FAA considers requests from 7 companies to use drones to film movies

WASHINGTON – Aviation safety regulators say they are considering giving permission to seven movie and television filming companies to use unmanned aircraft for aerial photography, a potentially significant step that could lead to greater relaxation of the government’s ban on commercial use of drones.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Monday that agency officials have been working with The Motion Picture Association of America on the request.

To receive the exemptions, the companies must show their drone operations won’t harm safety, and would be in the public interest.

The FAA has been under pressure from Congress and industry to allow commercial drone flights that in many cases are too dirty, dull, or dangerous for manned aircraft. Drones also are often less expensive to operate.