&gt; Also why do they need permission at all?<p>Because in the last few years as the FAA has gone on their power trip to gain control of small unmanned aircraft, they have deemed any and all commercial activity involving model aircraft illegal unless there is an exception in place.<p>&gt; this is a drone flown in closed private airspace.<p>According to the FAA, there is no such thing as &quot;closed private airspace&quot; unless you are flying indoors or at least some kind of enclosure.