Skyways wins FAA approval for long-range drone flights over open sea from US coast
Skyways, an autonomous aircraft developer based in Austin, Texas, has obtained a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization for long-range drone flights beyond the operator's visual line of sight, launching from the US coast and crossing the high seas. The company says it is the first approval of its kind for an uncrewed aircraft.
The permission came through the FAA's Section 927 waiver process for unmanned aircraft systems. Skyways said it will let the company demonstrate autonomous operations over extended offshore distances, and could open the way to flights linking shore facilities with offshore infrastructure in the Gulf of America.
A combined inspection and delivery mission
Skyways plans to use the authorization for a mission with Shell Pipeline Company LP (SPLC). A single flight will combine a pipeline inspection with a simulated cargo delivery to an offshore platform.
The V2 aircraft, a hybrid-powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) model, will depart from Shell's facility in Gibson, Louisiana, and head for a platform in the Gulf. On the way it will inspect a pipeline right-of-way, then demonstrate delivery of critical equipment to the platform.
The V2 uses electric motors for takeoff and landing and a heavy-fuel engine for cruising. Satellite-based command and control lets it cover distances that would be hard for conventional short-range drones, according to the report.
Reactions and background
Charles Acknin, cofounder and CEO of Skyways, said the authorization opens up a much larger operating envelope in the US. He expects the mission to show how autonomous aircraft can support real-world offshore work and give the company experience in a new operating environment.
The FAA said the approval followed extensive coordination among the agency, Skyways and Shell to set up a suitable safety framework for these novel operations. For Shell, it builds on an existing high-seas drone program and continuing work with Skyways on pipeline right-of-way inspections in the Gulf.
Wesley Stewart, president of SPLC, said the waiver could make offshore inspections, maintenance and logistics smoother, and could bring pipeline transportation greater safety, efficiency and cost savings.
Skyways reports more than 3,500 autonomous flights and roughly 90,000 kilometers flown worldwide. Its client and partner list, the company said, spans the US Navy and Japan's defense ministry as well as the logistics firm DSV, Skyports Drone Services and airline All Nippon Airways. Looking ahead, the company expects the authorization to underpin broader Gulf operations, potentially including regular infrastructure inspections and commercial cargo deliveries.
