For the first time, the Federal Aviation Administration has approved multiple operators to fly commercial drones in the same Dallas airspace without someone there to observe them.
The authorization will allow drones to deliver packages to doorsteps around Dallas. The drones will use an Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology to assist with “traffic management” in the airspace not covered by FAA air traffic services.
“Typically, when operating drones, the drone pilot must be able to always see the aircraft. However, new advancements in air traffic technology and procedures are providing a key step toward making these Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights routine,” said the FAA in a news release.
“Using UTM services, companies can share data and planned flight routes with other authorized airspace users. This allows the operators to safely organize and manage drone flights around each other in shared airspace. All flights occur below 400 feet altitude and away from any crewed aircraft,” the FAA added.
Drones can be used to deliver groceries, food, and medicine.
Walmart deployed drones in some areas of Fort Worth in late June as part of its delivery service, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Drone service allows companies to deliver products quickly, sometimes in as little as 15 minutes after the order is placed.
Earlier this year, Walmart announced its plans to expand its drone delivery service area to include 75% of DFW households.
It is unclear how such delivery services will comply with Texas law, which prohibits drone photography of private citizens without consent under the Texas Privacy Act, per DX.