Small UAV Coalition Welcomes Zipline as Member

Zipline International’s Membership Strengthens Coalition Commitment to the Continued Development of a Regulatory Framework for Commercial UAS Operations

The Small UAV Coalition is pleased to announce that Zipline International has joined the Coalition as an Associate member. Zipline’s operations to date, in the United States and around the world, demonstrate the tremendous social and consumer benefits from delivery of medical supplies and medicines by drones. The Coalition has long supported the Federal Aviation Administration’s authorization of package delivery, initially though waivers and exemptions, while progressing to airworthiness and operator certification. 

During the COVID pandemic, Zipline, in partnership with Novant Health, has delivered medical supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in North Carolina as part of the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP). Zipline is also among one of ten UAS companies for which the FAA has proposed special class airworthiness criteria.  

The Coalition is pleased to have Zipline join the Coalition at such a critical juncture in the FAA’s development of a regulatory framework that will authorize highly automated, beyond visual line of sight operations, at scale. Zipline’s unique expertise and experience will enhance the Coalition’s efforts as it continues to work with the FAA on forthcoming regulations and policies. 

Benjamin Schwartz, head of Global Central Government Affairs at Zipline, stated, “As the world’s first national-scale drone delivery service, Zipline looks forward to working with the Small UAV Coalition to expand our successful collaborations with industry partners in the health and logistics sector as well as partner with the Biden Administration to achieve safer, faster, cleaner, and more equitable health care in America.” 

For more information on the Small UAV Coalition, please visit www.smalluavcoalition.org