DAVE ROSS

Hollywood wants in on the drone action

Jun 4, 2014, 9:06 AM | Updated: 2:38 pm

Except for law enforcement, firefighters, search and rescue, and a few others, the FAA has not officially granted permission to use drones higher than 400 feet. (AP Photo/File)

(AP Photo/File)

Except for law enforcement, firefighters, search and rescue, and a few others, the FAA has not officially granted permission to use drones higher than 400 feet.

But now, Hollywood wants in.

Seven film production companies are asking the FAA to approve the use of drones for film making.

But making the rules takes a while, so the regulators can find out how to handle incidents like what happened last year at the Great Bull Run in Dinwiddie, Virginia.

A drone being used to capture video there crashed after a battery failed, and sent the drone careening into the crowd.

There was also a much more serious incident last month in Tallahassee, when a drone nearly collided with a U.S. Airways jet.

But to hear Jim Williams, the FAA official in charge of drone regulations, they are going to bend over backwards to accommodate filmmakers. “If these certification rules don’t work for you – propose your own. We’ll look at them, work with you, we’ll figure out a way to approve that aircraft.”

Williams was speaking at a conference of drone of manufacturers and sounded down right deferential.

“We feel your pain, we want to make this move forward. That’s why we’re trying to do what we can, and the filming industry is leading the way.”

Among the Hollywood producers that want to use drones is Jerry Bruckheimer, who confirmed a sequel to “Top Gun” with Tom Cruise is in the works. It’s actually about drones and whether they can replace fighter pilots.

My guess is that Tom ends up using them for target practice.

And if the FAA does open the skies to these things, which may make a lot of noise flying through your neighborhood, there may be a lot of target practice going on.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

30 days ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

1 month ago

Hollywood wants in on the drone action