Part 135 UAS operator CEOs BEWARE of the DETAILS
According to the Harvard Business School, “attention to detail” is not one of the 10 Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs. By all measures listed in the below ZIPLINE International’s press release, Keller Renaud Cliffton its co-founder and CEO, indicate that he has all ten attributes.
The PR statement proudly announces that Zipline was “first part 135 certification issued under the FAA’s BEYOND program.” Thus adding the authority to serve many markets with its Beyond Visual Line of Sight UAS immediare delivery services.
However, the second artcle below suggests that there are consequences for less focus on the collateral requirements of holding that authority, to wit, failing “to subject 10 employees who performed safety-sensitive work to random drug and alcohol testing” per FAA notice of proposed civil penalty. This obligation was established in the related role on 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 120, §§ 120.109(B) AND 120.217(C). As explained by the FAA
“Drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive aviation employees helps PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY AND KEEP OUR SKIES SAFE. Testing is required by the Omnibus Transportation Employees Testing Act of 1991 and by DOT and FAA regulations (49 CFR part 40 and 14 CFR part 120).”
The careful implementation of such a detail may not be the direct reponsibility of the CEO; however, assuring that such a safety protection should be on every Part 135 UAS company. The establishment of the policies, processes, procedures and paperwork IS BEST done by a subject matter expert, who knows how to do more than pass the initial FAA approval, but , equally importantly, has created long term, effective DRUG and Alcohol Testing programs.
And oh by the way, there are many. Many more CFRs that impact safety and for which the FAA is vigilant in its surveillance and enforcement.
Team Zipline
Following FAA approval, Zipline will launch the longest range and most complex commercial drone delivery operations in the United States. Zipline is the first to receive air carrier certification under BEYOND, the FAA UAS integration program focused on BVLOS
San Francisco, CA — JUNE 21, 2022 — Zipline, the global leader in instant logistics, today announced it has RECEIVED U.S. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) PART 135 AIR CARRIER CERTIFICATION to operate in the U.S. Zipline is now authorized to complete the longest range on-demand commercial drone deliveries in the U.S., with operations covering the largest area and greatest distance of any uncrewed commercial aircraft delivery system (UAS) in the country. This is the first part 135 certification issued under the FAA’s BEYOND program, an initiative designed to safely integrate BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT (BVLOS) drone operations into U.S. airspace.
Zipline designs, manufactures and operates the world’s largest automated, on-demand delivery service. To date, the company has flown more than 23 million autonomous miles, including BVLOS operations, and completed more than 325,000 commercial deliveries with its electric aircraft. Zipline currently operates with Walmart in the U.S., with Toyota Tsusho Corporation in Japan and at national scale in Rwanda and Ghana, where it serves more than 2,000 health care facilities. WITH PART 135 CERTIFICATION, THE COMPANY CAN SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND its U.S. service with its partners, including Novant Health, Cardinal Health, Intermountain Healthcare, and Magellan Rx Management.
“ZIPLINE’S SUSTAINABLE INSTANT DELIVERY SYSTEM IS TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE AND RETAIL,” said KELLER RINAUDO CLIFFTON, CO-FOUNDER & CEO AT ZIPLINE. “Today, on average, Zipline makes a delivery every four minutes—ensuring people get access to the products they need, the moment they need them. With our part 135 certification, and in close collaboration with our partners and the FAA, we are one step closer to making SAFE, clean and quiet instant delivery a reality for communities across the U.S.”
Under this new certification, Zipline will begin flying routes of up to 26 miles roundtrip, including through Class D airspace. This service is the most complex in the U.S., and is authorized to fly over people, in controlled airspace and beyond visual line of sight. Under the FAA’s oversight, Zipline will work to expand its service to meet rising demand across new geographies and use cases, furthering its mission to transform the way goods move so that all people can access exactly what they need, when they need it, as easily as sending a text message. In doing so, Zipline will also help reduce congestion and emissions. In fact, a recent real-world sustainability analysis determined that Zipline deliveries reduce carbon emissions by up to 98 percent compared to traditional delivery methods.
Initial flights will operate out of Zipline’s hub IN KANNAPOLIS, NORTH CAROLINA, which is capable of serving people within a nearly 8,000 square mile area and delivering half a ton of supplies per day. From this facility, Zipline will begin operations with its partners Novant Health, Magellan Rx Management, and Cardinal Health later this month.
Zipline is a partner of the NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, one of eight programs in the country selected by the FAA to participate in the BEYOND program and pave the way for safe, routine drone use in the National Airspace System. North Carolina partners have achieved many national firsts and flown an impressive amount of missions since the FAA launched its integration initiative in 2017.
In addition to operations in North Carolina, the company plans to LAUNCH DELIVERIES IN UTAH WITH ITS PARTNER INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE later this year, and expand flights with Walmart in Arkansas, which began in November under FAA part 107.
Part 135 certification follows a period of record global growth for Zipline. The company has delivered over one million COVID-19 vaccines in Ghana, launched delivery of thousands of retail products in partnership with Walmart and fresh food delivery in Arkansas, begun operations in Nigeria as well as with Toyota Tsusho Corporation in Japan, announced entry into Ivory Coast and Kenya and expanded operations in Rwanda to become the world’s first 24/7 instant logistics service.
About Zipline
Zipline is the global instant logistics leader. Our purpose is to inspire possibility, transform systems and serve all people equally. We design, manufacture and operate the world’s largest automated on-demand delivery service, which to date has made more than 325,000 commercial deliveries containing more than five million units of vaccines and other medical products, reducing delivery emissions up to 98 percent compared to traditional methods. Zipline is the trusted partner for governments, global brands and leading health care systems. For more information, visit flyzipline.com.
FAA Proposes $73,000 Civil Penalty Against Zipline International
Thursday, August 15, 2024
WASHINGTON–The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $73,000 CIVIL PENALTY against Zipline International Inc., of Concord, North Carolina, for ALLEGEDLY VIOLATING DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING REGULATIONS.
The FAA alleges that between June 13, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2022, Zipline failed to subject 10 employees who performed safety-sensitive work to random drug and alcohol testing. The employees performed aircraft maintenance or flight crewmember duties.
The agency also alleges that Zipline failed to conduct an approved pre-employment drug test on one of those employees.
Zipline has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
