Los Angeles, CA —I just spent a long time on the telephone with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector.   I’m not going to name him.   He was knowledgeable and helpful under the circumstances.   My question involved the use of a somewhat small multi-rotor drone for photography and videography.    Specifically, I wanted an exemption certificate for the use of a drone to obtain aerial images of accident, crime scenes, aerial damage surveys of structures for insurance adjusting and electronic newsgathering (ENG). Just last Sunday the FAA issued a draft copy of their intended drone regulations.   After a public comment period as much as three years will pass before a final regulation is published.   The rub here is that the drone technology is changing at lighting speed and whatever they promulgate will already be outdated and stale by the time any rule is adopted. The inspector I spoke with was an obviously bright fellow.     He among othe...

Malibu, CA —Earlier this month former Olympic champion, Bruce Jenner was involved in a fatal accident on Pacific Coast Highway.   Jenner was driving a Cadillac Escalade towing a trailer.   As most of my blog visitors know I’m a former cop and licensed private investigator for longer than I care to admit.   I have conducted many fatal automobile accident investigations and understand the process.   A white Lexus was in front of Jenner’s vehicle being driven by a 68 year-old Arizona woman driving with an expired driver’s license.     She suddenly slowed down for no apparent reason.   Jenner apparently hit her and somehow pushed her Lexus into oncoming traffic.    A Hummer then struck the Lexus head on killing the woman.   Apparently there was no evidence of excessive speed or impaired driving involved .   Right now sheriff’s officers are trying their best to reconstruct the accident to determine fault. Just because there...

Washington, DC —The documentary film is called, CITIZENFOUR and may be the most important documentary of our time.  It’s been nominated for an Academy Award.   The German producers of this film were blessed with incredible access to American hero and NSA whistle blower Edward Snowden .  This was at the time when he was handing over data and documenting the massive criminal acts of our President and high intelligence officials to the  Guardian Newspaper . The only person ever indicted for a crime was of course Edward Snowden.  Frankly the sheep do not understand that our democracy will never be the same because of our people’s stolen secrets.  Political extortion, financial manipulation is our future since the Genie is forever out of the bottle.  But for the ignorance of masses, they’d rise up, storm the Whitehouse and immediately hang the occupants for treason.  Buy a ticket and see this remarkable film.  Then ask your...

From an Undisclosed Location —Ok, that’s a fair question.   The answer is complicated.   I’ll do my best to answer that. Yes, I’m a licensed private detective but I avoid work that’s meaningless, illegal, or immoral.   My primary specialty is criminal defense and I’m considered an expert in self-defense cases involving deadly force.   I accept other cases including personal injury cases where liability must be established and fixed. In 1989 I was recruited to work as a TV investigative news producer .   I did not shut down my agency but agreed simply do the work for TV news like all my other clients.  On news cases I spend my time finding out what the cops and other authorities do  NOT want the media to know about the most high profile murders and such.   I’ve actually reported stories but generally never have the time to do anything but locate and hand over the material and important witnesses for interviews to those familiar TV face...

Pacific Palisades, CA —At Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard high on a hill with a stunning view overlooking the ocean is Villa Aurora .   This was once the playground of film icons such as Marlene Dietrich and Charlie Chaplin .   Today Villa Aurora is an exciting artist’s residence, owned by the German government.   It’s contributions to art, music and film is immeasurable.   The same could be said here for the German government.    The partnership between American and German filmmakers has brought thrilling film after film to both European and American audiences, On Saturday February 21 st German Film s, Villa Aurora (Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles) and the Consulate General of The Federal Republic of Germany will host its Pre-Oscar event.   In honor of the German Oscar® nominees: This year they will be honoring the following: Director Wim Wenders -   nominated for THE SALT OF THE EARTH as Best Documentary Feature Team...

Washington, DC --The FAA finally came out with a proposed rule for commercial drone use.  They were far less draconian and created a somewhat reasonable approach to regulation than expected by most observers.  The “ FAA Guidelines for Model Aircraft ” for non-commercial hobbyist fights will remain unchanged.  The new rule would make Electronic Drone News Gathering possible in most situations. The period of public comment must pass and after some tweaking the final rule will be established.  This could take up to three years.  By then the technology will change for the better and this will be liberalized somewhat.   Below is the UAS (drone) Commercial Use Press Release for the Rule the FAA is sending out for public comment. HIGHLIGHTS: The FAA will require a minimal pilot UAS ground license testing requirement with recertification every two years. No drone night flights. No flying drones over the heads of people unless they are part ...