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
April 25
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store


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
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024
Dust off the boots and get ready to holler, because Boots In The Park making its way to back to Santa Clarita, y’all. 
Friday, Apr 19, 2024
Visit Vasquez Rock Natural Area and Nature Center for a Day at The Rocks, a family fun event and tribal celebration of the Village of Mapipinga. A Day at The Rocks will be held Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024
The Santa Clarita Valley Concert Band will perform a "Starry Might" concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday May 4. The concert, under the direction of Tim Durand, will be held at the Canyon Theatre Guild, 24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.
Monday, Apr 15, 2024
The Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival is expanding its 2024 Summer Season to include a weekend of performances at the MAIN in July by members of this summer’s youth Shakespeare Camp.
Friday, Apr 12, 2024
Take a magic carpet ride through the enchanting countries of the Middle East to experience an eclectic combination of music and dance from Egypt, Israel, Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Emirates and more. Desert Dreams, An Evening of Dance and Music will appear on stage at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall Thursday, May 2 at 8 p.m.
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond testified today in the Senate Education Committee about the need for results-proven training for all teachers of reading and math.
State Superintendent Makes Historic Push for Results-Proven Training in Literacy, Math as Sponsor of SB 1115
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
Ocean Water Warning for April 24
Dust off the boots and get ready to holler, because Boots In The Park making its way to back to Santa Clarita, y’all. 
May 10: Boots In the Park Returns to Santa Clarita
State Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) and Supervisor Kathryn Barger honor the memory of those lost 109 years ago in Armenian Genocide. 
Barger, Wilk Recognize Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
The Salvation Army Santa Clarita Valley Corps is excited to announce the inaugural Donut Day event.
June 7: Salvation Army SCV Announces Inaugural Donut Day Event
The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation has approved $370,000 in funding to support the Vet@ThePark program operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control.
LAC Animal Care Foundation Provides $370K Grant to Support Vet@ThePark
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging Californians to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27.
CDPH Urges Californians to Support Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion, introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath, proclaiming May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Los Angeles County.
Supes Proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Month
The Grammy-award winning rock ‘n’ roll group Blues Traveler will take the stage of the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. May 9. 
May 9: Blues Traveler to Perform at PAC
1962 - SCV residents vote to connect to State Water Project, creating Castaic Lake Water Agency (now part of SCV Water) [story]
Castaic Lake
Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement in support of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer’s presentation of a $45.4 billion budget for the forthcoming 2024-25 fiscal year.
Kathryn Barger | Statement in Support of $45.4B County Budget
In a celebration held Tuesday, April 23 at the Port of Barcelona, award-winning actress and performer Hannah Waddingham officially welcomed the newest and most innovative Princess Cruises ship, Sun Princess, serving as godmother during a star-studded naming ceremony.
Hannah Waddingham Officially Christens Sun Princess
Six comprehensive high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District which includes Canyon, Golden Valley, Hart, Saugus, Valencia and West Ranch have been ranked among the top public high schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Hart District High Schools Recognized Best in Nation
College of the Canyons will offer four summer sessions running from June 3 through Aug. 17, giving students a variety of options in both class format and scheduling designed to help them achieve their educational goals, from launching a new career to transferring to a four-year university.
COC Offers Four Summer Sessions for Flexible Learning Options
California State Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced his measure to combat illegal dumping, by increasing penalties and closing a loophole which has enabled the problem for years, was approved in the Senate Public Safety Committee.
Wilk’s Illegal Dumping Bill Approved by Committee
Super Jazz at the Ranch, a daylong jazz festival hosted by West Ranch High School, is happening Saturday, May 18. Music will fill the air as performers from throughout the region showcase their talents.
May 18: Super Jazz Festival at West Ranch High School
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has presented The Healthy Homework Act (AB 2999) to the Assembly Education Committee.
Schiavo Presents Healthy Homework Act to Prioritize Mental, Physical Health
The city of Santa Clarita has notified the public that the playground at West Creek Park, 24247 Village Circle Drive, Valencia, CA 91354, is currently closed for repairs on the rubberized surface.
West Creek Park Playground Closed for Repairs
The Santa Clarita Valley Media Collaborative invites local creatives, media industry professionals, students, parents, teachers and others to celebrate the next generation of media makers participating in the inaugural NextGen MediaMakers Festival on Saturday, May 18 from 2-5 p.m. at the Canyon Country Community Center.
May 18: NextGen MediaMakers Festival Invites Creatives, Students, Experts to Celebrate Media
1986 - COC board votes to allow Argentine cliff swallows to nest forever on sides of buildings [story]
swallows
As Volunteer Appreciation Week approaches, the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to all its dedicated volunteers who tirelessly contribute to DACC's mission of advancing the well-being of animals and people in the County.
DACC Pays Recognition to Volunteers
The Canyon Country Farmers Market will be celebrating their two-year anniversary Wednesday, April 24.
April 24: Canyon Country Farmer’s Market Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary
The Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Auxiliary presented a $35,000 check Monday to the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation for the foundation’s Patient Tower Capital Campaign.
Henry Mayo Auxiliary Fulfills $600K Patient Tower Pledge
SCVNews.com