Walmart drone delivery proposal comes to Manchester

MANCHESTER, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Wing, a drone delivery company partnered with Walmart, wants to launch a delivery service out of the Manchester Walmart, and the city is holding two public sessions to discuss the proposal.

Wing, an Alphabet company, operates autonomous drone delivery systems. Neither Wing nor Walmart has submitted a formal application to the city.

How the service would work

Wing said its average delivery time from the Walmart store to a customer’s front door is between five and 15 minutes.

The drones can travel up to six miles from the store and carry packages weighing up to nearly 3 pounds. That could include a few groceries or household essentials, but not a full grocery order.

Wing said its drones do not take photos or send live video to pilots. The company said the FAA regulates the flights and that deliveries are made by lowering packages on a tether, without landing.

Public sessions

The Manchester Board of Aldermen received a presentation on the proposal on Monday. The city said the presentation was for informational purposes only and that the board would take no vote or action.

Wing provided a brief presentation Wednesday night, where community members asked Wing staff and city officials questions and shared their thoughts.

Manchester Mayor Ben Toben said the proposal could be an opportunity for the city.

“We want to make sure the public is involved,” Toben said. “We know that people are going to have questions, and so let’s get in front of it.”

The city is requesting a future flight demonstration for interested parties.

Toben acknowledged the service would bring aircraft into residential neighborhoods, which raises questions about noise, privacy and safety.

“I would say some people, I’m sure, will disagree with it,” Toben said. “There’s going to be a lot of people that really, really enjoy it if it goes through.”

What’s next

Wing would first need to submit a site plan and apply for a Special Use Permit.

No delivery drones are flying in the St. Louis area now. Kirkwood voted down its drone permit last month over noise concerns, and Wentzville is drafting new rules. Similar discussions in St. Charles and Maplewood are in early stages.