Amazon Prime Air Targets Jacksonville for December Drone Deliveries

Amazon Prime Air is planning to launch drone deliveries in Jacksonville's west side in early December, according to a local pilot who photographed Amazon's airspace map at a public meeting.

The pilot, Meredith Holladay, posted the slide to the Craig Airport Pilots Association's Facebook group, revealing that most of the room was made up of military and police personnel. The red zones on the map indicate no-fly areas up to 400 feet, while the drones will fly seven days a week in daytime visual weather only.

The launch pad is located beside Herlong Airport, with Amazon's operations page stating that its no-fly zones cover runways, heliports, glider ports, and RC flying clubs, plus areas of increased aviation activity. The service radius is approximately 6.5 miles, which is a mile short of the 7.5-mile range approved by the FAA in every review of the MK30.

The FAA has published no environmental review for Jacksonville, with Amazon's August 19 expansion announcement also missing the city from its list of upcoming hubs. Florida Statute 330.41 keeps the city out of flight paths and altitudes.