There could be yet another reason why a drone is hovering over you. The media is taking on a first-ever study of how they can be used in newsgathering. (Investigative stories about birds and comb-overs would be a lot more reliable.)

A coalition of 15 news media companies, including NBCUniversal, the New York Times and AP, launched research this week at Virginia Tech to test small unmanned aircraft systems. The flight tests are the first of a series of controlled testing of real-life scenarios, including remote regions and urban environments, to simulate news events that the media can safely report on using drones.

This is the first time reporters and photographers are controlling the aircraft to test newsgathering. AP international video chief Sandy McIntyre says using drones is a step forward in storytelling. The whole idea of using drones in newsgathering is also a way to keep journalists out of harm’s way. The testing will be done at a facility in Bealton, VA.