WTR: RC Octocopter / LA area

[Max M.]

For an upcoming shoot i'm looking for a good company who can provide an octocopter for some
aerial footage. Must be able to hook up an Epic to it and be gyro stabelized.

Does anyone know what are the best company's in the LA area who offer this?

[Vance Colvig]

The FAA has prohibited the flight of pilotless aircraft for commercial use (meaning for compensation or hire) unless the aircraft has an airworthiness certificate and is piloted by a commercially licensed pilot. Unless a special waiver is issued by the FAA, the UAV will be required to have a certified operating transponder with altitude reporting if operating within 30 nautical miles of Class B airspace (such as LAX). I doubt that any FAA Flight Standards District Office would ever grant such a waiver do to liability and threat to public safety. Other airspace restrictions apply in other parts of U.S. airspace. Seems first violation is $10,000, second violation is $100,000. I suspect Homeland Security also has a general interest in the matter of UAV's.

[Max M.]

hmm that's disappointing :( , so nobody in the usa is using these octocopters anymore? too bad

[Sid Idris]

you have to rent an actual manned helicopter.

[Nick Gardner]

I would ask around here-

http://www.helifreak.com/forumdisplay.php?f=53

You may find somebody willing to "donate" their time and efforts.

Nick

[sergio arguello]

thats what im saying "loophole" donate time and a thank you gift in the amount of their dayrate...perfectly legal

[Michael Panfeld]

I know someone here who has the waiver and can fly for hire. However, he is in the Wash DC area and you would have to fly him and the gear out to LA.

[Dan Kanes]

Don't hire this guy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwUh1ocDXws

[Max M.]

thanks for the reactions, unfortunatly we don't have the budget (and don't need) to rent a real helicopter, and traveling from dc would also be to expensive :(, i'll keep on searching :)