The FAA recently released a memorandum titled Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. This is essentially a memo where the FAA states how they interpret the rules and regulations regarding model aircraft flights in US Airspace. This includes all UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles) including model planes and drones. They state that this is a "Notice of Interpretation with Request for Comment" meaning they are looking for feedback from the community at large. If you fly FPV at all, this affects you. Take a look at this abstract from the memo:

By definition, a model aircraft must be flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft. P.L. 112-95, section 336(c)(2).1 Based on the plain language of the statute, the FAA interprets this requirement to mean that: (1) the aircraft must be visible at all times to the operator; (2) that the operator must use his or her own natural vision (which includes vision corrected by standard eyeglasses or contact lenses) to observe the aircraft; and (3) people other than the operator may not be used in lieu of the operator for maintaining visual line of sight. Under the criteria above, visual line of sight would mean that the operator has an unobstructed view of the model aircraft. To ensure that the operator has the best view of the aircraft, the statutory requirement would preclude the use of vision-enhancing devices, such as binoculars, night vision goggles, powered vision magnifying devices, and goggles designed to provide a “first-person view” from the model.

But Amazon and any other entity also have to consider a rule that has been in place since 2012 that disallows UAV’s for commercial purposes. So, this is a double whammy for anyone who wants to make money or fly anything, anywhere unless they can see the vehicle at all times without any equipment other than eyesight.
In addition to these restrictions there is also the physics of flying drones. Most hobby craft are quadcopters. Amazon uses octocopters, (8 rotors) for their Prime Air delivery craft. The drones are supposed to be able to carry 5 pounds plus the weight of the craft and travel 10 miles. It seems reasonable to suspect that the battery will have to be extremely efficient and light. These are currently mutually exclusive properties at the present time.
And then there are the liability issues. Even if the FAA grants special status for commercial drones, there will be concerns about drones hitting other airborne equipment, landing on people, being the sport of gun slingers, and many other possible problems. “Due to weather concerns which we have much of the time, your package will be sent by UPS or FedEx”! Fortunately, there will be a comment period and Amazon has no plans for immediate air delivery. I think that the time frame is 3 to 5 years. The trend? Amazon has time and lots of money. Need I say more?

Crowdfunding is the collection of money from backers, the "crowd" to fund an initiative and usually occurs on an Internet platform. The initiative could be a non-profit, to raise funds for a school or social service organization, political, to support a candidate or political party, charitable, to raise emergency funds for an ill person, or to fund a critical operation, commercial, to create and sell a new product or financing a campaign for a new start up company.
Crowdfunding models involve a variety of participants. They include the people or organizations that propose the ideas or projects to be funded, and the crowd of people who support the proposals. Crowdfunding is then supported by an organization (the funding site) which brings together the project initiator and the crowd.
Business and social issues have been “crowdfunded” for at least 400 years. The first books to be printed were backed by those people interested in introducing mass-produced education and entertainment. A more recent example is in 1884 when the Statue of Liberty fund ran out of money to pay for the pedestal for the statue on Bedloe’s Island, now Liberty Island. Joseph Pulitzer ran articles in his newspapers to ask for donations and they received $125,000 in 6 months.
But to say that the growth of these sites is exponential would be an understatement. There is no way of knowing how many exist and how many are going to spring up. There are two aspects to consider when participation is contemplated.  All of the sites have a cost, usually between 5% and 10%. The fee will be paid either by the originator of the project, or the contributor.  And in all cases, the potential to get “burned” is always present. Even the cause related sites have siphoned off funds for personal gain. And in one site that I have followed, Kickstarter, projects have failed to be finished, cost much more than expected, or have been totally fabricated. I am not picking on KS, but there is considerable risk when becoming part of a crowdfunded project. If you are thinking about joining in with the crowd, please do a lot of research! And, many of the sites are not secure so that is something else to consider before investing in the latest concept. The trend? There are always more people trying to separate us from our money. Caveat Emptor…