Some Texas locals are resisting Amazon’s efforts to broaden its drone operations.
Editor Thenews24.net
2 min read
On a quiet morning in College Station, Texas, John Case, a semi-retired orthodontist, heard the familiar hum of an Amazon Prime Air drone delivering packages like batteries, vitamins, and dog treats. The noise, which he likened to a swarm of bees, has become a common disturbance in his neighborhood, affecting even nightshift workers like nurses and police officers who struggle to sleep during the day.
Amazon’s drone delivery program, which began testing in 2022, has faced numerous challenges, including regulatory issues, missed deadlines, and layoffs. College Station, about 100 miles from Houston, has been a primary testing site, with Amazon aiming to deliver packages within an hour. However, noise complaints have become a significant issue, with residents expressing their frustrations to the city council.
In a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), College Station Mayor John Nichols highlighted the community’s concerns about the drone noise, especially during take-offs and landings. Amazon has requested permission from the FAA to increase its daily flights from 200 to 469 and extend operating hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., expanding the delivery area significantly.
Residents have voiced their opposition, with some comparing the drone noise to that of a chainsaw. City officials tested the noise levels, finding them between 47 and 61 decibels, which is much lower than the 125 decibels of a chainsaw. Despite this, the noise remains a nuisance for many.
Amazon’s Prime Air aims to provide a faster, more cost-effective delivery solution, potentially reducing the need for delivery drivers and gas-powered vans. The FAA recently allowed Amazon to fly drones over longer distances without ground observers, a significant milestone for the program.
However, residents like Amina Alikhan, an internal medicine doctor, find the drones disruptive to their daily lives. Case and his neighbors have complained about the noise making it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities or even relax indoors. Some residents have noted that the drones fly much lower than the promised 400 feet, sometimes as low as 100 feet.
Amazon plans to introduce a quieter drone model, the MK30, which will fly at higher altitudes and reduce noise by nearly half. Despite these efforts, many residents want the drones out of their neighborhoods. In response to growing concerns, Amazon has agreed to reduce the number of flights per hour and is considering relocating its drone port.
City Council member Bob Yancy suggested moving the drone port to a former Macy’s store site, now owned by the city. Amazon also plans to integrate Prime Air into its same-day delivery network, as seen in Phoenix, where the launchpad will be near an Amazon warehouse.
Yancy supports the program but insists that Amazon must either reduce the noise or relocate the drones. He summed up the situation by saying, “Fantastic technology, wrong location.”