Amazon Is Delivering Packages via Drones

Is it a bird or a plane? No, it’s a drone! That’s right, if you are driving down the road and see a drone with a package flying near you, it is probably a delivery being dropped off from Amazon. The mega-giant company officially started drone delivery in time for the holiday season. The news is still buzzing from when they made their first commercial drone delivery earlier this month. They flew a package and delivered it to a home in the English countryside. Are these new technological devices going to put delivery drivers on the unemployment line?

Beta Trials Show Promising Results

Those close to the Amazon facilities will be able to place an order online and have it shipped within 30 minutes. However, customers should not get too excited just yet. Only a select few can enjoy the drone delivery right now. As part of an early beta trial, they wanted to see if the drone could deliver a Fire TV video, streaming media player, and a bag of popcorn, all within the allotted time. The upcoming months will provide ample opportunities for expansion. If things continue to work as effortlessly as they have, then they will expand their market for drone delivery.

Jumping Through Hurdles With The FAA

Three years ago when the idea was contemplated, the executives said that drone delivery was still about 4-5 years away. Amazon had much work to do to be able to meet the regulatory requirements needed in the United States. They also had a huge hurdle to try to prove to the FAA that drone delivery was safe.

The US has rules that specify that the drone must be visible to the operator at all times. Additionally, the operator can only be the pilot to one drone at a time. Due to these strict regulations, Amazon would not meet the criteria for flying fleets of drones at a time. They would be required to hire an individual operator for each drone. After some negotiations, the FAA has said they can do an exception or waiver to this rule if they can prove their operation will be conducted in a safe manner.

Global Delivery Is Well Within Their Reach

Their choice to try out the delivery in the United Kingdom was a smart move. However, they should chase the exception here in the United States as this area provides much of their business. This milestone for Amazon Prime Air has been quite entertaining for everyone to watch. Before they can start delivery on a global scale, there is much work to do. However, if they continue on the path that they are on right now, they will show that they can accomplish the impossible with determination and a good plan. The business world is always looking for ways to do things bigger and better. Drones may replace some delivery drivers in the field, but it will open up new jobs that were never in existence before.