Online retail giant Amazon has been given the green light by the Civil Aviation Authority to roll out test flights out of the controller's sight of its delivery drones in the UK. The trial could pave the way for further roll out of drone deliveries to your home.
Amazon is one of six organisations taking part in the trial which also includes policing, emergency medical supply deliveries, offshore windfarm inspections and air traffic control too.
The CAA has chosen the trials to take place that will help safely integrate drones flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) of their operator into UK airspace, helping to make this vital extension to drone flying an everyday reality. The trials will gather key safety data, such as how drones detect and avoid other aircraft, the electronic signals they can send to be able to be visible to other airspace users and air traffic control.
Sophie O'Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: "These innovative trials mark a significant step forward in integrating drones safely into UK airspace. By supporting projects ranging from consumer deliveries to critical infrastructure inspections, we are gathering essential data to shape future policies and regulations.
"Our goal is to make drone operations beyond visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality, contributing to the modernisation of UK airspace and the incorporation of new technology into our skies."
Amazon Prime Air is the name given to the brand's delivery system, designed to safely get small packages to customers in less than an hour using drones. The future of Prime Air could see the delivery of fresh foods to your door.