Amazon drones to be tested outside

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Luis Gonzalez, Feature Editor

The day drones rule the sky is sooner than we might have expected. Amazon, an international company, announced their future delivery system plans to the U.S Federal Aviation Administration on July 9, 2014. Amazon hopes to deliver products to consumers’ front doors within 30 minutes of a click of a button sometime later this year, according to www.forbes.com.

The 1.4 billion dollar company claims Prime Air is capable of traveling up to 50mph; with a maximum payload of five pounds, an enormous technological achievement. A five pound product seems to be a narrow specification, but it is sufficient to deliver eighty-six percent of their products.

Personally I believe this is a brilliant innovation. Prime Air will make the company more efficient and profitable.

The only obstacle separating success from failure is the Federal Aviation Administration. I do not know why the government has their hands all over this technology. If the FAA does not allow Amazon to test trials outside, the company will transport Prime Air to another country.

The FAA argues that they are concerned about the safety of the public, and the airspace that the drones will occupy. Come on! What are the chances of a falling drone smashing a civilian? I understand there is still a possibility of a falling drone injuring someone, but it is most unlikely.

Amazon argues that they need the approval of the FAA to test their drones outdoors. The outdoor trials would help conclude whether it is safe, and how well Amazon would manage airspace.

Without the consent of the FAA to even test their idea, Amazon will in fact transport their research outside of the states.

That would be another American company shipping jobs and tax revenue away from the U.S economy. Amazon will hurt our economy if they leave. I hope the government allows Amazon to test their drones in the States. Either way the complexity of Prime Air would be impressive to see it pan out.