Amazon Moves Closer to Drone Delivery
It is no surprise that Amazon has received federal approval to utilize drones, allowing the retailer to send packages to customers in 30 minutes or less.
The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) has issued a Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certification to Amazon for this delivery process to begin taking place. While there is no exact date when to expect these drones, acquiring that certification was critical.
David Carbon, V.P. of Prime Air, to the New York Times, said that the certification “indicates the F.A.A.’s confidence in Amazon’s operating and safety procedures for an autonomous drone delivery service that will one day deliver around the world.”
Testing the capabilities of drone delivery is required to begin its production. Amazon displayed an electric hexagonal drone at a conference in Las Vegas, indicating that it could only carry up to five pounds. The device had advanced technology built inside that prevents contact with other objects.
Jeff Bezos in 2013 to “60 Minutes” an interview, he predicted that “drones would become common within the next five years.”
Seven years later, Amazon is the third company to earn a Part 135 Air Carrier and Operator Certification. Aside from Wing Aviation and U.P.S. Flight Forward, neither company has executed drone delivery fully yet.
