASTRAEUS AERIAL

310-907-9205, ext.703

Location: Van Nuys, CA

Contact: Hal Winer

info@astraeusaerial.com

http://www.astraeusaerial.com

 

SNAPROLL MEDIA, LLC

615-416-3125

Location: Franklin, TN

Contact: Preston Ryon

preston@snaprollmedia.com

http://snaprollmedia.com

FLYING-CAM

310-581-9276

Location: Santa Monica, CA

Contact: Haik Gazarian

haikg@mac.com

http://flying-cam.com

TEAM5 AERIAL SYSTEMS

818-925-1500

Location: Van Nuy, CA

Contact: Kevin LaRosa, Jr.

contact@team5.rentals

http://www.team5.rentals/

HeliVideo PRODUCTIONS, LLC

512-917-0201

Location: Austin,TX

Contact: Eric Austin

eric@helivideo.com

http://www.helivideo.com

VORTEX AERIAL (RC Pro Production Consulting)

714-916-3614

Location: Corona, CA

Contact: Chris Schuster

vortex.aerial@live.com

http://www.vortexaerial.com

PICTURE FACTORY, INC.

715-386-0777

Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Metro Area, MN

Contacts: Jillian Nodland/Craig Peterschmidt

http://www.picture-factory.com

 

The following are 15 of the most pertinent TERMS & CONDITIONS (to those on-set) required of (FAA-exempted) UAS operators.
  1. The UAS must weigh less than 55 pounds, including energy     source(s) and equipment.
  2. The UAS may not be flown at a speed exceeding a ground speed of 50 knots.
  3. Flights must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL).
  4. The UAS must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the pilot in command at all times.
  5. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO).
  6. The pilot must possess at least a private pilot certificate and at least a current third-class medical certificate.
  7. The UAS may not be operated directly over any person, except authorized and consenting production personnel, below an altitude that is hazardous to persons or property on the surface in the event of a UAS failure or emergency.
  8. Regarding the distance from participating persons, the operator’s manual has safety mitigations for authorized and consenting production personnel.  At all times, those persons must be essential to the closed-set film operations.  Because these procedures are specific to participating persons, no further Flight Standards District Office or Aviation Safety Inspector approval is necessary for reductions to the distances specified in the petitioner’s manuals.
  9. Regarding distance from non-participating persons, the operator must ensure that no persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if it would not adversely affect safety and the FAA Administrator has approved it. For example, an equivalent level of safety may be determined by an aviation safety inspector’s evaluation of the filming production area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, safety barriers, etc. Such barriers may protect non-participating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an accident.
  10. The operator must obtain an Air Traffic Organization issued Certificate of Waiver or Authorization prior to conducting any operations under this grant of exemption.  This Certificate of Authorization will also require the operator to request a Notice to Airman not more than 72 hours in advance, but not less than 48 hours prior to the operation.
  11. At least three days before scheduled filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards District Office with jurisdiction over the area of proposed filming. The 3-day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the Flight Standards District Office. The plan of activities must include at least the following:
  • Dates and times for all flights.
  • Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS filming production conducted under this grant of exemption.
  • Name and phone number of the person responsible for the on-scene operation of the UAS.
  • Make, model and serial or N-number of UAS to be used
  • Name and certificate number of UAS pilots involved in the filming production event.
  • A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event; the list of those who gave permission must be made available to the inspector upon request.
  • Signature of exemption-holder or representative.
  • A description of the flight activity, including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, county and/or state over which filming will be conducted and the altitudes essential to accomplish the operation.

12. UAS operations may not be conducted at night.

 

13. The UAS cannot be operated by the pilot from any moving device or

vehicle.

 

14. The UAS may not operate in Class B, C, or D airspace

without written approval from the FAA. The UAS may not operate within 5 nautical miles of the geographic center of a non-towered airport as denoted on a current FAA-published aeronautical chart unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained, and the operation is conducted in accordance with a Notice to Airman as required by the operator’s Certificate of Authorization. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the Administrator upon request.

 

15. The documents required under 14 CFR § 91.9 and § 91.203 must be
available to the pilot at the ground control station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.
For a full list of Terms & Conditions and to view the FAA’s exemption grants, go to: http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/
For more information on the FAA and UAS, go to:
Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

3 Comments

  1. macroview says:

    “The pilot must possess at least a private pilot certificate and at least a current third-class medical certificate.”

    IDIOTIC.

    THIS IS AN UNMANNED MULTI-ROTOR HELICOPTER CARRYING A VIDEO CAMERA FOR GOSH SAKES!

  2. msc545 says:

    Well, hell, I guess we should be glad they didn’t require an instrument rating. I am certain that the private pilot certificate will be very useful. These people are idiots.

    • macroview says:

      Inmates running the asylum.

      Sadly they only make it more likely for inexperienced drone operators to do guerrilla work where there might be a greater chance of someone getting hurt. Why not make it mandatory to take some basic online training, take an online test, and sign a doc stating you accept responsibility? At least that could impact the thousands of Phantom owners instead of a couple dozen high-end operators (who already know the capabilities and responsibilities of their rigs that are worth tens of thousands of dollars, and whose careers depend on reliable, safe performance for their clients)?

Leave a Comment


ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LINKS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Friday, Jan 17, 2025
Fritz Coleman’s show "Unassisted Living," in Residency at the El Oortal Monroe Forum in North Hollywood, will be performed on Sunday, Jan. 26 t0 benefit the California Community Foundation Wildlife Recovery Fund with 100% of all profits raised donated to the fund.
Friday, Jan 17, 2025
The Canyon Theatre Guild opens the Broadway musical, "West Side Story" on Saturday, Jan. 18 on stage at the community theater in Old Town Newhall.
Thursday, Jan 16, 2025
Irit Specktor and the Studio K'tan Flamenco Dance Academy presents "Flamencommunity", a flamenco dance and music event, 8-9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at the MAIN, 24266 Main Street Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Monday, Jan 13, 2025
As part of SCVBandscast, Raised on TV will play at The Main in Newhall on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan 10, 2025
Remember being a teenager, when the world felt both impossibly big and ridiculously small? “The Wolves” takes you back to that chaotic, cringey and wonderful time, but, this time, you can just sit back and laugh.
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1839 - Gov. Juan B. Alvarado gives most of SCV to Mexican Army Lt. Antonio del Valle. [story]
Diseno map
The leaders of federal and local law enforcement agencies have joined together to create the Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force to investigate and prosecute fire-related crimes as Los Angeles County recovers from devastating wildfires.
Officials Form Task Force to Combat Crimes Related to Los Angeles-Area Wildfires
Spectrum has announced a donation of $2,500 to Finally Family Homes through the company’s employee-driven grants program that recognizes the value of community service, Spectrum Employee Community Grants.
Spectrum Presents $2,500 Grant to Finally Family Homes
The city of Santa Clarita hosted the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Unity Walk on Monday, Jan. 20 at 8 a.m. in Central Park in Saugus. The event attracted a crowd of several hundred from throughout the Santa Clarita Valley to listen to speeches and entertainment before walking through Central Park.
Santa Clarita Hosts MLK Day Unity Walk
Metro has a plan to make it easier to get around by expanding the Metro rail system to the Westside with the D (Purple) Line Subway Extension Project. This critical, highly anticipated new addition to Metro’s network will add seven new stations and a reliable, high-speed connection between downtown Los Angeles and the Westside.
Feb. 5: D Line Extension Project Lunch ‘n Learn Webinar
College of the Canyons has successfully completed the first year of its five-year Veterans Upward Bound grant program. This transformative initiative aims to provide comprehensive support services to eligible student veterans in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and parts of the San Fernando Valley.
COC Celebrates Successful First Year of Veterans Upward Bound Grant
The Master's University men's and women's swim teams met in the pool against Fresno Pacific University at Sunnyside Aquatic Center in Fresno Saturday afternoon, Jan. 18.
TMU Swim Teams Take to the Pool at Fresno Pacific
Caden Starr tied a career high with eight three-pointers to lead The Master's University men's basketball team to a 90-54 win over the Park-Gilbert Buccaneers Saturday, Jan. 18 in Chandler, Ariz.
TMU Bucks Buccaneers in Arizona
The Los Angeles County Joint Coordination Information Center has released the following information as of 11 a.m. on the Palisades and Eaton Fires. A total of 37,734 acres has been consumed in the two fires. More than 17,000 structures have been confirmed as destroyed or damaged.
Palisades, Eaton Fire Updates, 27 Dead, 15,798 Buildings Destroyed
The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office has released the list of four productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, Jan. 20 to Sunday, Jan. 26.
Jan. 20-26: Four Productions Filming in Santa Clarita
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley is collecting gift cards to assist club families impacted by the recent Los Angeles area fires.
Boys & Girls Club of SCV Collecting Gift Card Donations for Fire Relief
Too many turnovers turned costly for The Master's University women's basketball team in an 85-79 loss to the Park-Gilbert Buccaneers Saturday, Jan. 18 in Chandler, Ariz.
Lady Mustangs Buckled by Buccaneers
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) been reappointed by Speaker Robert Rivas to the Utilities & Energy Committee, Health Committee and continues as Chair of Military & Veteran Affairs Committee. She has also been newly appointed to the Banking and Finance Committee and the Budget Committee, including the budget subcommittee focused on health.
Schiavo Appointed to Five Assembly Committees
1914 - Signal newspaper owner-editor Scott Newhall born in San Francisco [story]
Scott Newhall
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has announced the appointment of Michael Gennaco as Special Prosecutor who is among the nation’s foremost experts in civil rights and police misconduct cases.
DA Hires Special Prosecutor for Police Misconduct Cases
In response to the ongoing challenges posed by the Palisades and Eaton Fires, the county of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control has mobilized its resources and partnerships to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals affected.
DACC Facilitates Adoption, Rescue Efforts in Response to Wildfires
The WiSH Education Foundation Wednesday Webinar series continues 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 with "College Admissions for Visual and Performing Arts Majors."
Feb. 12: WiSH Webinar on ‘College Admissions for Visual, Performing Arts Majors’
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, Jan. 21 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 21: SUSD Governing Board Regular Meeting
A Better World Running will host the Cupid Dash 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at West Creek Park 24247 Village Circle Drive, Valencia, CA 91354.
Feb. 16: Cupid Dash 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon
The Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs will resume normal operations at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall (1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California, 90015) on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Jan. 21: Normal Operations Resume at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is issuing a windblown dust and ash advisory following strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region through Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 p.m.
L.A. Public Health Windblown Dust, Ash Advisory
The Master's University men's basketball defense stepped up in the final moments of the game to get an 80-72 conference road win over Benedictine Mesa Thursday night, Jan. 16.
Defense Stepped Up in Mustangs Win over BenU
Three different players each scored 17 points and the team shot nearly 50 percent from the field as The Master's University women's basketball team defeated Benedictine Mesa 83-71 Thursday night, Jan. 16 in Mesa, Ariz.
TMU Women’s Hoops Gets Road Win over Redhawks
College of the Canyons men's basketball had four players reach double-digits but it wasn't enough to keep pace with No. 5 state-ranked Citrus College in a 111-77 road affair Wednesday night, Jan. 15.
Canyons Can’t Get Past No. 5 Citrus College
SCVNews.com