Press Release
For Immediate Release
FAA GRANTS COMMERCIAL DRONE LICENSE TO PALM SPRINGS AREA BUSINESS
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Palm Springs, Calif., Oct 26, 2015 – Today, the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a commercial license to Palm Springs based Kaminsky Productions, a Film Alliance listed company. Ethan Kaminsky, president and CEO of Kaminsky Productions, petitioned the FAA on behalf of Kaminsky Productions. Kaminsky requested to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial cinematography, including search and rescue operations. In a letter received by Kaminsky from the FAA, John S. Duncan, Director Flight Standards, wrote, “I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest.” The letter also included a host of conditions and limitations related to public safety. Kaminsky Productions, named as the operator of the exemption status, is licensed to perform aerial data collection to include photography, video (cinematography), infrared, precision surveying, or any other gathering of data by instruments aboard the drone.
“Just two months ago, the Alliance was tasked with helping to locate an FAA licensed drone operator for a Discovery Channel project that was on the brink of cancelling due to not having a licensed drone operator,” said Levi Vincent, Executive Director of the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance. “They were able to find someone from outside our region and save the production, but it would have been nice to hire locally. Now that we have a fully licensed local drone operator, we are hopeful it will draw more productions to the valley; something our region will benefit from.”
According to the FAA website, the FAA cannot authorize an aircraft operation in the National Airspace without a certified pilot in command of the aircraft. Exemptions are only granted to a pilot who holds a pilot’s certificate (license) and a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S driver’s license. As of October 20, 2015, the FAA has only granted 1,937 UAS petitions nationwide.
About the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance & Film Office
Recognized as the official Film Office of the Greater Palm Springs region, the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance and Film Office (www.filmpalmsprings.com) is the Coachella Valley’s economic development resource dedicated to grow and expand the motion picture and entertainment industries. The Alliance encompasses many activities, such as attracting and promoting film and television productions, facilitating access to filming locations, connecting producers with local crew and vendors, and acts as liaison between industry and government entities; all while marketing the greater Palm Springs area as a world-class production region in the United States. The Alliance works with all local governments, including city, county, state and tribal entities.
About Kaminsky Productions
Kaminsky Productions is a Palm Springs based creative house providing commercial photography, video, drone and web services. Photographic specialties include product, portrait, architectural and editorial. The company provides full service video production solutions for TV commercials, product and service demonstrations, corporate communications and public affairs. Services also offered include end-to-end web design solutions specializing in websites optimized for video presentation. The Kaminsky Productions team consists of major market veterans who have produced projects for startups to Fortune 500 clients.
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