Are Amazon’s delivery drones really no louder than an electric toothbrush?

by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

Photo Credit: Davis Arenas

The U.S. Sun, the American edition of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation-owned tabloid The Sun, reports that Amazon is defending itself against noise complaints by stating that its delivery drones are no louder than an electric toothbrush. Delivery drones are not yet used in Los Angeles County, although they may be coming soon, so I have no personal experience with them. I have heard the annoying buzz of drones used by wedding photographers and by the local police. Scientific research published in the world’s most prestigious acoustical engineering journal, the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, shows that drone noise is more annoying than other sounds due to its tonality, sharpness, and loudness.

Drones sound like large mosquitoes. As I have written, I think people should have a legal right to quiet in their homes and yards, including freedom from unwanted delivery drone noise. Delivery drones can weigh up to 80 pounds, so I also have concerns about public safety. An 80-pound drone falling from the sky or crashing into a house can cause significant damage.

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed regulations for delivery drone use. In a quick scan of the proposed regulations, I didn’t find any mention of noise, but to protect the airspace used by planes delivery drones must fly under 400 feet. Information about how to submit a public comment on the proposed regulations is available.