Does anyone have any insight on the ways to make the FAA regulations "legal" for commercial filming. I have heard that if you charge for the editing of the video you record and not the video itself, that is one loophole. Any ideas?
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Agreed, Gary. But when it comes to today's/current standing laws ...
Also and as far as I know, besides a few empty cease and desist threats, the FAA hasn't dared to attempt a legal repeat of its lost Pirker shenanigan since, although there are no shortages of potential targets. Quite telling ...
Indeed.
And while it continues to huff and puff, the FAA knows that. Along with just about any commercial aerial film company, and drone vendors like 3DR, who keep operating just fine. Liability insurance is also available.
Although it make take some time, the recently announced lawsuits against the FAA (Amazon, 3DR et al.) will hopefully re-inforce this.
A rare if not unique example of "educated" press who is getting it right is Motherboard, e.g. this article.
You should all do well to remember that none of the cases are closed. the interpretation of HR 658 will come into being soon as well and that's not a good thing.
The FAA has done a great publicity campaign to make the public think that it can regulate your flying machines. The uneducated press has done a great job helping the FAA spread their nonsense.
How will Amazon Prime get around these regulations? I heard they had future plans to use drones to deliver packages instead of shipping them through the mail. I would consider that a commercial use. Maybe they won't be able to do that now?
Amazon Prime is starting its service in India. It will not be coming to the USA for years.
The FAA would look at the final product as a commercial use. Even if you don't charge you are doing it for a commercial use. This is why they went after Texas EquuSearch for using RC airplane for search and rescue. They didn't charge anything and everyone was a volunteer. The FAA has two classifications, hobby and non hobby. Only hobby use is allowed for now. The only thing the loophole is good for is you can say to yourself "I didn't break FAA policy."