[Goldwingnut]

UPS and CVS made their first delivery via drone here in The Villages today. The flight was short and designed to be a test of the overall process. There are still many details to be worked out to be a successful business venture. Here is a short video of the maiden flight takeoff and landing.
UPS Makes First Delivery for CVS in The Villages Florida - YouTube

[EdFNJ]

They must be using Litchi. Just $23 !

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

They must be using Litchi. Just $23 !

The preflight process for this first flight was about 20 minutes long, the flight, about 2 minutes. The flight was automated (like Litchi) and very smooth.

It's not a money maker yet, there were about 8 people from UPS there and a rep from the aircraft manufacturer. They're very confident that in time they will be very successful with this.

3 or 4 more flights were planned to be completed by about 4 PM today with a much quicker tempo.

[John_W]

The only thing I could see a problem with, would be the human factor. Since we didn't see it land and what happened on the receiving end. Those blades look big enough to take a finger off. I guess they'll give the recipient a briefing over the phone.

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by John_W

The only thing I could see a problem with, would be the human factor. Since we didn't see it land and what happened on the receiving end. Those blades look big enough to take a finger off. I guess they'll give the recipient a briefing over the phone.

UPS currently has someone at the receiving end that unloads the drone and completes the delivery to the door. For this flight at the receiving end was 2 delivery people, another UAS pilot, the Director of Engineering and the President of UPS Flight Forward division.

Those 14" carbon fiber blades spinning a greater than 5000 RPM are deadly and will easily take off a finger or a hand if not careful. One of the many things they have to take into consideration. I have scars from the props on my drones where stupidity stepped a little to close and paid the price.

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by John_W

The only thing I could see a problem with, would be the human factor. Since we didn't see it land and what happened on the receiving end. Those blades look big enough to take a finger off. I guess they'll give the recipient a briefing over the phone.

For the past 50 plus years, I have flown many aircraft that require hand propping for an engine start. Aircraft propellers are a little bit larger than the ones on this drone. No matter the size of the prop one has to always be careful and think about safety.

Thanks for the video Don! As it is only a four motor drone, I would assume it still has some limited ability for control if one engine is lost?

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

For the past 50 plus years, I have flown many aircraft that require hand propping for an engine start. Aircraft propellers are a little bit larger than the ones on this drone. No matter the size of the prop one has to always be careful and think about safety.

Thanks for the video Don! As it is only a four motor drone, I would assume it still has some limited ability for control if one engine is lost?

If the quads I fly are any indication if one goes out, Newton wins and down it comes. With hex and octos they can lose up to 3 and still land safely depending on other factors, with a quad the odds are not so good.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

For the past 50 plus years, I have flown many aircraft that require hand propping for an engine start. Aircraft propellers are a little bit larger than the ones on this drone. No matter the size of the prop one has to always be careful and think about safety.

Thanks for the video Don! As it is only a four motor drone, I would assume it still has some limited ability for control if one engine is lost?

On a quad, lose an engine (or a prop) and it’ll fly like a brick. Been there, done that.

[twoplanekid]

Interesting!

From the Matternet web site on the M2 -> Unmanned Aerial Vehicles can cause injury or destroy property in case of a crash. The drone is therefore designed with a parachute to ensure safe landing. It is also designed with encrypted communications, precision landing for additional safety.

[vanjon]

GoldWingNut
Thanks for the video. This is the first time I saw UPS testing the drone. They are in this project a while back.
Can you fly your drone to follow UPS's drone?
I am your fan. Thanks

Originally Posted by photo1902

On a quad, lose an engine (or a prop) and it’ll fly like a brick. Been there, done that.

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

If the quads I fly are any indication if one goes out, Newton wins and down it comes. With hex and octos they can lose up to 3 and still land safely depending on other factors, with a quad the odds are not so good.

If a quad loses an engine do the others continue to operate? I would think it could be a more dangerous and erratic crash landing if not.

[davem4616]

Thank you Don, as always a very informative and interesting post / video

I'm pleased that it's UPS and CVS pushing the envelop on this (as I have stock in both companies)

however, wouldn't it be great if it was the local pizza joint that was testing drone delivery out...I'd volunteer to be one of the folks
on the test landing site

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

UPS currently has someone at the receiving end that unloads the drone and completes the delivery to the door. For this flight at the receiving end was 2 delivery people, another UAS pilot, the Director of Engineering and the President of UPS Flight Forward division.

Those 14" carbon fiber blades spinning a greater than 5000 RPM are deadly and will easily take off a finger or a hand if not careful. One of the many things they have to take into consideration. I have scars from the props on my drones where stupidity stepped a little to close and paid the price.

Like flying weed whackers! (Laughing) Edward Scissorhands would be envious. And remember that guy in the Carl Hiassen novel whose arm is amputated, so he has a weed whacker installed as a prosthesis?

Do you figure that if the flights are all landing at one site, there will be automated take-offs and landings, with little need for a remote operator doing the actual flying. Primarily GPS flying?

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by theruizs

If a quad loses an engine do the others continue to operate? I would think it could be a more dangerous and erratic crash landing if not.

The quad, Matternet M2 that UPS is using if a motor fails -" The drone is therefore designed with a parachute to ensure safe landing"

[champion6]

After watching the video, I was left thinking that it's going to be a loooooong time before anything is delivered to my front door via drone. Based on all previous publicity from many sources, I think I have been misled.