Knowledge Test & Insurance

[Maverick88]

Helping international filmmakers with drone op at Hollywood Sign (Los Angeles, CA). Long story short they have already paid the fees and gone through proper channels and want to do it right. We all know pilots and other filmmakers sometimes just film without permits and hope for the best so i'm happy to hear this team is doing it right.

Unfortunately, they were delayed relevant answers/info from Film LA office and in a rush to get all the drone paperwork turned in on time. I've helped to the best of my ability so far. But needed some assistance with the following:

1.) How do I re-take the knowledge test? (already part-107 certified) It's not super clear on FAA website and i've been researching online and apparently some pilots take the wrong test, due to the confusing nature of the directions or just lack thereof.

-- The only (2) options I could find are:​

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​

​

​

OR​

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​

Which one is correct? I know I could contact my local FSDO but it's Sunday and no one is available to talk until tomorrow. Also don't want to waste time/money (even though filmmakers agreed to cover all testing fees if applicable) and want to give them correct info. I'm wondering if there is enough time to finish this before their shoot date of 9/11/2024.


2.) Since they are filming at Hollywood Sign they need permission beforehand and I'm not sure how to do that. The directions they were given says it can be LAANC app or FAA website, but the FAA website is confusing enough and even when i searched it did not help.

Is there a reputable LAANC app I can use that captures a screenshot of authorization BEFORE flight date? (I know you can do it via DJI while on-site)

3.) Insurance: Film LA also requires COI + Additional insurance info. They advise using: KwikComply -- but it's not straightforward and i'm unsure how to provide the proper insurance.

--

This international crew has the right idea to get the proper authorizations, Film LA just doesn't seem as forthright in giving them clear and concise directions. If anyone has experience in these matters please comment or DM me. I was only told all this today and they want to shoot on 9/11/24

I want to do my best to help them out but also be very honest in case it won't be possible by that date.

 

[mavic3usa]

Get you LAANC using the app here: AirControl. LAANC | Aloft

 

[AlanL]

The first link on the FAA site is the correct one - you need the Pt. 107 sUAS recurrent for non-61 Pilots if your Pt. 107 certificate has expired. It's an online exam and it's almost hard to fail to be quite honest. If you miss a question they show which one and let you offer up a new answer until you get it right to pass. You are not required to take a class or go to PSI for an exam.

 

[GFields]

How do I re-take the knowledge test? (already part-107 certified)

You need to take the Recurrent exam

2.) Since they are filming at Hollywood Sign they need permission beforehand and I'm not sure how to do that. The directions they were given says it can be LAANC app or FAA website, but the FAA website is confusing enough and even when i searched it did not help.

Submit an Airspace Clearance through the FAA drone zone

Insurance: Film LA also requires COI + Additional insurance info. They advise using: KwikComply --

There are several insurance companies out there. Do your due diligence and look for the best rates as well reviews

 

[Cafguy]

post number 4 has some great info for you. Today is the 8TH and you want to film on the 11th. 9-11?
You are not gonna make that.
You are going to need special permission and IF you can manage that. you will need to present your filming schedule to the film Dept. They are going to want you to post guards.
The sign is in Griffith Park and that park is a no fly zone.
Late EDIT I forgot to add the people at the Film Dept are very helpful and friendly the BEST advice I can give you is speak to them about your concerns.

 

[Fizzbang]

A little side story.
I knew a man who built a boat from scratch in his back yard. Near completion he realized that if he hired a crane to lift it over his house to the public highway, then he would need to have the telecom pole ouside of his property removed and reerected. He wrote to the communication company and they said that it would take six months to process and would cost thousands, and thats if it could be done at all.

So the man hired his crane, used a chainsaw to demolish the pole. Got the job done in a day and only had to pay a small fine for criminal damage.

 

[Cafguy]

L.A. and all other major cities can be strange about commercial photography with drones. If you are a real estate person filming or inspecting homes or a surveyor that's one thing BUT To actually film commercially in a public place requires jumping thru all sorts of hoops. Depending on the size of your project of course: You need a permit, Then the area you are filming in magically becomes a "SET". That sounds cool.....until you find out that "Sets" are regulated by OSHA and you are required to follow those rules as well! If you want to film in a Public place in L.A. commercially its gonna cost you one way or the other. I don't think they will get permission for a commercial shoot there so soon (maybe?). The Observatory in the park is the most photographed building in L.A. and That is one of the reasons it looks so nice, Thru fees they can keep it that way.

 

[Maverick88]

The first link on the FAA site is the correct one - you need the Pt. 107 sUAS recurrent for non-61 Pilots if your Pt. 107 certificate has expired. It's an online exam and it's almost hard to fail to be quite honest. If you miss a question they show which one and let you offer up a new answer until you get it right to pass. You are not required to take a class or go to PSI for an exam.

copy that, thank you!

 

[Maverick88]

post number 4 has some great info for you. Today is the 8TH and you want to film on the 11th. 9-11?
You are not gonna make that.
You are going to need special permission and IF you can manage that. you will need to present your filming schedule to the film Dept. They are going to want you to post guards.
The sign is in Griffith Park and that park is a no fly zone.
Late EDIT I forgot to add the people at the Film Dept are very helpful and friendly the BEST advice I can give you is speak to them about your concerns.

Hey! We were able to get it done on the 11th and shoot went well. We were escorted by park services and had proper documentation to film at the Hollywood Sign.

The Film LA folks are helpful, i think they were just delayed in their response to the filmmaking crew from Switzerland. From what they told me, the began the process Mid-August but did not receive a reply until 1st week of September. From that point on they were in a time crunch to get everything turned in on time. But as you said, Film LA was helpful, Once they began communicating on a consistent basis with the Swiss Crew.

We got it done together and that's what matters, and the park officials who escorted us to the sign and stayed with us couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. Was a great overall experience and glad I was able to help them out with my drone coverage.

 

[Maverick88]

L.A. and all other major cities can be strange about commercial photography with drones. If you are a real estate person filming or inspecting homes or a surveyor that's one thing BUT To actually film commercially in a public place requires jumping thru all sorts of hoops. Depending on the size of your project of course: You need a permit, Then the area you are filming in magically becomes a "SET". That sounds cool.....until you find out that "Sets" are regulated by OSHA and you are required to follow those rules as well! If you want to film in a Public place in L.A. commercially its gonna cost you one way or the other. I don't think they will get permission for a commercial shoot there so soon (maybe?). The Observatory in the park is the most photographed building in L.A. and That is one of the reasons it looks so nice, Thru fees they can keep it that way.

I hear ya, but they were able to get it done and we shot the footage we needed at the Hollywood sign. Had a great overall experience with everyone involved. The Swiss crew had all the documentation readily available and paid the necessary fees for us to be there.