An Amazon delivery drone prototype. (Credit: Amazon) When the Federal Aviation Administration released its draft regulations for commercial drone flight last month, it appeared Amazon’s ambitions to launch a drone delivery service were effectively grounded. But things aren’t always as they appear, and the Internet retailer’s delivery drones may still have a fighting chance. On Thursday, the FAA issued Amazon a special “experimental airworthiness certificate,” which allows the company to conduct outdoor research to test its fleet of delivery drones.
The FAA’s new ruling adds Amazon to the list of commercial operators allowed to fly drones. According to USA Today, "the agency has granted 48 petitions through Friday for purposes such as movie-making, smokestack inspection, agriculture and aerial photography. But hundreds more applications are pending, as the industry urges faster regulatory action." Amazon will be allowed to fly its drones outdoors for the purpose of research, development and crew training. ...
