FAA awards Amazon certificate to experiment with 'unmanned aircraft'

The Federal Aviation Administration says it has issued online retailer Amazon a certificate to experiment with unmanned aircraft for research, development and crew training.

The FAA said Thursday that under the provisions of the certificate, the flights must be conducted at 400 feet or below during daylight hours. The drone must also remain within the line of sight of the pilot and observer. The person flying the aircraft, meanwhile, must have a private pilot's certificate and current medical certification.

Amazon.com Inc. must also provide monthly data to the FAA on the number of flights conducted, pilot duty time per flight, unusual hardware or software malfunctions and other information.

The Seattle company had asked the FAA for permission to fly drones for package deliveries last July.