Amazon is considering drone deliveries in Pflugerville, according to a Sept. 22 City Council presentation.
The details
Sam Bailey, senior manager of economic policy at Amazon, outlined how the deliveries would work and answered questions about noise and public safety.
Prime Air has been delivering by drone since 2022, Bailey said. Powered by 100% electric MK30 drones, the delivery service can bring eligible items to customers in 60 minutes or less. The drones can carry items up to five pounds and deliver within a 7.5-mile radius from the fulfillment center.
The service currently operates in several cities in Texas, including Richardson.
The discussion
The drones have forward- and rear-facing cameras and sensors, but Bailey said they have no surveillance capabilities.
“It can’t scan faces, look at license plates, or take pictures or images,” Bailey said. “It’s strictly there for safe navigation and obstacle avoidance.”
Additionally, flight monitors do not have the ability to see live footage from the drone, Bailey said.
“We’re going to need you to prove that for us, with the surveillance stuff,” council member Kimberly Holiday said. “With everything that just went on with Flock, we want to make sure that we’re not just hearing it, that we actually have proof that is the case.”
Prime Air operates under an FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate, Bailey said. The drones fly at about 225-280 feet when delivering packages, and return at 300-380 feet.
The presentation from Amazon stated the noise generated by the drones is “soft to moderate” based on decibel levels.
What happens next?
Amazon conducted initial outreach to the city of Pflugerville in September 2025, and submitted a request for administrative interpretation on June 15 for the addition of the Prime Air drone delivery center.
Amazon plans to do more community outreach and engagement to provide more information about the service.
The Sept. 22 presentation was a preliminary discussion, and council will revisit the service in the future.
