Regulator
UPS became the first company to get FAA approval to run as a drone delivery airline.
A regulator's decision · Sets UPS Flight Forward's stage
What the source says
“UPS became the first company to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate”
What it means
UPS Flight Forward, from UPS (with Matternet drones), is at stage 5 of 5 on our ladder: regulator-cleared or mass market. This event is one of the milestones that placed it there.
Human help: The maker hasn't said whether people help it remotely.
More on UPS Flight Forward
- The FAA gave UPS Flight Forward permission to fly drones beyond the operator's line of sight, so it could deliver small packages with Matternet M2 drones.
- UPS chief executive Carol Tomé played down drones, saying they cannot fly in wind or rain and have many problems.
- UPS Flight Forward and Matternet started two drone routes at Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina, carrying medicines and protective equipment for COVID-19 staff.
- UPS also flew medical supplies by drone to The Villages retirement community in Florida.
- UPS Flight Forward began a drone network between hospital buildings in North Carolina using Matternet M2 drones, moving blood samples, lab specimens and prescriptions.