A few days ago, UPS became the first logistics company (or start-up tech company) to gain federal approval for a drone delivery airline.

What that means, among other things, is that its drones can fly at night, carry cargo that weighs more than 55 points, and can fly its aircraft out of sight of the operator's eyes.

These are all big steps for a technology that has been advancing briskly the past few years. Remember 5 years ago when Steve Lefkovits and the AIM Conference introduced our industry to drones?

I spoke with UPS today and another break-through drone company called Flirtey last week about the likelihood of drones delivering to apartment communities -- and when.

The answer is both complicated and fascinating. Definitely worth monitoring.

By the way, in my article below, these drone companies also debunked several myths about drones such as noise level and whether they would be shot out of the sky by curious citizens on the ground looking to steal the loot, or be pestered by birds. Welcome to the 21st century.

https://www.naahq.org/news-publications/units/october-2019/article/10-things-drone-deliveries-apartment-communities