The US Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) has approved the first in - sight drone flight . Drone flights are currently required to remain in the operating team’s sight to spot and avoid aircraft and other obstacles. As part of a joint program with the University of Alaska Fairbanks , a drone was flown over an oil pipeline to test beyond - visual - line - of - sight ( BVLOS ) drone ##s . In - sight flights can only travel under two miles , depending on visibility and drone size , whereas BVLOS flights can travel much further . The development is a big advance for large retailers like Target , which are able to make deliveries via drones , but the University of Alaska Fairbanks has prioritised the need for medical supply delivery and pipeline surveillance .
The US Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) has approved the first in - sight drone flight . As part of a joint program with the University of Alaska Fairbanks , a drone was flown over an oil pipeline to test beyond - visual - line - of - sight ( BVLOS ) drone ##s . In - sight flights can only travel under two miles , depending on visibility and drone size , whereas BVLOS flights can travel much further . The development is a big advance for large retailers like Target , which are able to make deliveries via drones , but the University of Alaska Fairbanks has prioritised the need for medical supply delivery and pipeline surveillance .