Amazon Asks FAA For Permission To Fly Drones
NEW YORK (CBSMiami/AP) — Amazon has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to use drones to help deliver packages to customers.
The drone service is supposed to deliver packages in 30 minutes or less.
The online retailer created a media frenzy in December when it outlined a plan on CBS' "60 Minutes" to deliver packages with self-guided aircrafts that seemed straight out of science fiction.
In a letter to the FAA dated Wednesday, Amazon said it is developing aerial vehicles as part of Amazon Prime Air. The aircraft can travel 50 miles per hour and carry loads of up to 5 pounds.
The FAA allows hobbyists and model aircraft makers to fly drones, but commercial use is banned. Amazon is asking for an exemption so it can test its drones in the U.S.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
RELATED CONTENT:
