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Amazon drone trial gets US regulator approval | Amazon drone trial gets US regulator approval |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Amazon's plans to begin testing drones for online deliveries. | The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Amazon's plans to begin testing drones for online deliveries. |
The FAA said it had granted Amazon a certificate for people with pilot's licenses to test the unmanned aircraft. | The FAA said it had granted Amazon a certificate for people with pilot's licenses to test the unmanned aircraft. |
The drones must be flown at 400 feet or below during daylight hours, and must remain within sight of the pilot. | The drones must be flown at 400 feet or below during daylight hours, and must remain within sight of the pilot. |
Under US law, operating drones for commercial purposes is illegal. | Under US law, operating drones for commercial purposes is illegal. |
However, those rules are under revision by the FAA, which is expected to issue new rules regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft for commercial and recreational purposes. | However, those rules are under revision by the FAA, which is expected to issue new rules regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft for commercial and recreational purposes. |
Long wait | Long wait |
Amazon had asked the US regulator for approval to begin the tests last July. | Amazon had asked the US regulator for approval to begin the tests last July. |
In December, the firm warned that it might begin testing the programme - known as Amazon Prime Air - in other countries. | |
"Without approval of our testing in the United States, we will be forced to continue expanding our Prime Air R&D footprint abroad," wrote Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global public policy, in a letter to the FAA at the time. | "Without approval of our testing in the United States, we will be forced to continue expanding our Prime Air R&D footprint abroad," wrote Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global public policy, in a letter to the FAA at the time. |
As part of this ruling, the internet retail giant must also provide data on the number of flights conducted and any other relevant information, on a monthly basis. | As part of this ruling, the internet retail giant must also provide data on the number of flights conducted and any other relevant information, on a monthly basis. |
Amazon announced in December 2013 that it was going to begin trialling delivery to some customers by drone. | Amazon announced in December 2013 that it was going to begin trialling delivery to some customers by drone. |
Chinese internet giant Alibaba, Google and parcel service UPS are among other companies carrying out more private trials of drones. | Chinese internet giant Alibaba, Google and parcel service UPS are among other companies carrying out more private trials of drones. |
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