Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, recently made headlines when CEO Jeff Bezos revealed Amazon Prime Air, a drone-based delivery service that has the potential to cut delivery times down to thirty minutes or less.

The concept behind Amazon Prime Air is simple. Amazon fulfillment centers, where packages are sorted prior to delivery, would be used as launch bases for the drones. The drones, which would be able to travel within a ten mile radius from the fulfillment center, can carry packages weighing up to five pounds, a specification that would only exclude approximately fourteen percent of total deliveries.

Though this concept seems attractive and progressive, its feasibility is questionable. Amazon hopes to begin using the drones by 2015, but Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations present a major obstacle. Under current regulations, commercial drone use is illegal within the United States. Fortunately for Amazon, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta plans to undertake a drone-friendly overhaul of regulations sometime within the next five years.

In addition to FAA policies, there are several other issues which stand in the way of Amazon Prime Air’s implementation. Inclement weather is certainly a real threat, since the drone’s small size leaves it susceptible to being thrown off course by wind gusts. Shotguns and airsoft guns are also a formidable threat due to the risk of theft of drones and packages. Additionally, there are concerns that the drones could interfere with air traffic or collide with pedestrians, vehicles, birds, or buildings.

Due to these aforementioned issues, it will likely be quite some time before drones begin delivering goods purchased on the Internet. Amazon, however, is to be commended for its progressive attitude and ingenuity. Regardless of whether Amazon Prime Air is ever fully implemented, the company clearly has the potential to revolutionize the way in which we shop.