Amazon Gains FAA Approval to Fly Drones Even Farther

Amazon is expanding its drone deliveries after receiving Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to make beyond-visual-line-of-sight deliveries. 

The company said the approval allows Amazon Prime Air to continue expanding its drone delivery service to more locations across the U.S. 

“We’re excited to share that the FAA has given Prime Air additional permissions that allow us to operate our drones beyond visual line of sight, enabling us to now serve more customers via drone and effectively expand and scale our drone delivery operations,” stated a company statement. 

Amazon said its remote drone operation strategy included years spent developing and testing its onboard detect-and-avoid-technology, to ensure Prime Air drones can not only detect but also avoid in-air obstacles. 

To demonstrate how its drone can safely navigate beyond line of sight, Amazon said it flew the drone for FAA inspectors in real-world conditions that included in the presence of planes, helicopters and a hot air balloon. 

The FAA approval allows Amazon to expand its College Station, Texas, delivery area, allowing more customers to be eligible for drone delivery.

Amazon said that later this year it will integrate drone delivery into the company’s delivery network allowing drones to be deployed from facilities next to its same-day delivery sites.

Related:Amazon Ends California Drone Deliveries, Expands to Arizona