Picture credit: Zipline International
The authorisations allow Zipline International and Wing Aviation to deliver packages while keeping their drones safely separated using Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology.
Advances in air traffic technology and procedures are providing steps towards making Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights routine, moving on from the drone pilot needing to see the aircraft.
Using UTM services means companies can share data and planned flight routes with other authorised airspace users.
Operators can safely organise and manage drone flights around each other in shared airspace and all flights occur below 400 feet altitude, away from crewed aircraft.
The first flights using UTM are expected to start in August with more authorisations issued in the Dallas area soon.
The FAA is on track to release the Normalizing UAS BVLOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) this year, which will enable drone operators to expand operations while maintaining the same high level of safety as traditional aviation following strong Congressional support in the recent FAA reauthorisation.
As drones are different from traditional aviation, the FAA says its approach to the new NPRM has evolved and it is working with the industry to ensure operations are safe and can be scaled as the sector grows.