61 Regs, Regs, and More FAA Regs

Production companies get sUAS exemptions, FAA wants N-numbers for drones, new chip offers possibility of smarter UAS controllers, Google wants to test Internet service, and DHL will provide package delivery. Guest Guest Tim Trott has a broadcast production background, but today at Tim Trott Productions, he creates video for a range of services, including real estate tours, industrial videos, training DVD’s, commercials, web and conference/trade show videos, and industrial productions. Southern Helicam is the video production company owned and operated by Tim Trott Productions , with offices in central and northwest Florida. See Video Does it Better for Tim’s take on online video marketing, and the accompanying YouTube page. Also Tim’s posts that we talked about: Section 333: The Crack In The Wall… and Here Come The Section 333 Exemption Petitions which invites readers to answer some timely and relevant questions about licensing. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimTrott . News FAA Approves Exemption Allowing Drones to Fly on Movie Sets The FAA gave permission for six production companies to use sUAS for filming movies and television commercials. Under the exemptions, the aircraft must be flown under 400 feet, in line of sight, on closed sets, and with a certified pilot. Google Wants Internet Broadcasting Drones, Plans To Run Tests In New Mexico Google purchased electric UAV maker Titan Aerospace earlier this year, as part of their “Internet in the sky” strategy. Now Google has filed an application with the U.S. FCC to test their technology at a site south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The application mentions the Titan acquisition, but what they want to test is redacted. DHL testing drone for delivering parcels to island off coast of Germany Trials are set to begin of “parcelcopter” deliveries to the island of Juist, 12 km off the north coast of Germany. The German transport ministry and air traffic control authority have given DHL permission to test the drone for 15 – 30 minute flights through a restricted flight area. Intel and 3D Robotics Working to Make Smarter Drones Earlier this year, Intel announced the $50 Edison computer on a chip. It runs Linux, has 1GB of ram, a 500Mhz dual core processor, with Bluetooth, and WiFi. Reportedly, 3D Robotics is looking to bring Edison to their existing Pixhawk autopilot system. FAA Issues Requirement for All UAS to Show Aircraft Registration Number The FAA has decided that commercial UAS (those operating under a COA) must carry registration numbers, just like manned aircraft. These “N-numbers” must be “registered and marked prior to COA application,” according to an email sent by the FAA to the industry. Addendum: Tim notes that all you need to get an N number is $20. See the FAA Forming an N-Number page . FAA warning: Keep your drones grounded during UN summit This week the United Nations Climate Summit was held at the organization’s headquarters in New York. As with other kinds of events, the FAA issued a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) over parts of New Jersey and New York. That’s not unusual. But what was unusual was that for the first time, the FAA made it a point to specifically mention that the TFR also applied to drone operators. 3D Pocketcopter – the flying camera This small, tubular-shaped copter features two counter-rotating rotors, a downward-facing camera for stills or video, and control by smartphone via WiFi. The Indiegogo project is closed, after raising €113,927 of a €15,000 goal. Dutch Boy Turns Dead Pet Rat Into Flying Tri-Copter When Ratjetoe the pet rat died, he was stuffed. Now he lives on as a tri-copter. @DroneMama says, “OK, that’s gross.” Video of the Week SPARKED: A Live Interaction Between Humans and Quadcopters Cirque du Soleil has developed a short film featuring 10 quadcopters in a flying dance performance. SPARKED: Behind the Technology gives you a peek at how the video was produced.