Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission

09/05/2026

09/02/2026

TPG Federal Partner Emily Bacque Da Silva was in Houma for the groundbreaking of Louisiana's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), part of a broader statewide initiative known as LIFTOff Louisiana. TPG was an integral part in Houma-Terrebonne Airport being selected as part of this program.

eIPP is designed to help the FAA safely integrate next-generation aircraft into the national airspace system. The LaDOTD’s proposal was one of eight proposals selected for the Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.

L to R: Dr. Andrew Clare, CEO, Elroy Air; Emily Da Silva, TPG; Joshua Alford, Chairman, Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission; Brad Brandt, Deputy Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD); Andrea Dupre, Deputy Director, Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

The FAA, Elroy Air, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development completed the first remotely piloted hybrid-electric cargo demonstration flight under the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program on August 31, 2026. The flight took place at Houma-Terrebonne Airport in Louisiana using the Elroy Air Chaparral, a highly automated hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft. The program's stated goal is to collect operational data that identifies regulatory gaps, refines procedures, and supports the safe integration of Advanced Air Mobility aircraft into the National Airspace System.

The eIPP originates from the Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order issued in June 2025. The U.S. Department of Transportation selected eight projects across 26 states in March 2026. The Houma flight follows earlier August 2026 demonstrations by Ampaire along the Interstate 15 corridor in Utah and by Electra connecting facilities in Virginia to airline hubs in Philadelphia.

The full article covers the program timeline, the other eIPP demonstrations conducted in August 2026, and an analysis of how this uncrewed VTOL data may inform FAA certification pathways for autonomous middle-mile cargo operations.



Read more: https://airpronews.com/2026/08/31/faa-completes-first-remotely-piloted-evtol-cargo-flight/

08/31/2026

The first official test flight from the Houma Terrebonne Airport took place on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Please see the official FAA press release.

We are beyond thrilled to have hosted Elroy Air in our LIFT facilities for nearly two weeks as they prepared for this.

See you again soon!

The future of flight is taking shape! 🚁
The FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) is testing next-generation aircraft designed to deliver cargo across the nation. Elroy Air and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) tested the first remotely piloted hybrid-electric flight, helping us learn how these aircraft can safely operate in the National Airspace System.

We’re turning the future of flight into reality: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-announces-key-demonstrations-first-remotely-piloted-hybrid-electric-flight-cargo.

08/28/2026

Thank you !

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

We would like to give a shout out to the contractors behind the beautiful rooms we opened to the public yesterday. This is just a small portion of the work they are doing.

They have taken on this job and gone above and beyond to get these rooms ready for showing for our event.

Transforming passenger facilities to flight ops rooms, conference space, flight planning and R&D space is not an easy feat.

Looking forward to the fully completed project in the coming weeks.

Thank you Outta-hand Construction!

08/28/2026

Wow! What an AMAZING day yesterday! 🎉✈️

Thank you to everyone who came out to the LIFTOff Louisiana kickoff event at Houma-Terrebonne Airport (KHUM)! The turnout was incredible, and we were thrilled to share this milestone with our community.

Guests had an up-close look at an impressive static aircraft display featuring the BETA ALIA CTOL, Elroy Air Chaparral, and a Leonardo AW139 operated by Bristow— a rare chance to see the future of advanced air mobility parked right here on our ramp.

Inside, we welcomed exhibitors from Nicholls State University, T Baker Smith LLC, Mississippi State University's Raspet Flight Research Lab, Fletcher Technical Community College, GIS Aerobotics, and MPH LLC — showcasing small drones, education platforms, partnerships and talent driving this program forward.

LIFTOff Louisiana marks an exciting step in bringing advanced air mobility to our region, and yesterday's energy and turnout showed just how much support there is for this vision. Thank you to our partners, exhibitors, and everyone in the community who came out to be part of it — this is only the beginning! 🚁🛩️

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)
Bristow Group
BETA TECHNOLOGIES
Elroy Air

Fletcher Technical Community College
Nicholls State University
Mississippi State University