US drone delivery plans grounded

Amazon's plans to deliver by drone have been dealt a blow thanks to draft US legislation that would severely restrict their commercial use.

It was called the "octocopter" and it promised to fly anything from concert tickets to toys direct to your door inside half an hour.

But Amazon's ambitious plans for delivery by drone have been dealt a blow thanks to draft US legislation that would severely restrict their commercial use.

The US Federal Aviation Authority yesterday released new proposals that would effectively make it illegal for drones to fly outside the pilot's line of sight, a move that would significantly reduce their commercial reach.

It would also restrict night flights and restrict the ability to fly in densely populated areas. While the plans are still at draft stage, many companies fear they would reduce the potential of the technology and pull the plug on the most ambitious plans such as late-night food delivery, or dispatching drinks during a sports match or music festival.

For Amazon the news comes as a particular blow. The Seattle-based firm has been one of the pioneers of the technology with Prime Air, its drone delivery programme that aims to deliver packages to customers in 30 minutes.

The company has opened a testing facility in Cambridge and last year threatened to shift more of its drone testing outside the US unless it was given more permission to conduct outdoor trials. Paul Misener, Amazon's vice-president for global public policy, said the FAA proposals would not allow the company to go ahead with Prime Air in the US.

"We are committed to realising our vision for Prime Air and are prepared to deploy where we have the regulatory support we need," Mr Misener said.

The proposals are currently at consultation stage and not expected to be drafted until at least September this year.

The UK also has strict air regulations determined by the Civil Aviation Authority which bans the flying of drones over or within 150m of built-up areas. But the rules surrounding their use are not as close to the statute books as they seem to be in the US.

A report last November by the University of Birmingham Policy Commissions stated the use of drones in the UK will jump in the next 20 years, raising "significant safety, security, and privacy concerns".

The commission called for measures to protect citizens' privacy, but said unmanned aircraft could bring "significant" economic benefits.