DURHAM – Drone delivery company Flytrex is now making deliveries in south Durham, within a small delivery radius that originates at Southpoint Mall, according to an update to the company’s website that now lists a location in Durham.

The company, which received FAA approval in 2019 to make deliveries using its drones, recently opened delivery service to South Durham, with a possible pickup point in a backyard or at a shopping center known as Renaissance Center.

Using the company’s mobile app, people may order a cheesesteak from Charleys Philly Steaks, a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s, pad thai from Basil Thai Kitchen, wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, or coffee from Bean Trader’s.

Flytrex initially opened delivery service in Fayetteville, in a partnership with Walmart, and went on to open a second location in the region.

The first Triangle location for the delivery-by-drone-service was in Holly Springs.  The company also operates in one location in Texas.

FAA gives approval for Triangle firm, partner to launch food deliveries by drone

 

How’s it work?

According to the app, deliveries take between 40-50 minutes to arrive to a public location selected by the app’s user.  Food can be ordered directly through the application.

“Drone delivery is not a far-fetched dream anymore – we’ve turned it into reality, and we’re hoping to make it the standard delivery choice,” the company’s website reads.

A video of the company’s drone delivery service appeared in a WRAL news report when the company expanded its operations in Holly Springs.

The delivery radius is in part due to the company’s drones having a limit of a five-mile round trip limit, the website notes, and the company’s drones fly at 32 miles per hour.

That means they’ll keep ice cream cold and coffee hot, the website copy quips.

“Our drones can carry up to 6.6 lbs (3 kg), allowing you to order a family dinner of burgers and drinks or the refill of toilet paper and coffee you just ran out of,” a section of the website reads.

Flytrex, part of the Federal Aviation Administration UAS Integration Pilot Program, has also partnered with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.