Sinclair Becomes First Broadcast Media Company Approved by FAA to Pilot Drones Over People Without Waiver for Newsgathering
Sinclair has achieved a historic milestone as the first broadcast company authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly drones over people and moving vehicles without requiring a waiver for newsgathering purposes.
The company's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, established in 2016, currently operates in 50 newsrooms nationwide with 148 FAA certified pilots and 540 trained visual observers, having completed over 40,000 logged flights. All drone pilots undergo extensive training at Virginia Tech's Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), an FAA-designated UAS test site.
This authorization enables Sinclair to operate specially modified drones under strict safety protocols, enhancing their ability to cover breaking news, local events, weather, and community stories. The company has conducted community outreach meetings in each market where they operate drones, engaging with various stakeholders including first responders and local government agencies.
Sinclair ha raggiunto un traguardo storico come prima azienda di trasmissione autorizzata dalla Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) a far volare droni sopra le persone e i veicoli in movimento senza necessità di una deroga per scopi di raccolta notizie.
Il programma di Sistemi Aerei Senza Pilota (UAS) dell'azienda, istituito nel 2016, opera attualmente in 50 redazioni a livello nazionale con 148 piloti certificati dalla FAA e 540 osservatori visivi addestrati, avendo completato oltre 40.000 voli registrati. Tutti i piloti di droni seguono un'ampia formazione presso il Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) della Virginia Tech, un sito di prova UAS designato dalla FAA.
Questa autorizzazione consente a Sinclair di operare droni appositamente modificati sotto rigorosi protocolli di sicurezza, migliorando la loro capacità di coprire notizie dell'ultima ora, eventi locali, meteo e storie della comunità. L'azienda ha condotto incontri di sensibilizzazione nella comunità in ciascun mercato in cui opera con i droni, coinvolgendo vari portatori di interesse, tra cui i primi soccorritori e le agenzie governative locali.
Sinclair ha alcanzado un hito histórico como la primera empresa de transmisión autorizada por la Administración Federal de Aviación (FAA) para volar drones sobre personas y vehículos en movimiento sin necesidad de una exención para fines de recopilación de noticias.
El programa de Sistemas Aéreos No Tripulados (UAS) de la empresa, establecido en 2016, actualmente opera en 50 salas de redacción en todo el país con 148 pilotos certificados por la FAA y 540 observadores visuales capacitados, habiendo completado más de 40,000 vuelos registrados. Todos los pilotos de drones reciben una formación exhaustiva en el Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) de Virginia Tech, un sitio de prueba UAS designado por la FAA.
Esta autorización permite a Sinclair operar drones especialmente modificados bajo estrictos protocolos de seguridad, mejorando su capacidad para cubrir noticias de última hora, eventos locales, clima e historias comunitarias. La empresa ha realizado reuniones de divulgación comunitaria en cada mercado donde opera drones, involucrando a diversas partes interesadas, incluidos los primeros respondedores y las agencias gubernamentales locales.
Sinclair는 연방항공청(FAA)로부터 사람과 이동 차량 위에서 드론을 비행할 수 있는 최초의 방송사로 역사적인 이정표를 세웠습니다. 이는 뉴스 수집 목적을 위한 면제 없이 가능하게 되었습니다.
회사의 무인 항공 시스템(UAS) 프로그램은 2016년에 설립되어 현재 50개의 뉴스룸에서 운영되고 있으며, 148명의 FAA 인증 파일럿과 540명의 훈련된 시각 관찰자가 있으며, 40,000회 이상의 비행을 기록했습니다. 모든 드론 파일럿은 FAA 지정 UAS 시험 장소인 버지니아 공대의 중대서부 항공 파트너십(MAAP)에서 광범위한 교육을 받습니다.
이 승인으로 Sinclair는 엄격한 안전 프로토콜 하에 특별히 수정된 드론을 운영할 수 있게 되어, 속보, 지역 행사, 날씨 및 커뮤니티 이야기를 보도하는 능력이 향상되었습니다. 회사는 드론을 운영하는 각 시장에서 커뮤니티 홍보 회의를 개최하여, 응급 구조원 및 지역 정부 기관을 포함한 다양한 이해관계자와 소통했습니다.
Sinclair a atteint une étape historique en devenant la première entreprise de diffusion autorisée par la Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) à faire voler des drones au-dessus des personnes et des véhicules en mouvement sans avoir besoin d'une dérogation pour des raisons de collecte d'informations.
Le programme de Systèmes Aériens Sans Pilote (UAS) de l'entreprise, établi en 2016, opère actuellement dans 50 rédactions à travers le pays avec 148 pilotes certifiés par la FAA et 540 observateurs visuels formés, ayant réalisé plus de 40 000 vols enregistrés. Tous les pilotes de drones suivent une formation approfondie au Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) de Virginia Tech, un site de test UAS désigné par la FAA.
Cette autorisation permet à Sinclair d'opérer des drones spécialement modifiés sous des protocoles de sécurité stricts, améliorant ainsi leur capacité à couvrir les nouvelles de dernière minute, les événements locaux, la météo et les histoires communautaires. L'entreprise a organisé des réunions de sensibilisation communautaire dans chaque marché où elle opère des drones, engageant divers acteurs, y compris les premiers intervenants et les agences gouvernementales locales.
Sinclair hat einen historischen Meilenstein erreicht, indem es das erste Rundfunkunternehmen ist, das von der Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) autorisiert wurde, Drohnen über Menschen und beweglichen Fahrzeugen zu fliegen, ohne eine Ausnahmegenehmigung für die Nachrichtenbeschaffung zu benötigen.
Das Programm für Unbemannte Luftfahrtsysteme (UAS) des Unternehmens, das 2016 gegründet wurde, ist derzeit in 50 Nachrichtenredaktionen im ganzen Land tätig, mit 148 von der FAA zertifizierten Piloten und 540 geschulten visuellen Beobachtern, die über 40.000 dokumentierte Flüge absolviert haben. Alle Drohnenpiloten durchlaufen eine umfassende Ausbildung am Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) der Virginia Tech, einem von der FAA anerkannten UAS-Testgelände.
Diese Genehmigung ermöglicht es Sinclair, speziell modifizierte Drohnen unter strengen Sicherheitsprotokollen zu betreiben, was ihre Fähigkeit verbessert, aktuelle Nachrichten, lokale Ereignisse, Wetter und Gemeinschaftsgeschichten zu berichten. Das Unternehmen hat in jedem Markt, in dem es Drohnen betreibt, Gemeinschaftsveranstaltungen durchgeführt und mit verschiedenen Interessengruppen, einschließlich Ersthelfern und lokalen Regierungsbehörden, Kontakt aufgenommen.
- First broadcast company to receive FAA approval for over-people drone operations without waiver
- Extensive drone program with 148 certified pilots and 540 trained observers
- Successful completion of over 40,000 logged flights since 2016
- Enhanced capability for news coverage and content creation
- None.
Insights
Sinclair's FAA approval to operate drones over people without waivers represents a technical achievement with moderate operational implications. With 148 certified pilots across 50 newsrooms and 40,000+ logged flights, Sinclair has clearly made substantial investments in drone journalism infrastructure. This regulatory milestone eliminates a significant operational friction point, allowing their news teams to capture aerial footage more spontaneously during breaking news.
The technical requirements for this approval aren't trivial. Drones must be specially modified and meet stringent safety protocols. Sinclair's partnership with Virginia Tech's aviation program demonstrates the rigorous approach required to satisfy FAA requirements – suggesting competitors won't immediately replicate this capability.
However, the competitive advantage has limitations. The primary benefit is operational efficiency rather than exclusive capability. Competitors can still obtain case-by-case waivers or deploy alternative visual storytelling methods. The technology itself doesn't create fundamentally new content categories – it makes existing aerial coverage more accessible and responsive.
This advancement enhances Sinclair's technical capabilities in local news production, but represents an incremental improvement rather than a transformative change to their news gathering operations. The investment points to management's commitment to technical innovation, though the direct viewer impact will likely be modest.
Sinclair's FAA drone approval demonstrates the company's operational focus on technical differentiation in an increasingly competitive local news landscape. While innovative, this development represents a modest competitive advantage rather than a significant market mover.
The broadcast industry continues to face pressures from digital platforms, making production efficiency and visual storytelling increasingly important differentiators. Sinclair's drone program – with its 540 trained observers alongside certified pilots – indicates substantial ongoing investment in visual journalism capabilities. This approval removes a key operational hurdle, potentially allowing Sinclair stations to be first with compelling aerial footage during breaking news, severe weather, and community events.
From a competitive standpoint, this approval creates a temporary advantage in news coverage efficiency. However, the market impact should not be overstated. The approval applies to existing technology rather than introducing new revenue streams. While aerial footage enhances production value, there's evidence suggesting marginal improvements in visual content directly drive viewership or advertising rates.
For investors, this development showcases management's ability to navigate complex regulatory environments but doesn't fundamentally alter Sinclair's market position or financial trajectory. The program's scale suggests meaningful operational investment without clear metrics for return. This represents solid operational execution rather than a transformative business development for a company with a
In Partnership with Virginia Tech
The FAA’s authorization allows Sinclair to operate specially modified drones while adhering to strict safety protocols and procedures that meet federal requirements.
“This approval represents a significant step forward in our ability to deliver high-quality, innovative journalism,” said Scott Livingston, Senior Vice President of News for Sinclair. “By incorporating expanded drone footage, we enhance our coverage of breaking news, local events, weather, and community stories—offering our audiences more compelling and dynamic storytelling. Our ongoing partnership with Virginia Tech has been instrumental in ensuring the highest safety and training standards.”
Sinclair’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program, launched in 2016, operates across 50 newsrooms nationwide and has completed over 40,000 logged flights to date. The program includes 148 FAA certified pilots and 540 trained visual observers.
Sinclair is committed to ensuring its drone operations are conducted safely and responsibly. All Sinclair drone pilots undergo rigorous training at Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), an FAA-designated UAS test site. This partnership ensures pilots are equipped with advanced skills and knowledge in drone operations and safety procedures.
“Our dedication to safety is paramount and this achievement is the result of more than a year of extensive preparation, testing, and collaboration with industry and government partners. We’ve also conducted community outreach meetings in each market where we operate drones, engaging with first responders, Homeland Security, education officials, local government agencies, and the FAA,” said Jeff Rose, Sinclair’s UAS Chief Pilot.
Commenting on the partnership, Tombo Jones, director for the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership said, “We have worked for years with Sinclair, helping to train their pilots, and I have always been impressed with their professionalism and commitment to safety. We were proud to build on that theme by using our FAA-approved test method to test a modified drone that allows Sinclair's pilots to meet the FAA's stringent safety requirements for operating over people or traffic.”
With this new FAA approval, Sinclair continues to lead the industry in integrating cutting-edge technology into broadcast journalism. This capability applies to Sinclair’s fleet of drones and trained pilots, ensuring compliance with the highest safety standards while expanding the scope of aerial news coverage.
About Sinclair:
Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD/ROAR and The Nest. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net
Category: General
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402249599/en/
Sinclair: Jessica Bellucci jbellucci-c@sbgtv.com
Source: Sinclair, Inc.
FAQ
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