What Happened
Austin-Based Drone Operator Partners With Shell For Gulf Of Mexico Trial
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Skyways, a cargo drone manufacturer and operator, permission to conduct a demonstration flight from Gibson, Louisiana, to a Shell platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The flight will involve a pipeline inspection and simulated equipment delivery, marking the first US authorization for a drone to fly from the coast out over the Gulf beyond its operator’s visual line of sight. Skyways will use its V2 aircraft, which features electric motors for vertical takeoff and landing and a heavy-fuel engine for cruise, for the test. The company hopes to use the V2 for more frequent inspections and eventually carry cargo to offshore installations for a fee. The test was announced by AeroTime.