Amazon Requests FAA Approval of Delivery-Drone Plans (cnn.com) 47
Amazon has grand plans to deliver packages to its customers via autonomous drones but first it needs to get clearance. The company has requested that federal regulators excuse it from following some current rules of flight, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. From a report: The agency on Thursday published in the Federal Register a petition from Amazon that would allow the company to operate "a delivery system that will get packages to customers in 30 minutes or less using UAS" -- an acronym for unmanned aerial systems, better known as drones. Amazon is requesting permission to use its custom MK27 drone for deliveries before the FAA grants the aircraft a certificate of airworthiness, and an exemption from drone-specific rules, including a requirement that they only be operated when an operator can see it. The company also requested to be excused from complying with aviation regulations more commonly associated with planes, such as requirements that pilots fly above certain heights, carry extra fuel, and fly with documentation including maintenance logs aboard the aircraft. The petition says delivery drones will fly autonomously, or without human input, but that there will be one operator for each drone in the sky at any time.
Re: Hell No (Score:1)
By default, the FAA places a number of restrictions on UAS operation, including flying no higher than 400 feet above ground, remaining in visual line of sight of an operator, not flying over people, and not flying at night. These requirements exist for safety reasons.
There are plenty of reasons that a UAS operator may want to exceed these default restrictions. The operator doesn't simply ask that the FAA ignore safety restrictions, and that's not what Amazon is
Just a problem waiting to happen (Score:1)
I don't know what these people a Amazon are smoking, but drone delivery just seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Logistically it might sound good on paper, but I can see one of these crashing and hurting someone and it goes downhill from there. With all the attention the FAA is getting I don't see them approving this without some significant limitations. If they approve it at all and don't just flat out reject it.
Come and try flying that shit in Kentucky (Score:1)
That drone will get shot down ASAP.
Re: (Score:2)
That drone will get shot down ASAP.
And the shooter will be in handcuffs ASAP. These drones have cameras and they know where they are.
Re: (Score:2)
"Something doesn't belong here. What to do? Oh I know: shoot it."
Here's an alternative: contact the company that owns the drone and complain. Don't damage property and endanger people on the ground by playing Rambo.
Oh, *those* delivery drones (Score:3)
I just couldn't understand why they needed FAA approval for their delivery drones. Then I read the article and realized them weren't talking about the Amazon Logistics delivery drones that drop-kick your package over the fence but the ones that are supposed to make your packages fly. They really need to change terminology here.
If they use video door bells (Score:1)
To data mine. You think they won't use these drones? You won't be safe from complete surveillance even in your own yard.
This will never happen (Score:4, Insightful)
Just like self-driving, this is another technology that will never actually happen outside of carefully controlled conditions. How are you going to pilot an autonomous drone in a city and not have it crash?
Re: (Score:1)
You fly at an altitude above anything you’re likely to crash into, as with any other aircraft. I’ve owned a DJI Spark for almost 2 years and haven’t crashed it once. Drones only have a reputation for frequently crashing because many people fly them low to get interesting shots with the camera, and then they learn the hard way about the risks of flying low.
The crashes will happen (Score:1)
Read the petition. Amazon is specifically asking for exemption from minimum safe altitude rules. They will be running into things and people.
Re: (Score:2)
Probably won't bother with them in difficult areas, but for more urban locales or places where dwellings are spread out they make sense. The customer will be responsible for ensuring that the landing zone is clear and safe.
Attention to Amazon (Score:2)
Please perform the tests yourselves, and let us know the results.
Best, the FAA
Will there be any Airspace left for People? (Score:2)
Looking forward to free drone parts. (Score:2)
A beautiful, naked woman doesn't just fall from the sky, you know?!
Petition and Comments (Score:2)
You can make your opinion known here.
https://www.regulations.gov/do... [regulations.gov]
Here's the petition:
https://www.federalregister.go... [federalregister.gov]