Amazon has asked the FAA for permission to conduct outdoor tests of its drones near its Seattle headquarters, as it has already conducted indoor tests and its drones can travel over 50 mph while carrying 5-pound payloads, covering 86% of Amazon's products. For the outdoor tests, Amazon's drones would weigh up to 55 pounds and stay within sight with a remote-controlled kill switch to force landings or automatic return if communication is lost. Amazon argues it should be allowed to do what private citizens can do by testing drones outdoors for its research and development rather than exporting those jobs overseas.
1. Amazon wants to test its drones outdoors
NEW YORK (CNNMoney)
Amazon (AMZN, Tech30) has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to conduct
outdoor tests near its Seattle headquarters.
Amazon, in a letter to the FAA, said that it has already conducted indoor tests.
It says its drones will "travel over 50 miles per hour, and will carry 5-pound payloads." That would
cover 86% of products sold on Amazon, the company said.
Now Amazon is ready to move the project outside.
It said the drones will weigh up to 55 pounds.
For the tests, the drones would stay within sight and Amazon said it can force landings with a
remote-controlled kill switch. If the communication link with the drone is broken, it would
automatically return to a predetermined location on Amazon property.
Related: 3D print your own drone
Amazon said that it is only asking to do what private citizens are already doing all the time.
"Current FAA rules allow hobbyists and manufacturers of model aircraft wide latitude in flying their
sUAS [small unmanned aircraft system] outdoors," read the letter. "Because Amazon is a commercial
enterprise we have been limited to conducting R&D flights indoors or in other countries."
Amazon said it would rather keep its R&D jobs in U.S. then export them outside the influence of the
FAA.
Related: CNN to study drone use for reporting
The retailer did not return calls from CNNMoney. But
to the FAA, the company painted an enticing picture of
the future.
"Amazon Prime Air, a new delivery system that will get
packages to customers in 30 minutes or less using
aerial vehicles, is one invention we are incredibly
passionate about," said the retailer. "One day, seeing Amazon Prime Air will be as normal as seeing
mail trucks on the road today, resulting in enormous benefits for consumers across the nation."
First Published: July 11, 2014: 8:24 AM ET
![Amazon wants to test its drones outdoors
NEW YORK (CNNMoney)
Amazon (AMZN, Tech30) has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to conduct
outdoor tests near its Seattle headquarters.
Amazon, in a letter to the FAA, said that it has already conducted indoor tests.
It says its drones will "travel over 50 miles per hour, and will carry 5-pound payloads." That would
cover 86% of products sold on Amazon, the company said.
Now Amazon is ready to move the project outside.
It said the drones will weigh up to 55 pounds.
For the tests, the drones would stay within sight and Amazon said it can force landings with a
remote-controlled kill switch. If the communication link with the drone is broken, it would
automatically return to a predetermined location on Amazon property.
Related: 3D print your own drone
Amazon said that it is only asking to do what private citizens are already doing all the time.
"Current FAA rules allow hobbyists and manufacturers of model aircraft wide latitude in flying their
sUAS [small unmanned aircraft system] outdoors," read the letter. "Because Amazon is a commercial
enterprise we have been limited to conducting R&D flights indoors or in other countries."
Amazon said it would rather keep its R&D jobs in U.S. then export them outside the influence of the
FAA.
Related: CNN to study drone use for reporting
The retailer did not return calls from CNNMoney. But
to the FAA, the company painted an enticing picture of
the future.
"Amazon Prime Air, a new delivery system that will get
packages to customers in 30 minutes or less using
aerial vehicles, is one invention we are incredibly
passionate about," said the retailer. "One day, seeing Amazon Prime Air will be as normal as seeing
mail trucks on the road today, resulting in enormous benefits for consumers across the nation."
First Published: July 11, 2014: 8:24 AM ET](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/140743426953e3be1d3b896-140807125751-phpapp01/85/Amazon-wants-to-test-its-drones-outdoors-1-320.jpg)
