Texas Resident Complains of Drone Noise, but Amazon or Wing Is Unclear

A resident of the Bridgestone neighborhood in Spring, Texas, Theresa Gibson, says about a dozen delivery drones pass over her home every day and the sound is wearing on her. The Houston news site Chron published her account on November 13 and identified the aircraft as Amazon's. The drone industry outlet DroneXL says public records do not confirm that.

What is known about the possible operators

Amazon's public location list names one Prime Air site in the Greater Houston area, in Richmond, about 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Bridgestone. Amazon says its drones deliver within 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in a February 5 decision on Amazon's Texas network, covered six Houston-area hubs, including one on FM 1960 about 10.7 kilometers (6.7 miles) away. That site is missing from Amazon's list, and DroneXL has found no announcement or report of flights from it.

Wing, which flies Walmart orders, has operated since July from a Supercenter about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the neighborhood. Wing says its drones reach roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) from a store.

Noise claims

Amazon told Chron the sound heard on the ground is minimal and typically lasts about 30 seconds, comparing it to a passing car. FAA documents put the Amazon MK30 drone at 92.1 dBA SEL while hovering to deliver, measured 7.6 meters (25 feet) away.

Regulatory limits

Spring is in unincorporated Harris County, and a 2017 state law bars local governments from regulating drone operations. DroneXL's author advises residents to note the time, direction and color of each drone before filing a complaint.