MPAA welcomes the FAA’s final rules for the commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced final regulations for the commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) today. The MPAA submitted comments during the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Process, and played an integral role when the FAA granted the motion picture and television industry the first-ever commercial approval to use sUAS for filming on domestic film and TV productions nearly two years ago. The following is a statement from MPAA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd:

“The FAA final rules will further enable the film and television industry to incorporate this innovative technology into great storytelling, while expanding opportunities for American workers and small businesses in the creative economy. It is also very gratifying for our industry that filmmakers were able to pave a path for the broader commercial use of sUAS. We are very pleased with the announced final rules and thank the FAA for their dedication and work throughout this entire process.”

After receiving the FAA’s approval, “The Mentalist” became the first domestic production to utilize sUAS in December, 2014. Other major productions such as Disney’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and HBO’s “The Leftovers” have also shot footage in the U.S. with sUAS.

About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

# # #

For more information, contact:

MPAA Washington, D.C.
Chris Ortman
(202) 293-1966
Chris_Ortman@motionpictures.org