Requests drone test permission

Amazon sends a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration asking if they can have special permission to test their delivery drones outside of the six sites approved for drone testing in the country. They say they will be able to improve the technology more quickly if they can test them close to their headquarters in Seattle:

Current FAA rules allow hobbyists and manufacturers of model aircraft wide latitude in flying their sUAS [Small Unmanned Aerial Systems] outdoors. Because Amazon is a commercial enterprise we have been limited to conducting R&D flights indoors or in other countries. Of course, Amazon would prefer to keep the focus, jobs, and investment of this important research and development initiative in the United States by conducting private research and development operations outdoors near Seattle.