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Zipline Receives FAA Part 135 Carrier Certificate

California-based Zipline has become the fourth drone delivery company to receive an FAA Part 135 carrier certificate to fly in the U.S.

Airborne Zipline drone drops package with parachute
Zipline’s electric, autonomous, fixed-wing drones fly precise routes to customer locations, drop packages at low altitudes, and return to distribution centers. [Courtesy: Zipline]
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Key Takeaways:

  • Zipline has secured an FAA Part 135 carrier certificate, becoming the fourth drone operator in the U.S. authorized for commercial drone delivery.
  • This certification enables Zipline to launch the nation’s "longest range on-demand" commercial drone delivery service, covering the largest area and distance.
  • Initial Part 135 operations will commence from Kannapolis, North Carolina, with partners like Novant Health, leveraging Zipline's extensive experience in autonomous medical deliveries.
  • Zipline's "Zip" drones are autonomous, fixed-wing electric aircraft designed for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights, featuring advanced navigation, detect-and-avoid systems, and a unique carrier-style recovery method.
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California-based Zipline has become the fourth drone delivery operator to receive an FAA Part 135 carrier certificate to fly in the U.S.

In its announcement Tuesday, Zipline said the certificate puts it on track to launch the nation’s “longest range on-demand” commercial drone delivery service with “operations covering the largest area and greatest distance of any uncrewed commercial aircraft delivery system in the country.”

Thom Patterson

Thom is a former senior editor for FLYING. Previously, his freelance reporting appeared in aviation industry magazines. Thom also spent three decades as a TV and digital journalist at CNN’s bureaus in Washington and Atlanta, eventually specializing in aviation. He has reported from air shows in Oshkosh, Farnborough and Paris. Follow Thom on Twitter @thompatterson.

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