The FAA just let a pilotless cargo plane fly out of a working airport

Elroy Air flew its Chaparral hybrid-electric cargo drone autonomously under the FAA’s eVTL Integration Pilot Program, delivering more than 500 lb of spare parts, medical supplies and water from Houma-Terrebonne Airport. The vertical-takeoff aircraft can travel up to 450 mi without runway or charging infrastructure, and the flights were coordinated with air-traffic control alongside other traffic, partnering with Bristow Group and Louisiana’s LIFTOFF program. The FAA administrator said the tests show drones could expand cargo delivery nationwide and improve logistics infrastructure.