[Goldwingnut]

Interesting article but only half the picture and the study was of a very limited scope. The assumption in the article is that the UAS (drone) being used is a vertical flight only aircraft (much like a helicopter), while very versatile their lift system are, as the article points out, relatively inefficient. This design, while versatile, greatly limits the range of the aircraft due to battery capacity limitations. All of the companies looking to develop UAS based delivery systems know this and take this into consideration.

All (including UPS) are looking at, developing, or are using VTOL aircraft which takeoff and land vertically but once airborne transition to a fixed wing flight mode, like the MV-22 Osprey. While takeoff and landing is done with brute force, once airborne and transitioned to horizontal flight the energy demand is about 5% (or less) of the requirements for takeoff and landing. Very long distance flights are possible (>100 miles) with these aircraft. However, even on shorter flights the energy savings are tremendous. Vertical flight operation is only needed for takeoff, landing, and delivery, perhaps 2-3 minute of the entire flight. This alone negates the majority of the argument the article attempts to make.

The article also assumes a non-feasible delivery model of the UAS delivering to each house. The flight logistics of this model are incredibly complex, difficult to manage, and would necessitate a complex (and expensive) aircraft design to manage delivery of each package. This is not the model UPS is using.

For the sake of argument I can discuss the capabilities of my Phantom 4 Pro aircraft in a delivery model. With the normal high capacity LiPO battery it uses (89.2 watts/hrs) the P4P can carry a 2 lbs payload (about 10 prescriptions) a distance of 5 miles at 400 ft altitude, land and deliver the payload, takeoff and return to its starting point with 15% battery capacity remaining. To put that into perspective that would be sufficient to make a delivery from the CVS at 466 and Belvedere Blvd to just about anywhere in The Villages between SR42 and CR466A, including the east side of 27/441. This is of course under ideal conditions of zero winds and peak battery capacity. While such a flight would be theoretically and technically possible it does not leave much safety margin and would require multiple waivers under Part 107 rules. Under Part 135 rules that UPS is flying under it would be completely legal.

While I haven't and wouldn't undertake such a flight, empirical data supports the feasibility with such a flight with a current high end consumer drone with about 80 watts of power. The custom designed UAS UPS will be employing are capable of much more and in a safer manner.