Drone delivery of medications: Review of the landscape and legal considerations

Abstract

Background. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a UAS and the equipment necessary for safe and efficient operation of that aircraft as a “small unmanned aircraft system.”² Commercial drones for delivery will likely be of 1 of 2 models (multirotor and fixed-wing), each with pros and cons. The decision of which model to use depends on the nature of the delivery.³ If the delivery requires hovering to slowly drop a package, for example, a multirotor UAS would be preferred because it has better stability.⁴ The multirotor UAS would also provide the ability to maneuver through tight spaces, which could be advantageous in an urban area with tall buildings. However, this type of UAS has much lower speed capabilities and shorter flight times than fixed-wing models. Fixed-wing models are more effective for carrying larger payloads and traveling faster and for greater distances.