Introduction
The wing aviation has helped thousands of deliveries, be it direct to home or emergency ones, to Virginia residents starting in 2019. However, Wing has been facing several issues which is why they need room for improvement. The news reported that a new set of rules for drone operations are needed to be drafted. The request was made by Alphabet’s Wing Aviation to the US Federal Aviation Administration, which will in return help connect small cities in the US like Virginia.
Alphabet’s Wing Aviation services
Wing Aviation delivery services is owned by Alphabet and even though Wing is not the first one to enable drone technology in delivering parcels, it is certainly the first one to get the FAA’s support and approvals. There are currently two known partners of Wing – FedEx Express (pilot Walgreens) and Sugar Magnolia of Virginia– a local retail shop selling a wide range of home essentials. Through sugar Magnolia and Wing, customers can easily order items like books and chocolates to get delivered via drones to their doorsteps instantly
About the US Federal Aviation Administration
The US FAA or the Federal Aviation Administration is a part of transportation and civil aviation in the US that also looks after the Nation’s airspace to maintain safety standards in aviation. Although the primary responsibility of the US FAA is to ensure the safety of civil aviation, it has other responsibilities:
- Encouraging civil aeronautics and supporting new Aviation technologies.
- Aviation accidents are investigated by the FAA alongside National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), another US government agency that runs independently.
- Certify aircraft.
- Controlling air traffic and providing a well-regulated system for civil and military aircraft.
- Developing new steps that help curb aircraft noise.
Wing Aviation’s request to the Federal Aviation Administration
Wing further explained to the FAA that it has already improved the safety and capacity norms by making substantial investments. The new investments were so effective that in a total period of 17 months, there wasn’t a single accident.
Wing asked the FAA for some exemptions with drones as a chance to expand the operations while fixing whatever has been lacking and immediately improving things. The agency has said that any further action will be based on the public as it looks forth to consider any kind of public comments via the petition.
What does Wing Aviation want?
Wing wants more and more people in America to take advantage of drone technology. The already established rules are somewhat becoming a barrier to the goal and limit drone technology from reaching people that could otherwise benefit from it. As such, it believes that once the requests are approved, it can rampantly scale up.
As per Wing Aviation, it will expand its operations while it continues operating a current model used in commercial operations as both have likely operational characteristics. The FAA approval that will consolidate pilot operations through local facilities remotely is what Wing asks for. Its motive is simple – regional operations that are also able to control aircraft on a larger scale with safety.
As it is the US FAA that controls most of the industry, Wing requires permission to permit the alternatives that Wing is planning. Moreover, the FAA received another request regarding operator-like checking, which indicated that the checks during the interim restrictions should be conducted only every 12 months and not 3 months.
New Federal Aviation Administration rules
The new FAA rules were officially announced in favor of Wing Aviation. It had now approved the usage of smaller drones that could fly over people and even after sunset without the need for waivers from authorities. Nevertheless, with new rules came a few new challenges. Firstly, the recently drafted rules were creating security issues as the remote identification technology had a part to play. Also, it became essential to identify drones from the ground itself.
Summary
The American Federal Aviation Agency received a request from Alphabet’s Wing Aviation division for the renewal of several drone regulations. Such an action can expand operations further to smaller cities like Virginia. In requesting the FAA for exemptions from various drone regulations, Wing stated that it was looking to extend and improve the existing operations to serve more communities.
According to Wing, when its operations grow, it wants to employ a version that is relatively similar in its operational features and has demonstrated to be reliable in commercial operations. To identify and allow this alternate aircraft version, however, the FAA also has a major role.
Frequently asked questions
The drone itself picks up the parcel upon the creation of an order from the delivery facility. It then elevates up to 45 mts from the ground and keeps going until it reaches the delivery address which would roughly take a couple of minutes only.
The drone is smart enough to pick up and deliver the product to the address. Firstly, it will descend vertically as it nears the area and scans to confirm the address. Once it has successfully found the address, it will drop the parcel from 12 feet above.
Wing’s drones can carry boxes of 5 pounds and travel 9 miles. And although the system is completely automatic, the space has to be clear for the drone to drop the parcel.
The wing is run by Alphabet, which makes aerial delivery of parcels highly effective.
No, Wing delivery by drones is currently free of cost.
Also Explore About
Amenaza de Tormenta Eléctrica Intensa
Unveiling the Potential of accessiBe Glassdoor for Engaged Employers
