Amazon Gets Commercial Drone Approval

The FAA announced Thursday that Amazon received one of 30 exemptions granted to fly drones for potential deliveries. The federal government has prohibited commercial drone use until the FAA develops regulation. Amazon is now one of 128 companies permitted to use drones for uses such as conducting aerial surveys or movie production. The company will test out Amazon Prime Air, a 30-minute delivery service that can carry 5-pound payloads flying at more than 50 mph. The company was granted initial approval last month, but it took so long that its drone technology became obsolete, according to a company executive.