Unlock drone delivery's future! Learn the secrets of FAA Part 135 certification & how it's shaping the industry. See the pioneers!
Taking Flight: Unlocking the Secrets of FAA Part 135 for Drone Delivery
The future is buzzing – literally! We’re on the cusp of a drone delivery revolution, and the key to unlocking it all lies within a set of regulations: FAA Part 135. For years, we’ve watched drones evolve from hobbyist toys to powerful tools. Now, they’re poised to transform logistics, delivering everything from life-saving medicine to your next online shopping spree. But before our skies fill with delivery drones, companies need to navigate the complex airspace regulations, and Part 135 certification is the golden ticket.
Think of it like this: you wouldn’t just hop in your car and start driving commercially without a license and insurance, right? Same goes for drone delivery. Part 135 is essentially the FAA’s way of ensuring that drone delivery operations are safe, reliable, and integrated responsibly into our airspace. It’s a rigorous process, but absolutely essential for scaling up drone delivery from small-scale tests to widespread deployment.
So, what exactly is Part 135 in the context of drones, and why is everyone talking about it? We’ve scoured the YouTube skies and rounded up some insightful videos that shed light on this critical certification. Get ready to dive into the technical details, explore the pioneering companies leading the charge, and glimpse the exciting future of drone delivery that Part 135 is making possible.
Key Insights from the Cockpit: Part 135 Unveiled
Part 135: The Air Carrier Standard for Drones: Forget Part 107 for commercial delivery. As these videos highlight, true, scalable drone delivery – especially Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations – requires companies to operate as air carriers under FAA Part 135. This is a much higher bar than Part 107, demanding robust safety protocols, operational control, and crew (even remote pilots are considered crew!) management. Think of Part 135 as the FAA’s stamp of approval that says, "Yes, you’re serious about safety and can operate a drone delivery service responsibly."
Amazon, Zipline, and Wing: The Part 135 Pioneers: These aren’t just names; they’re the companies blazing the trail. We see in these videos how Amazon, Zipline, and Wing (Alphabet’s drone arm) have all secured Part 135 certifications. This is huge. It signifies that the FAA is indeed ready to certify drone delivery operations. These companies are setting precedents, learning by doing, and shaping the future regulatory landscape for everyone else. It’s like watching the early days of commercial aviation all over again, but with electric motors and propellers buzzing instead of roaring engines.
BVLOS is the Name of the Game: Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) is fine for hobby flying, but for drone delivery to be practical and efficient, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations are crucial. Part 135 certification is what enables companies like Amazon and Zipline to operate BVLOS, meaning their drones can fly longer distances, reach more customers, and truly revolutionize delivery logistics. Imagine drones zipping across town, over obstacles, delivering packages directly to your doorstep – that’s the BVLOS promise unlocked by Part 135.
Safety Management Systems (SMS) are Non-Negotiable: One video dives into FAA Part 5 and Safety Management Systems (SMS). This is the behind-the-scenes framework that Part 135 operators must implement. SMS is all about proactively managing safety risks, identifying potential hazards, and constantly improving safety procedures. It’s not just about following rules; it’s about building a safety culture into every aspect of drone operations. This is critical for public trust and ensuring the long-term success of drone delivery.
From Jet Charters to Drones: Part 135’s Broad Reach: It’s fascinating to see how Part 135 isn’t just a "drone thing." Videos discussing jet charter businesses under Part 135 reveal that these regulations are well-established for manned aviation and are now being adapted for the drone world. This highlights that the FAA is applying proven safety frameworks to drone operations, ensuring a consistent level of safety across different types of air carriers.
The Buzz on the Horizon: Drone Delivery Trends
Looking at these videos, a few trends become clear. Firstly, the momentum is building. More companies are pursuing Part 135, investment is flowing into drone delivery tech (like Wingcopter’s $42 million raise!), and public awareness is growing. Secondly, the focus is shifting from just getting certified to scaling operations. Questions about profitability, noise pollution, and public acceptance are becoming increasingly important as drone delivery moves from pilot programs to real-world deployments. And thirdly, the technology is rapidly advancing. Companies like Archer Aviation with their eVTOL aircraft are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, blurring the lines between drones and traditional aviation and potentially opening up new avenues for Part 135 certified operations in urban air mobility.
The Future is Now: Explore the Videos and Join the Drone Revolution
Part 135 might sound like just another set of regulations, but for us drone enthusiasts, it’s so much more. It’s the framework that’s making our dreams of widespread drone delivery a reality. It’s the pathway for innovation, safety, and the next exciting chapter in aviation.
Ready to delve deeper? Scroll down to watch the video highlights and get the inside scoop on FAA Part 135 certification and the soaring future of drone delivery! Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, safely and responsibly, one flight at a time.
View the curated videos below
Is JSX an Airline? Part 121 vs Part 135 Operations // Air Carriers & Charter Ops // Legal Loophole?Aviation 101 with Laura5,373 views | 142 | January 20 2023 14:43:13 (14 comments)[ Read more … ]
**Update 6/18/2024: Is the FAA Targeting JSX? Do Part 135 Ops Need Dispatchers? FAA Proposes Part 110 Definitions NPRM https://youtu.be/1B5x7t1wR6o
**Update 8/29/2023: https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/288103/ It seems the FAA is looking at shutting down this regulatory “loophole.”** Is JSX an airline? I decided to delve into this question after looking at their website and seeing what seems to be a scheduled service with very “nice” airplanes (Embraer 135s and 145s) with only 30 seats each. How is this not a Part 121 air carrier? I found out through a little digging around! This video will help you understand the differences between Part 121 and Part 135 operators focusing at a high level at regulatory differences. Please note: this is NOT intended to be an attack on JSX or their model of operation. It is merely a springboard for discussion on the differences between the two sets of regulations and their implications.
For further reading on the differences and the NTSB sources: https://www.acsf.aero/all-media-posts/are-your-charter-flights-safe/ https://safetycompass.wordpress.com/2020/12/14/the-safety-of-part-135-flights-why-should-you-care/ https://aerocorner.com/blog/part-121-vs-part-135/ https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Pages/AviationDataStats2019.aspx# https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20211117.aspx
Check out my other videos especially the one about takeoff alternates for Part 121 air carriers and Part 117 duty time rules and other Part 121 regulations.
Visit my website at www.theaviationvault.com to learn much more about aircraft dispatchers, airlines, and dispatch history!
Learn more about LeTourneau University’s aviation program at www.letu.edu/fly or about our all-online Aviation Studies degree program at http://bit.ly/AviationOnline.
Always remember that Laura, when you get right down to it, is just a pilot and a dispatcher. She is explaining facts from the source materials but may be incorrect or out of date. You should always follow your primary guidance (Aircraft manuals, government regulations, etc.) before listening to anything from this YouTube channel. These videos are intended for educational purposes only.
Drone News: Amazon Drone Delivery Approved. Jetpacks or drone? Don’t fly over wildfires!Pilot Institute2,047 views | 142 | September 4 2020 13:07:42 (17 comments)[ Read more … ]
This week in Drone News: Amazon get approved for their Part 135 Drone Delivery operation. Jetpack dangerously flying near commercial planes. Forest fires and the difficulty for the FAA to enforce current regulation.
00:00 – Introduction 00:27 – Amazon gets Part 135 certificate 03:21 – Jetpacks are the new drones! 04:46 – Don’t fly near wildfires!
Script/Notes Amazon gets Part 135 Certificate The FAA announced this week that it approved Amazon’s Part 135 certificate application. Amazon is now the 3rd company to receive such approval, joining UPS and Google/Alphabet Wings. The certificate will allow Amazon to use drones for delivery beyond visual line of sight. Amazon’s goal is “30 minute deliveries”
Still Many questions What is the profitability of this when payload is limited. How will they deal with sky pirates? Will the FAA and other law enforcement agencies finally enforce laws against drone shootings, when endorsement has been virtually non existent for “civilians”. What about noise pollution?
Jetpack over LA! A fun story to start the week end. Two airline crew reported what looked like a man in a jet pack near LAX at 3000 feet. Air Traffic Control is heard telling other aircraft to avoid the area. Wonder if they had LAANC approval.
Don’t fly near Wildfires! Here’s my yearly PSA: don’t fly near wildfires! Most fires in the country are covered by a TFR so that firefighting aircraft can do their job without having to worry about anyone else flying. If a drone is spotted, all airborne activities have to be stopped. Firefighting efforts are extremely time sensitive and this could cause not only more damage but also could lead to fatalities.
Someone recently flew their drones over the Bighorn fire in Arizona. The FAA said they “were not able to conclusively determine that the suspected drone operator was the pilot”. This reflects the difficulties the FAA is facing difficulties in enforcing the regulation they have in place. https://dronelife.com/2020/09/01/faa-wont-charge-rogue-drone-pilot-who-stopped-firefighting/
Drone News: Zipline gets part 135, Wingcopter raises 42 million, Amazon Secret, Photography CoursePilot Institute4,335 views | 301 | June 24 2022 12:00:14 (42 comments)[ Read more … ]
This week in drone news: Zipline has gotten their PArt 135 certificate from the FAA, The FAA is soliciting public comments about Zipline’s proposed drone deliveries, Wingcopter has raised 42 million to expand deliveries, Amazon’s announcement a surprise for the small town where their deliveries will begin, and finally, we’ve released our Photography course!
Enroll in the Photography Course here: https://pilotinstitute.com/course/drone-photo-video-made-easy/
00:00 Introduction 00:37 Zipline Gets Part 135 Certification 01:37 Zipline and FAA Public Comments 02:21 Wingcopter gets $42 Million to Expand Deliveries 03:23 Amazon Delivery Announcement a Surprise to Residents
Check out our gear list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/pilotinstitute
Our Other Channels – PIXL Drone Show: drone-related podcast, posts every Tuesday morning. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbeSmbjvE0etKry8Nk2n0CQ – Pilot Institute Airplane: our airplane channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIgBjGoM-yn_3bH8Qr9xkXA
Our courses – Part 107 Made Easy: the most comprehensive ground school online. https://bit.ly/2AkRWq0 – Drone Business Made Easy: start your drone business with a solid foundation. https://bit.ly/3dVT55T – Drone Flying 101: the perfect course for beginners. https://bit.ly/2XUy3Pc – Drone Maneuvers Mastery: become a better pilot with these 50 maneuvers designed to improve your flying skills. https://bit.ly/3hkWkG3 – Cinematic FPV Drone From Scratch: build your own cinematic machine with this course. https://bit.ly/37oOfeG
Get Pilot Institute Gear – T-shirt or Long Sleeve T: https://amzn.to/30CLtBw – Polo shirt: https://kats-custom-embroidery-llc.myshopify.com/collections/pilot-institute-gear
The FAA on Tuesday approved Zipline to operate as an air carrier under part 135 Zipline is the first company to a its 135 cert under the FAA’s BEYOND
programAlong with Zipline receiving their part 135 certificate, the FAA is asking for public comments on package deliveries in the Pea Ridge Arkansas area Ziplane’s proposed area covers 1200 square miles in NW Arkansas, with a maximum of 20 flights per day Comments will be open for 14 days, the proposal can be viewed here: https://www.faa.gov/advancedoperations/nepaanddrones/zipline-pea-ridge-environmental-assessment Send comments to: 9-FAA-Drone-Environmental@faa.gov https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/nepa_and_drones
Wingcopter has announced they raised 42 million dollars to expand drone delivery beyond medicine. The company hopes to use this money to begin deliveries of things like groceries. “At Wingcopter, we create efficient and sustainable drone solutions to save and improve lives. For this, we are hiring passionate pioneers with whom we build what has not existed before,” said Tom Pl mmer, co-founder and CEO of Wingcopter. “The new funding, combined with growing revenues, puts us in an excellent position to establish our industry-leading drone delivery solution with our customers around the globe to optimize supply chains.” https://www.freightwaves.com/news/wingcopter-raises-42m-to-expand-beyond-medical-drone-deliveries Currently Zipline is making deliveries every 4 minutes (Worldwide), and is working with Walmart in the US.
Amazon’s plan to launch their drone deliveries later this year in Lockeford, CA came as a surprise to many folks in the town It appears that this, as with many Amazon ventures, was kept secret in an attempt to prevent backlash. Amazon is apparently reaching out to those within 4 miles of the distribution center to determine who is interested in trying drone deliveries. Packages will be under 5lbs, and will be limited to certain goods. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/jun/21/amazons-drones-plan-a-surprise-to-residents/https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3531431-faa-approves-drone-delivery-from-zipline/
What You Need to Know About Jet Charter Businesses | Deal BreakdownAcquisitions Anonymous Podcast392 views | 10 | September 6 2024 12:48:07 (1 comments)[ Read more … ]
In this episode of Acquisitions Anonymous, hosts Bill D’Alessandro and Heather Endresen evaluate a private jet charter business with a $2 million EBITDA. They explore whether the company operates on an asset-light model by leasing jets or owns the aircraft, and how each model affects profitability. The discussion covers key aspects of FAA Part 135 certification, maintenance, and the growing demand for private jet services. With insights into corporate, government, and individual clientele, Bill and Heather dive deep into the complexities of the private aviation industry, including Bill’s fascinating story about the origins of EBITDA.
Key Points Discussed:
– Asset-Light vs. Asset-Heavy – The pros and cons of owning or leasing jets in the private aviation space. – FAA Part 135 Certification – Understanding the regulations and how they affect business operations. – Market Growth – The increasing demand for private jet services and the forecasted growth of the industry. – EBITDA and Private Aviation – How the metric was developed and why it might not be appropriate for capital-intensive businesses.
✉️ Subscribe to our Newsletter and get more deals like this every week: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter
🎧 Listen to our full episodes on your favorite podcast platforms: https://www.acquanon.com/episodes
Thanks to this week’s sponsor:
CloudBookkeeping offers adaptable solutions to businesses that want to focus on growth with a “client service first” approach. They offer a full suite of accounting services, including sophisticated reporting, QuickBooks software solutions, and full-service payroll options.
For inquiries or suggestions, please email us at contact@acquanon.com
Archer Aviation ($ACHR) Completes Transition Flight and Continues FAA Certification ProgressGreen Stock News1,426 views | 38 | June 12 2024 14:10:54 (1 comments)[ Read more … ]
Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR), a leader in eVTOL aircraft development, has announced that its Midnight aircraft successfully completed transition flying at over 100 mph.
Transition flying involves vertical takeoff, forward acceleration, shifting to wing-borne flight, and vertical landing. Archer has now achieved this milestone with two full-scale eVTOL aircraft. At approximately 6,500 lbs, Midnight is one of the largest eVTOLs to complete transition, essential for carrying commercially viable passenger payloads.
Midnight’s flight tests will continue with simulated commercial routes, and expanded speed and endurance tests.
Archer also announced that the company has received Part 135 and Part 145 certificates from the FAA. Midnight is in the final phase of its Type Certification program, with piloted flight testing expected later this year.
Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO stated: “Transitioning two generations of full-scale eVTOL aircraft in less than 2 years is another remarkable achievement for Archer’s team. This shows we continue to successfully execute against our plan to create the most efficient path to market with an aircraft that is designed for certification and to be manufactured efficiently at scale.”
Archer is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility networks.
Shares of Archer Aviation trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol ACHR. For more information, or to sign up for our free daily newsletter, visit www.greenstocknews.com
FAA Part 5 SMS Interim Guidance for Part 121, 135 and Air Tour Operators.S3 Consultants LLC58 views | 4 | January 17 2025 08:00:46 (1 comments)[ Read more … ]
Welcome to S3 Consultants LLC, your trusted partner in safety and security management consulting and auditing.
In this module, we will address the FAA N8900.700 National Policy with an effective date of May 29, 2024. Subject line is Interim Guidance Based on the Amendments to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 5.
We specialize in helping small businesses and transportation organizations — including aviation, bus, commuter rail, light rail, occupational safety, and streetcar systems — ultimately helping you design, implement, and improve you Safety Management Systems (SMS).
Our channel is here to provide expert insights, practical advice, and proven strategies to navigate complex safety and compliance challenges. Whether you’re looking to enhance operational safety, ensure regulatory compliance, ensuring a safe workplace, or just starting the journey to build a proactive safety culture, we’ve got you covered.
Like, Share, and Subscribe for value add tips, industry updates, and actionable solutions tailored to your organization’s unique needs.
**Think we did a great job, then buy us a cup of caffeine to keep us going! We’ve partnered with KO-FI.com to support fellow veterans.
By purchasing a cup of coffee, a portion of the proceeds will go to Navy and Marine Corps Relief funds.
Let S3 Consultants LLC help you move forward with confidence.
Contact us today to learn more: 🌐 Visit our website: www.s3consults.com 📧 Email us: p_johnson@s3consults.com 📞 Call us: 928.581.1881
Let’s build safer systems together.
About the Author
Patryk Alexander is an associate copy editor at 4kVideoDrones.com, where he sharpens articles and helps keep the website's content clean and error-free. With a background in creative writing, Patryk brings a unique perspective to his editing that helps make 4kVideoDrones.com's content engaging and informative. When he's not editing or writing, Patryk enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors.
