FILMING WITH A DRONE IN NASHVILLE
Planning to use a drone for a commercial film or photography shoot in Nashville?
Drone filming requires you to consider both federal FAA regulations and permission to use the property where the drone will take off and land.
For commercial productions, start by confirming your FAA requirements and then determine who owns or controls your launch and landing location.
COMMERCIAL DRONE FILMING + FAA RULES
Most commercial drone filming with small drones falls under the FAA's Part 107 rules.
Commercial operators generally need an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, and the drone must meet applicable registration and Remote ID requirements.
Depending on the location and type of flight, you may also need FAA airspace authorization or a waiver.
FAA COMMERCIAL DRONE OPERATIONS
CHECK THE AIRSPACE BEFORE YOU SCOUT
Don't wait until shoot day to determine whether your proposed drone flight is possible.
Nashville has multiple airports and areas of controlled airspace. Depending on your exact location and altitude, FAA authorization may be required.
The FAA's B4UFLY resources can help operators check airspace restrictions and identify where additional authorization may be necessary.
CAN YOU LAUNCH A DRONE FROM METRO NASHVILLE PROPERTY?
Metro Nashville's current Film Production Permit states that Metro Government does not allow a drone-operated camera to depart from or land on Metro Government property.
If a drone is being used for a Metro-permitted production, the launch and landing location must instead be coordinated with a private property owner, and Metro may require proof that the production has permission to use that property.
METRO NASHVILLE FILM PERMIT APPLICATION
This makes identifying a legal and practical launch location an important part of scouting a drone shot in Nashville.
CAN YOU FLY A DRONE IN A NASHVILLE METRO PARK?
Metro Parks has stricter rules.
Metro Parks states that it cannot permit drone use in parks outside designated flying areas, including drone use for photography and filming.
That means you should not assume a standard Metro Parks film permit allows your production to launch or land a drone in a Nashville park.
METRO PARKS FILM + VIDEO PERMIT INFORMATION
FILMING WITH A DRONE DOWNTOWN + AROUND BROADWAY
Downtown Nashville can be a particularly complicated environment for drone filming.
Before planning an aerial shot around Broadway or the downtown core, consider:
FAA airspace requirements
Launch + landing property
Crowds
Operations over people
Moving vehicles
Nearby events
Temporary flight restrictions
Buildings and obstacles
Pedestrian density
Your ability to maintain a safe operation
FAA authorization and property permission are two separate issues. Having permission from a rooftop or parking lot owner does not replace FAA requirements, and FAA authorization does not automatically give you permission to operate from someone else's property.
FLYING OVER PEOPLE + VEHICLES
Commercial drone operations over people and moving vehicles are regulated by the FAA.
Part 107 allows certain operations over people and moving vehicles when the aircraft and operation meet the applicable requirements.
For a busy area like Downtown Nashville, this can have a major impact on whether the creative is realistically achievable.
FAA COMMERCIAL DRONE OPERATIONS
DO YOU NEED A NASHVILLE FILM PERMIT?
Using a drone does not necessarily replace the other permits required for your production.
If the overall shoot uses Metro property, streets, sidewalks or other public infrastructure, a Metro Nashville Film Permit may still be required.
METRO NASHVILLE FILM + SPECIAL EVENTS
BEFORE PLANNING A NASHVILLE DRONE SHOT
Confirm:
Your drone operator meets applicable FAA requirements
The aircraft is properly registered when required
Remote ID requirements are satisfied
You've checked the airspace
Any necessary FAA authorization or waiver has been obtained
You have permission for the launch + landing location
The property is not subject to additional drone restrictions
Operations over people or moving vehicles comply with FAA rules
Your overall production has any necessary local film permits
OFFICIAL RESOURCES
FAA COMMERCIAL DRONE OPERATIONS