A new authorization permits two drone delivery companies to fly without any direct human observation, allowing them to skirt current rules around flights.
The FAA is lifting restrictions on drone delivery flights in Dallas-area airspace. [Courtesy: FAA]
Key Takeaways:
The FAA has authorized Zipline and Wing to conduct commercial drone flights without visual observers (VOs) in Dallas-area airspace.
This landmark approval permits Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, with the drone companies managing their own airspace through UAS Traffic Management (UTM) technology under FAA oversight.
It marks the first time the FAA has recognized a third party for safe drone-to-drone interaction management, crucial for scaling drone delivery services.
The Dallas pilot program aims to gather data that could lead to nationwide expansion of BVLOS operations without special exemptions, making UTM a repeatable process.
The regulator on Tuesday authorized commercial drone flights without visual observers (VOs) in Dallas-area airspace for two companies: Zipline and Wing, the drone delivery subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet. The firms will manage the airspace themselves with FAA oversight.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
