Even as the FAA struggles to formulate drone regulations, Internet giant Google says it will begin delivering packages by drone sometime in 2017. David Vos, who leads Project Wing for Google’s parent, Alphabet, said the company is in discussions with the FAA to set up an air traffic control system for drones that would use cellular and Internet technology to deconflict drone traffic at altitudes below 500 feet, according to a report this week by Reuters.
“Our goal is to have commercial business up and running in 2017,” Vos said at the ATCA Conference in Washington on Monday. Alphabet is moving quickly, having announced Project Wing only in 2014 with videos of flight research taking place in Australia. In the U.S., Project Wing has partnered with NASA for further flight trials.
Vos claims with the FAA’s recent announcement requiring drone registration, a system to separate small drones from other aircraft could be functioning within 12 months. This system would use wireless and Internet technology, including cellphone apps, to identify drones and keep them clear of other aircraft in controlled airspace. Google, Vos said, would like to see Class G airspace carved out for drones, which would allow unmanned flight over populated areas while avoiding aircraft flying in that airspace, especially helicopters.
