Uber Files Paperwork To Begin Food Delivery By Drone In San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- Ridesharing and online ordering company Uber has filed paperwork with the FAA to start testing drones in San Diego for food delivery, and the public has about two weeks in which to weigh in on the proposal.

The company's petition, which was filed May 21, seeks permission, presumably for its Uber Eats subsidiary, to use drones to transport food within the San Diego city limits.

"Uber Elevate, Inc. seeks permission to conduct small UAS (unmanned aircraft system) air carrier operations for commercial food package delivery in the United States, initially in the City of San Diego," the petition reads in part.

According to ABC 10 News San Diego, Uber says its drones would fly below 400 feet and have a range of about 3.5 miles. In its application, the company said it would use the AirRobot 200 drone, a hexa-copter that's larger than typical drones used by videographers.

If approved, it would actually not be the first instance in which a delivery company was granted permission to use drone. The FAA recently granted its first air carrier certification to a drone company, Wing Aviation, which is expected to begin testing soon in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Uber has so far declined to comment on its petition, but there the public is able to weigh in on the proposal via the FAA’s website. The deadline for comments is 8:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on June 10.