Latest News Updates From Alan Levin

Government, Business, Technology, Autonomous, For-Hire

FAA Clears UPS Drones for Longer Flights

Two more companies including UPS have been granted approval to fly drones beyond the sight of ground operators in a key step that could eventually enable widespread package delivery.

September 6, 2023
Government, Safety

Vacancies Common Among Heads of Transportation Agencies

Three of the major U.S. transportation safety agencies are without permanent leaders as the U.S. contends with toxic railway spills, near-collisions on runways and rising traffic deaths.

June 28, 2023
Government, Safety, Logistics

FAA’s Acting Chief Announces Plan to Step Down

Billy Nolen, acting administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, is stepping down after just over a year on the job.

April 24, 2023
Business, Technology, Autonomous

First Aerial Delivery Drone Granted Design Approval by FAA

U.S. aviation regulators approved designs for the first flying drone built specifically for shipping packages, a major step forward for the fledgling remote delivery industry.

September 7, 2022
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Alphabet’s Wing Develops Fleet of New Drone Prototypes

Alphabet Inc.’s Wing subsidiary has developed a fleet of new drone prototypes designed to more efficiently deliver packages ranging from small pill bottles to items weighing as much as 7 pounds.

July 14, 2022
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Wing to Begin Biggest US Drone-Delivery Test in Texas

Alphabet Inc.’s Wing is set to begin the largest drone-delivery test program so far in the U.S., starting April 7 in the Dallas suburbs.

April 4, 2022
Business, Technology, Equipment, Autonomous

Alphabet’s Wing Elevates Adam Woodworth to CEO

Alphabet Inc.’s Wing unit elevated its leading technology official to head the company as it seeks to rapidly expand its drone delivery operations, including in the Dallas suburbs.

February 15, 2022
Business, Technology, Autonomous

Alphabet’s Wing Nears 100,000th Package Delivery

Alphabet Inc.’s Wing subsidiary is about to reach a milestone in the fledgling drone-delivery business: Any day now it will deliver its 100,000th package to a customer.

August 25, 2021
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous

NTSB’s Jennifer °®¶¹´«Ã½ndy Says Automated Driving Claims Erode Public Trust

The nation’s new chief accident investigator wants to send a message: growing public confusion over automated driving systems in the U.S. is threatening to undermine the potential safety benefits of the technology.

August 20, 2021
Government, Business, Technology, Logistics, Autonomous

Alphabet Jumps Into Drone Air-Traffic Control With Flight App

Alphabet Inc.’s drone-delivery venture, Wing, is releasing free software for U.S. drone users to get permission to fly near sensitive areas such as airports.

June 29, 2021