Moviemakers ask to use drones for filming

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) — Hollywood’s lobbying group is asking the Obama administration for permission to use drones for aerial shots, a document indicates..

The Motion Picture Association of America released their lobbying disclosure document this week, The Hill reported.

In the letter to the Federal Aviation Administration, representatives from the MPAA asked them to allow filmmakers to put cameras on unmanned aircraft in U.S. airspace.

MPAA spokesman Howard Gantman said putting a camera on a drone would be safer, cheaper and more useful than using a helicopter or crane.

The Hill said the FAA is drafting rules that would allow private groups to apply to fly drones and may start issuing private drone licenses by 2015.

Police departments are also eyeing the technology.

The FAA estimates 30,000 private and government drones could by in operation by the end of the decade.