As passenger airlines face cutbacks due to the coronavirus, the growing drone delivery industry could provide a lifeline for some crew members while ensuring our drone delivery future is as safe as possible.
Flying the MQ-1 Predator UAV – Military Drone Pilot Training
The drone delivery business is expected to grow rapidly as companies like Amazon and UPS enter the space. But while drone delivery is still in its testing phase, the increasing number of unmanned vehicles in the sky raises safety concerns. Delivery drones are larger and heavier than hobby versions, and can pose a risk to people and property if they crash or strike a manned aircraft.
“Manned aircraft pilots and personnel have a lot to offer the industry,” Tony Pucciarella, president of MissionGO, a drone delivery company, said in a phone interview. “They bring a background in safety and performance that will be absolutely essential as we expand.”
On Monday, Amazon received federal approval to operate its fleet of Prime Air delivery drones. The move means Amazon can move forward with testing its unmanned vehicles, though the company has not yet announced an exact schedule for deployment.
