7 Production companies have been approved to fly so far. Take a look at what is required to fly a camera commercially in the US....I don't qualify for sure.
http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/media/Aerial_MOB_LLC-11066.pdf

That's not an approval of a commercial permit, that's an exemption to a regulation (which doesn't exist, BTW) that effectively bans anyone else and any other equipment from flying. And their 'requirements' are specifically targeted to put most aerial cinematography companies out of business. Totally bad response from the FAA in terms of safety, access, oversight, you name it.

All multirotor pilots and film makers are allowed to exercise their rights to freely film with radio control model aircraft until a law is passed to the contrary.

I've been kept up to date by my UPM on the FAA regulations on this issue and I don't have any interest in debating laws vs regulations etc., but this link (http://www.faa.gov/uas/) to the current regulation would seem to contradict what you guys are suggesting. It has been made clear within the CA film industry that for our purposes, which is inarguably commercial, we can't use drones (except with now approved companies).

In Federal court the FAA was found to have overstepped its authority in fining a VA man for filming commercially at a University Campus, "the court found that the FAA doesn’t have any regulations that govern model aircraft flights or those that classify model aircraft as an "unmanned aircraft." In other words, the line between drone and toy hasn't been drawn. - See more at: http://www.dailytech.com/Court+Rules+that+FAA+Cannot+Ban+Commercial+Drones+Dismisses+10000+Fine+for+Drone+User/article34468.htm#sthash.BdLynBlt.dpuf

so the regulation linked to actually doesn't apply, according to the Justice system anyway. FWIW, there's supposed to be new rules coming out that will hopefully allow our business to continue, and maybe even thrive.

I would suggest anyone interested in UAV operations take a close read on the requirements placed on the "approved" operators. This should give us some insight into the rules they could be pushing out on the rest of us.

Here's a CBS story about the ruling
FAA approves drone use for TV and movie production - Videos - CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/faa-approves-drone-use-for-tv-and-movie-production/)

7 Production companies have been approved to fly so far. Take a look at what is required to fly a camera commercially in the US....I don't qualify for sure.
http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/media/Aerial_MOB_LLC-11066.pdf

Unbelievable. Must have a private pilot certificate and current 3rd class medical for operation of something that is so limited in operation.

Basically, they are imposing the limits of model aircraft operation, with the pilot certification for flying real aircraft.

Sigh.

-gb-