If you're expecting an Amazon order to come directly to your door via drone, it's time to lower your expectations. The FAA shot down approval for drone delivery, in a DOT request for comment document. While Amazon Prime Air isn't mentioned specifically in the document, the decision clearly limits drone use for hobby and recreation.

"Clearly, commercial operations would not be hobby or recreation flights," said the FAA report. "Likewise, flights that are in furtherance of a business, or incidental to a person’s business, would not be a hobby or recreation flight."

The wording would seem to knock down drone use for other commercial purposes as well, including aerial photography for real estate or other commercial production.

This may not be the final word on the issue. The notice of interpretation with request for comment opens the issue to a period of public consideration. The FAA will receive comments from interested parties on this decision before procedding. If you would like to add your comments, you'll find guidelines for doing so within the report linked here.