Neighbors in a Richardson subdivision have taken to the streets to voice frustration over the persistent noise generated by Amazon’s Prime Air delivery drones. The community, which has lived beside the company’s new Prime Air facility since its opening in December, says the low‑flying, humming aircraft disturb their peace and quiet throughout the day.
Local residents describe the drones as intrusive
“We’ve been having an issue with drones going back and forth. There goes one now, and so we’re in the highway of the drones,” said Nikki Anderson, a longtime resident who has watched the aircraft buzz overhead. Anderson added that the drones are “low, loud, big, and just intrusive,” and that the neighborhood feels powerless to stop them.
Another neighbor, Scott Bratcher, echoed the sentiment, noting that a drone can appear and disappear within four or five minutes, yet the constant presence feels like “all‑day traffic” in the sky. “You can just kind of see all the flights coming out across us. This is about a half a mile from us,” Bratcher explained.
Amazon’s response and design claims
Amazon told FOX 4 that it has met with Richardson’s mayor, city council, and city manager to discuss the concerns. The company emphasized that noise reduction was a priority in the design of its newest Prime Air model, the MK30, and that the sound heard on the ground during a delivery is brief and comparable to a passing car.
Amazon also noted that less than one percent of the complaints it receives about its drones relate to noise, suggesting that the issue is not widespread across its delivery network.
City officials defer to the FAA
The City of Richardson clarified that it does not have the authority to set drone flight patterns. When asked about the complaints, the city referred the matter to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA confirmed that Amazon operates under a specific exemption that includes conditions and limitations, but stressed that it remains Amazon’s responsibility to ensure safe operations in U.S. airspace.
In July, the FAA issued a nationwide finding that drone package delivery would have no significant environmental impact, a statement that has not quelled local concerns.
Residents request higher altitude
Both Anderson and Bratcher have asked Amazon, the city, and the FAA to raise the drones’ flight altitude to at least 300 feet, a height they believe would reduce the audible disturbance. “They’re not being very good neighbors at the moment, and I hope that they can change that,” Anderson said.
While the community has considered legal action, Anderson expressed doubt about the feasibility of a lawsuit, asking, “Who’s going to fight Amazon?”
What’s next?
The ongoing dialogue highlights the tension between emerging delivery technologies and established residential expectations. As Amazon continues to expand its Prime Air service, the Richardson neighborhood’s experience may serve as a case study for other municipalities grappling with similar drone‑related noise issues.
For now, residents remain hopeful that continued pressure on Amazon and coordination with the FAA will result in higher flight paths and a quieter neighborhood.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
