PB Film

Production companies planning commercial filming with a Drone/UAS will need to follow the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Small UAS CFR Part 107 Rule. Our office has created a standardized procedure that incorporates this rule into our One-Stop Permitting Process. The length of time to process your application will depend on the complexity of the request. However, normal permit request processing time is a minimum of three business days.

Following the Part 107 Rule, our office will require the following:
Production Company/UAS Operator is only permitted to fly a drone/UAS that weighs less than 55 pounds.The drone/UAS must also be registered. 

Information on the type of drone/UAS that will be used, including the drone/UAS commercial registration certificate, must be provided to our office.

Production Company/UAS Operator must obtain the FAA's Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) approval in advance of the filming for operations/flying in Class B, C, D and E airspace at or below 400 ft.

A copy of the approval must be provided to our office.

Production Company/UAS Operator is only permitted to fly during daylight or twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time). The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground, and higher if your drone/UAS remains within 400 feet of a structure. The maximum speed is 100mph (87 knots).

To operate the controls of a small UAS under Part 107, production company is required to have a remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating/certificate, or be under the direct supervision of a person who holds such a certificate. 

A copy of the remote pilot airman certificate must be provided to our office. 

Production Company/UAS Operator is responsible for ensuring a drone/UAS is safe before flying, but the FAA does not require small UAS to comply with current agency airworthiness standards or obtain aircraft certification. Instead, the remote pilot will simply have to perform a preflight visual and operational check of the small UAS to ensure that safety-pertinent systems are functioning properly. This includes checking the communications link between the control station and the drone/UAS. 

For more information on how to become a small UAS pilot, please visit the FAA's website.