Archive photo: VanderWolf Images / Shutterstock.com The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the first remotely piloted aircraft demonstration under its new eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), testing hybrid-electric cargo deliveries in Louisiana.
The demonstration was conducted by Elroy Air and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development at Houma-Terrebonne Airport. It forms part of a broader effort to safely integrate advanced air mobility aircraft into the U.S. National Airspace System.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the demonstration will provide data needed to move advanced aircraft from testing toward real-world deployment, including expanding cargo delivery options and strengthening logistics infrastructure.
Elroy used its Chaparral, a highly automated hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed to transport heavy cargo between locations that may not have traditional aviation infrastructure.
Andrew Clare, CEO of Elroy Air, said the aircraft was developed for uses including offshore energy, industrial supply chains, disaster response and communities beyond the reach of conventional infrastructure.
Louisiana is one of eight projects across 26 states selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to participate in the eIPP in March 2026. At the start of August, the FAA and Utah completed a hybrid-electric cargo flight demonstration, advancing efforts to integrate next-generation aircraft into U.S. airspace.
The program was established following President Donald Trump's Unleashing Drone Dominance executive order and is intended to create large-scale real-world testing opportunities for next-generation aircraft.
The FAA will use data gathered during the demonstrations to identify regulatory and operational gaps, improve procedures and support the eventual integration of advanced air mobility aircraft into the national airspace.
Additional eIPP test flights are planned in Louisiana and other participating states throughout the remainder of 2026.