Delivery drones: FAA approves Alphabet-owned Wing for flight
  • 5 years ago
WASHINGTON — Alphabet-owned Wing has now become the first company in the US to get approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to use drones for delivering goods, Reuters reports.

According to a Medium blog post by Wing, the delivery firm has officially become the first drone company to receive an Air Carrier Certification from the FAA.

The blog post went on to explain that the certificate would allow them to start a commercial service of delivering goods to American homes.

Each drone weighs about 5 kg and will be able to carry packages weighing up to 1.5 kg, according to Wing's website. The drones are able to fly roughly 20 km per round trip.

While delivering, the drone hovers around 7 meters above the ground and slowly lowers the package. Delivery goods are attached to a line.

The package automatically disconnects from the line when the goods touch the ground and then the drone flies away, allowing the customer to pick up the package.

Wing has already begun its delivery service in the north of Canberra, Australia and is set to begin a trial in Helsinki, Finland, Reuters reports.
Recommended