Clear for takeoff? Amazon gets green light to test-fly delivery drones in UK

Trial in Orkney to test machine flying out of human controller's line of sight could pave way for home deliveries

Amazon has been given the green light to test-fly drones beyond a human controller's line of sight in the UK, paving the way for using the machines to deliver packages to homes.

The online retailer is one of six organisations taking part in a trial led by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with other projects including the inspection of offshore windfarms, air traffic control, policing and delivering emergency medical supplies.