The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has allowed six entertainment companies to use drones to shoot scenes for various television and movie projects, BBC reported.
The six companies are Astraeus Aerial, Aerial MOB, HeliVideo Productions, Pictorvision Inc., RC Pro Productions Consulting and Snaproll Media. The titles or the nature of the scenes for the companies' projects were not disclosed.
The entertainment studios submitted their requests through the Motion Picture Association of America.
According to the FAA, the firms submitted applications stating the operators of the drones will keep private pilot certificates with them at all times and make sure the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) remain in sight while being used.
In addition, the UAS will only be flown within the perimeter of the set.
"The applicants submitted UAS flight manuals with detailed safety procedures that were a key factor in our approval of their requests," administrator Michael Huerta said in a press release from the FAA.
"We are thoroughly satisfied these operations will not pose a hazard to other aircraft or to people and property on the ground," he added.
Aside from the guidelines set by the FAA, the companies are prohibited from operating the drones at night and the UAS must undergo inspection procedures before they are used. In addition, the drones are not allowed to exceed 400 feet and should not fly faster than 57 mph, according to Fox News.
For US Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx, the FAA's decision to approve the request of the six companies indicates a positive development in the field of commercial drones.
"Today's announcement is a significant milestone in broadening commercial UAS use while ensuring we maintain our world-class safety record in all forms of flight," Foxx said.
"These companies are blazing a trail that others are already following, offering the promise of new advances in agriculture and utility safety and maintenance," he added.
Apart from the application of from the six companies, the FAA is also in the process of reviewing the requests from 40 commercial companies regarding the use of drones.
