WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Elroy and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development conducted a hybrid-electric demonstration flight to test cargo deliveries using remotely piloted aircraft at Houma-Terrebonne Airport in Louisiana. This is the first remotely piloted aircraft test flight under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

This flight is part of a series of demonstrations as the U.S. Department of Transportation works to safely integrate Advanced Air Mobility aircraft into the National Airspace System.

“This demonstration with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development provides data to help turn these concepts from trial to deployment.” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “These test flights demonstrate how these new aircraft can expand cargo delivery options to communities nationwide and improve our logistics infrastructure.”

"Louisiana has always been willing to take on big challenges and help move the country forward," said Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Glenn Ledet. "This partnership gives our state a meaningful role in shaping the next chapter of American aviation. DOTD is grateful for the FAA's confidence in Louisiana and proud of the opportunities this work can create for our industries, workforce and communities."

“Chaparral was built to move heavy cargo autonomously in the places that need it most including offshore energy platforms, industrial supply chains, disaster response, and communities beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure. The eIPP gives us a clear, collaborative path for safely bringing uncrewed, autonomous cargo aircraft into the National Airspace System. This week’s series of uncrewed, autonomous flights in Houma, Louisiana are the first step in that process, and we're grateful to the FAA, the State of Louisiana, Secretary Duffy, USDOT, and the White House for their leadership in making it possible. We're ready to deliver." said Andrew Clare, CEO of Elroy Air.

Elroy used its Chaparral aircraft, a highly automated hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (vTOL) system designed to move heavy cargo by air between non-traditional sites.

The eIPP is a first-of-its-kind initiative outlined in President Trump’s Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order. It creates one of the nation’s largest real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft with the potential to create jobs, connect communities, and strengthen American leadership in aviation.

Additional Information
In March 2026, the Department of Transportation selected eight projects across 26 states to participate in the eIPP. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is one of the eight participants.

The FAA will use what it learns from these demonstrations to identify gaps, improve procedures, and support the safe integration of advanced air mobility into the National Airspace System. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and other eIPP participants are planning additional test flights throughout the rest of the year.