But Media Organizations Must Contact The Agency Prior To Flight

The FAA has issued a statement indicating that news media wishing to use drones to cover the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline can do so, if they seek advance permission from the agency.

A TFR put in place over the site where the protests are being held restricted aircraft in the area to those supporting law enforcement. However, UAS Magazine reports that the agency issued a statement saying media organizations can get permission to fly.

FAA spokesman Les Dorr said there is a "cutout in the TFR to allow media flights. If media want to fly in an area other than the cutout, they have to contact our HQ Communications Office and we’ll coordinate with the Air Traffic Organization.”

Dorr said that as of Wednesday, there had been no media requests for flights in the area.

Dorr said the TFR was initiated at the request of the state after Morton County Sheriff's department pilots said that a drone "came after" their aircraft which was monitoring the protests in October.

The TFR is set to expire on Monday.

(Image provided by the Morton County Sheriff's Department)

FMI: www.faa.gov