What Would Actually Change?
With delivery drones already in the air for many states, this kind of change may seem unnecessary to those that aren’t familiar with current regulations. After all, companies like Amazon are already doing this, so what’s the deal?
As it stands right now, tech companies — and anyone else that wants to fly a drone beyond the visual line of sight — need to go through a lengthy process with the FAA to be granted a waiver that allows them to do so.
This new proposal would do away with that waiver program, allowing businesses to start really ramping up their drone delivery programs in a way that could make a big impact on the supply chain in the long run.
“It’s going to change the way that people and products move throughout our airspace. So you may change the way you get your Amazon package. You may get a Starbucks cup of coffee from a drone. The way you get your products will fundamentally change.” – Sean Duffy, US Secretary of Transportation
