FAA Approves Amazon Drone Delivery Test
Today, in a move that could fundamentally alter the future of commercial drone use in the United States, the FAA granted Amazon limited permission to begin testing its drone delivery service, Amazon Prime Air. The FAA’s permission, expressed in the form of an “experimental airworthiness certificate” is notable for the limits it imposes. First, Amazon may begin testing drones only in an isolated parcel of property in rural Washington State. Amazon may only fly drones below 400 feet, only during daylight hours, and only within the line of sight of the operator. The drone must be operated by a pilot with a certificate to fly a private manned aircraft. Amazon must report to the FAA each month, providing the number of flights conducted, pilot duty time per flight, unusual hardware or software malfunctions, any deviations from air traffic controllers’ instructions, and any unintended loss of communication links.
Nevertheless, Amazon is the 600 pound gorilla in the commercial drone industry. Its commencement of testing—even as the FAA is in the midst of the public comment period for its proposed Rule on commercial drone use—signals that drone delivery is coming to an airspace near you. The only question is when.