Skyways Secures FAA Waiver for Long-Range Offshore Drone Operations
What happened
On November 9, 2026, Skyways received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct long-range drone flights beyond the operator’s line of sight, starting from the US coast and traveling over international waters. This clearance allows Skyways to carry out a demonstration mission for Shell Pipeline Company in the Gulf of America. The mission will use Skyways’ V2 hybrid drone to inspect a pipeline and simulate delivering equipment to an offshore platform. The flight has not yet taken place and will combine infrastructure inspection with logistics in a single operation.
Key details
- FAA granted the waiver under Section 927 for unmanned aircraft systems.
- The V2 drone uses both electric vertical takeoff and a heavy-fuel engine for cruising.
- The mission will launch from Shell Pipeline’s Gibson, Louisiana facility to an offshore platform.
- Skyways' SkyNav software automates flight planning and mission execution.
- Skyways has previously completed 3,500 autonomous flights covering about 90,000 kilometers worldwide.
Why it matters
This FAA waiver enables Skyways and Shell Pipeline to test combined inspection and delivery operations over long distances that are currently hard to support. Pipeline operators and offshore infrastructure companies may benefit from more efficient and cost-effective inspection and logistics options, as the approval sets a precedent for similar future missions. The authorization also creates a framework for expanding drone operations in US offshore environments, potentially reducing reliance on traditional crewed aircraft for these tasks.