The Federal Aviation Administration has just approved the commercial use of drones for Phoenix Arizona based HighGround Images, LLC. The approval covers a broad range of UAS aerial image acquisition including: motion picture and television, real estate, short range inspection, mapping and survey, agriculture, and search and rescue.

Phoenix, Arizona July 06, 2015

HighGround Images, LLC announced today they have received notice that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted HighGround's Section 333 exemption request. This exemption allows HighGround to commercially use unmanned aerial systems (UASs or UAVs), commonly known as drones, for a wide range of image acquisitions from motion picture and real estate filming to mapping and search & rescue.

Whitney Johnson, owner of HighGround Images, stated, "I think we are the first in Phoenix to receive the FAA exemption. We're very excited we can offer this service here." Mr. Johnson further explained what the FAA's grant of exemption means in concrete terms, saying, "There has been an understandable reluctance from some organizations to use unsanctioned drone operators. Now that HighGround has the exemption and drone liability insurance, we hope to offer our services to an expanding market."

Pilots at HighGround have accumulated 100s of hours of flight time with drone systems, ultra-lights, general aviation, and commercial aviation aircraft. Additionally, HighGround's owner, Whitney Johnson, has experience in the film and commercial photography industry. He is a certified video editor and technical coordinator with Apple software and hardware. Previously, Mr. Johnson certified with Skycatch as a Workmode aerial mapping technician.

For more information, visit HighGround Images website http://www.highgroundimages.com.