Have Hired Firm To Present Their Case As Regulations Are Crafted

A photojournalists group has hired a lobbying firm to present its case for the use of UAVs for news gathering to the FAA as the agency crafts new regulations for the small aircraft.

The National Press Photographers Association has retained the services of two former House staffers who now work for the law firm Holland & Knight. The Hill reports that the pair will work pro bono for the association.

The association filed comments with the FAA in July saying news organizations have "many beneficial uses" for the small aircraft. "Visual journalists rely on the latest available technology, including aerial photography, in their efforts to inform the public," the association said in the comments. "The evolution, ease of use, comparative safety, and relative affordability of high quality [small unmanned aerial systems] presents an enormous opportunity for visual journalists to bring a better understanding of important news and information to the public while minimizing risk to both the journalists themselves and the public at large."

It has been speculated that the FAA will release draft regulations by the end of the year. A recent Wall Street Journal article indicated that the proposed rules may require commercial UAV operators to hold a private pilot certificate and have very strict conditions for their use.

(Image from file)

FMI: https://nppa.org, www.faa.gov