FAA Approves First US Drone Delivery Company

Posted on 4/24/2019 by Lauren Scott

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Wing Aviation LLC as the first delivery drone operator in the US by certifying the Alphabet-owned company as a commercial airline.

The announcement came after months of implementing safety measures at the recommendation of the FAA. Before they could be certified as an airline, Wing was required to write safety manuals and training routines as well as develop a safety hierarchy. The process for commercial drone approval is expected to be significantly quicker for future companies, however, since the FAA has now established which guidelines drone companies must adhere to.

Wing, which began as an offshoot of Google, plans to start making deliveries to rural Virginia towns in the next few months. Currently, Wing has approval to deliver goods from local businesses to communities in Christiansburg and Blacksburg. However, Wing may be able to expand its services to other areas with the FAA’s approval.

Can Drones Transport Hazmat?

With the FAA’s approval for the first commercial drones, the next question on our minds is, “What can drones transport exactly?” For now, it seems drones won’t be carrying hazmat at least. According to the FAA’s Final Rule addition to the 14 CFR on June 28, 2016, “No carriage of hazardous materials” shall be permitted via drone.

So, if you see a drone overhead, rest assured that it won’t be carrying hazmat anytime soon.

IATA Training for Hazmat Air Shippers

If you need to ship hazmat by air, it seems a traditional airplane is still your best bet! Be confident you know the latest IATA DGR rules for hazmat air shipments at the Hazardous Materials Air Shipper Certification Workshop. Covering the latest IATA requirements, this workshop will help you build on your 49 CFR knowledge to master the unique, additional rules for hazmat air shipments.

Workshops are starting May 8 in Chicago, Dallas, Boston, and more! Can’t make the workshop? Check out all of your IATA air shipper options—like a 24/7 online course and a live, instructor-led webinar.

Tags: airplane, delivery, DOT, drone, drones, FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, IATA, transportation

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.

Jim Jani

Environmental Coordinator

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Ace hazmat inspections. Protect personnel. Defend against civil and criminal penalties. How? See the self-audit "best practices" for hazardous materials shippers.

Download

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.