Gulf of America across Louisiana. Photo: Shutterstock The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued its first-ever authorization for a drone to fly beyond its operator's visual line of sight from the U.S. coastline over the Gulf of America (historically and internationally known as the Gulf of Mexico), opening the door to longer-range commercial drone operations over open water.
The authorization was granted to Skyways, allowing the company to operate its autonomous V2 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from Shell's SPLC facility in Gibson, Louisiana, to an offshore Shell platform in the Gulf.
The planned flight will include an inspection of a pipeline right-of-way and a simulated delivery of equipment to the offshore platform. The demonstration is intended to show how autonomous drones could support offshore infrastructure, inspection work and equipment transportation without requiring conventional crewed aircraft.
The FAA described the decision as a first-of-its-kind authorization and a milestone for the development of commercial uncrewed aviation in the United States. Until now, operating drones beyond the pilot's visual line of sight has generally required specific regulatory approval, limiting the scale and range of many commercial applications.
The authorization was issued under Section 927 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. The provision allows the agency to approve certain drone operations through a waiver process, rather than requiring a new rulemaking procedure or an exemption.
Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the approval supports the Trump administration's ambition to make advanced drone operations more commonplace.
He described the authorization as an important step toward transforming offshore operations through American technology, while developing a regulatory framework that allows such flights to expand safely.
Acting FAA Deputy Administrator Liam McKenna said the agency is working with industry to move beyond traditional operating restrictions and support the next generation of commercial drone services.
The approval could have implications for offshore energy operations, where drones may eventually take on tasks such as pipeline inspections, equipment deliveries and monitoring of remote facilities. Such operations could reduce the need for some crewed helicopter or vessel trips, although the FAA's authorization covers the specific demonstration described by the agency.