FAA approves Amazon drone delivery !!

Captain Lou · Aug 31, 2020

Anyone hear about this ? I guess if you have billions of dollars you can buy anything!! I read a little of artical and they mentioned 15 mile 5 pound limits and allowed for NO VLOS ... also approved UPS for similar delivery system ... I don’t understand ... is it just for very rural places ? If so, how many Amazon deliveries would there be ?

TShepp · Sep 1, 2020

I am still waiting to see the intimate details of it myself. As cool of a concept as that is, I still think so much has to be considered and ironed out before it is acceptable by the consumer world and also cost positive for Amazon. I can’t imagine investment into this technology to achieve drone delivery is worth the ROI even for a giant like Amazon.

WithTheBirds · Sep 1, 2020

The trials have been running for quite some time in Australia. You might get some insight as to what to expect with a quick google search.

maelstrom · Sep 1, 2020

Apart from all of the many logistical problems (how will it pick a suitable, clear landing site, how will it identify the correct address and so on), I'm struggling to see the need for this. If you're close enough to an Amazon hub to make it practical, there's no real need to use a drone. If you're in some remote, off-the-grid area, the drone probably wouldn't reach you anyway. This is also clearly an impractical solution for use in a congested, urban area. Seems more like doing it because you can rather than because there's a practical reason

Gratton · Sep 1, 2020

The technical term for this is "Skeet with prizes"! ?

mikeg

tlap · Sep 1, 2020

In wonder if this becomes broadly implemented if the FAA will put new limits on drones in order to avoid incidence.

Jet skier · Sep 1, 2020

I wonder how they get to waive VLOS

Deleted member 114292 · Sep 1, 2020

Jet skier said:
I wonder how they get to waive VLOS

If you have a certified airframe and a chute you can get VLOS waiver and an over people waiver.
Also ABS-B full transponder no doubt.
These drone are costing like at least 50k or more.

lookout · Sep 1, 2020

Gratton said:
The technical term for this is "Skeet with prizes"! ?

mikeg

No more need for porch pirates! But hey they could still watch where the drone lands and not have to guess so much.

OH but maybe more drones would get shot down...OH no don't do that...that's my amazon delivery...interesting change in the anti-drone community.

Done said:
If you have a certified airframe and a chute you can get VLOS waiver and an over people waiver.
Also ABS-B full transponder no doubt.
These drone are costing like at least 50k or more.

And all the trucks they just bought cost how much?

After sinking the postal service.

lookout · Sep 1, 2020

maelstrom said:
Apart from all of the many logistical problems (how will it pick a suitable, clear landing site, how will it identify the correct address and so on), I'm struggling to see the need for this. If you're close enough to an Amazon hub to make it practical, there's no real need to use a drone. If you're in some remote, off-the-grid area, the drone probably wouldn't reach you anyway. This is also clearly an impractical solution for use in a congested, urban area. Seems more like doing it because you can rather than because there's a practical reason

Doesn't seem practical...

Rural areas...not so many rough roads to drive on...

But if most packages are big and heavy drone not gonna get the job done.

Would take longer to punch all the garbage in to get it fired up and delivered.

Waste of time I say.

Deleted member 114292 · Sep 1, 2020

lookout said:
And all the trucks they just bought cost how much?

That cost is based on one off builds. If they make 10,000 of them they would be much cheaper.
In theory could save on gas too. Not to mention drivers.
At this point mostly experimental.
It's quite possible the Amazon trucks would be in that price range on a one off basis.

Captain Lou · Sep 1, 2020

Wondering how big the drone will have to be to deliver 5 lbs of payload in all conditions ? I saw a you tube video and someone tested lift on MM,MA, and M2P...
M2P (the largest) was just able to lift 2 lbs ... anyone know about larger DJI drones lifting capabilities?

lookout · Sep 1, 2020

Captain Lou said:
Wondering how big the drone will have to be to deliver 5 lbs of payload in all conditions ? I saw a you tube video and someone tested lift on MM,MA, and M2P...
M2P (the largest) was just able to lift 2 lbs ... anyone know about larger DJI drones lifting capabilities?

The lifting efficiency of a helicopter type scenario is that everything is running on thin blades doing all the work as opposed to a fixed wing that has much more area to work with. Literally hanging on by the skin of the teeth.

This thing solves the problem of taking off like a drone and then flying like a fixed wing.

It can fly for about an hour as opposed to a quad which can barely make 30 minutes.

Makes you wonder what would happen if they invented the drone/helicopter first instead of the airplane.

Captain Lou · Sep 1, 2020

I saw a while ago when Amazon started talking about drone delivery and they showed trucks delivering to homes as normal and while doing that the driver would also send up drone on its own in the same neighborhood while he’s there ...
The truck roof would open up and he’d /she’d launch from inside truck ?
Don’t think this new version would be like that !
I also saw that the first flying manned Quadcopter is on the list for things to come in the near future ! ? Lord help us !!! ?

Rchawks · Sep 1, 2020

Will they have to make right turns to save on battery life?

Rchawks · Sep 1, 2020

One delivery at a time? What if a package next door or in the same apt complex?

lookout · Sep 1, 2020

You're concentrating too much on the logistics...

It's just nostalgia to have it delivered by drone...

Not gonna get there any quicker...

Rchawks · Sep 1, 2020

Isn’t that the point? Amazon is shooting for 30 min or less in a claim.

lookout · Sep 1, 2020

Amazon would then be in control of the drone regulations.

Whatever they mess up or get careless about will result in new regulations.

TShepp · Sep 1, 2020

I’m with what was posted above. I consider myself a fairly regular Amazon user (at least a couple packages a week) and I’m trying to think of what I would really need to have in 30 mins other than maybe a time I ran out of batteries and needed some next day. Fortunately we have a large distribution center only hours away so there are many items that are next day delivery which already impresses me quite a bit. Time to go search Google for the trials they’ve run....