Skyways and Shell Win FAA Approval for Offshore BVLOS Drone Mission
Skyways has received FAA authorization for what it describes as the first uncrewed aircraft operation of its kind: a long-range, beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight from the US coastline to offshore infrastructure over the high seas. The company will demonstrate the mission with Shell Pipeline Company LP in the Gulf of America.
- The FAA authorized Skyways' first-of-its-kind uncrewed long-range BVLOS operation over the high seas.
- Skyways will fly its V2 aircraft from Gibson, Louisiana, to an offshore Gulf platform.
- The mission will combine pipeline right-of-way inspection with simulated cargo delivery.
- The authorization was granted through the FAA's Section 927 waiver process.
- Skyways said it has completed 3,500 autonomous flights and flown approximately 90,000 kilometers worldwide.
One flight will combine inspection and logistics
Skyways plans to operate its V2 hybrid-powered vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from Shell Pipeline Company LP's facility in Gibson, Louisiana, to an offshore platform in the Gulf of America. During the flight, the aircraft will inspect a pipeline right-of-way and demonstrate the simulated delivery of critical equipment to the platform.
The operation is intended to show how autonomous aircraft can support two types of offshore work in a single mission. Skyways said the authorization clears it to conduct autonomous long-range BVLOS operations from the US coastline over the high seas.
FAA waiver establishes a framework for the operation
The FAA granted the authorization through its Section 927 waiver process for unmanned aircraft systems. Skyways said the approval followed extensive coordination among the company, SPLC and the FAA to establish an operating and safety framework for long-range flights between the shore and offshore infrastructure.
The V2 aircraft uses electric motors for vertical takeoff and landing, a heavy-fuel cruise engine for extended-range flight, and satellite-based command and control. Skyways describes itself as a developer and operator of long-range, hybrid-powered VTOL autonomous aircraft.
“We're committed to American aviation innovation and ensuring new technologies can be deployed safely, efficiently, and at scale,” Acting FAA Deputy Administrator Liam McKenna said, according to the announcement. He added that the authorization followed coordination to establish a safe framework for the operations.
Shell sees applications for inspections and maintenance
The mission builds on SPLC's existing high-seas drone program and its work with Skyways on pipeline right-of-way inspection across the Gulf of America. Wesley Stewart, president of SPLC, said the waiver will allow the company to use uncrewed aircraft for offshore inspections, maintenance and logistics.
“This waiver allows us to use uncrewed aircraft in a way that will streamline offshore inspections, maintenance and logistics, making pipeline transportation even more safe, efficient and cost effective,” Stewart said, according to the announcement.
For Skyways, co-founder and CEO Charles Acknin said the mission will provide another US environment in which to prove the aircraft and build operational experience. “We expect this mission to show what's possible when long-range autonomous aircraft are applied to real offshore operations,” Acknin said.
A possible step toward longer-term Gulf operations
Skyways said it expects the authorization to provide a foundation for expanded, longer-term operations across the Gulf of America, including more frequent infrastructure inspections and cargo delivery for compensation. The announcement does not provide a date for the demonstration.
The company said its broader record includes 3,500 autonomous flights and approximately 90,000 kilometers flown worldwide. Those missions have included cargo operations for the U.S. Navy, Japanese Ministry of Defense, DSV, Skyports Drone Services and All Nippon Airways.
For users of offshore infrastructure services, the planned mission could demonstrate whether one autonomous aircraft operation can combine inspection and delivery tasks across distances that are difficult to support today. The FAA authorization also gives Skyways a regulatory basis for testing these operations over the high seas, subject to the framework established for the mission.
