Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. After spending several years in the Pacific Northwest, she has returned to the Knoxville area.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Bristow Group has reserved 10 more early-delivery positions for Elroy Air’s Chaparral hybrid-electric cargo drone, bringing the helicopter operator’s total reservations to 15, the Byron, California-based start-up announced on September 17.
In September 2023, Bristow placed deposits to secure its first five positions. The operator had signed a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2022-07-12/bristow-commits-ordering-100-chaparral-vtol-freighters-elroy-air">letter of intent in 2022</a> to preorder up to 100 Chaparrals, which Elroy Air then expected to certify in 2023. The companies did not disclose delivery dates. Elroy Air says its commercial backlog exceeds 1,400 aircraft, though that figure reflects nonbinding agreements rather than firm orders.
In late August, Elroy Air flew the Chaparral with Houston-based Bristow for a week of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-09-02/elroy-air-bristow-fly-autonomous-freighter-louisiana">demonstrations at Houma-Terrebonne Airport</a> (KHUM) in Louisiana, which the manufacturer claimed as the first uncrewed, autonomous flights under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.
Bristow primarily flies helicopters for offshore energy companies and government customers, and it has said it plans to use the Chaparral to move time-sensitive cargo. After the Louisiana flights, Bristow executive vice president and chief transformation officer Dave Stepanek said the drone could give those customers “new ways to move freight offshore and across the region.” In the latest announcement, he added that Bristow is “continuing to evaluate where technologies like this could create value for our customers.”
Elroy Air advertises a payload capacity of more than 500 pounds and a maximum range of 450 miles for the Chaparral. San Diego-based Kratos Defense &amp; Security Solutions, the aircraft’s exclusive U.S. manufacturer, plans to build the first production example in Sacramento, California, in late 2026. Elroy Air also plans to go public through a merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VII, a special-purpose acquisition company.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Bristow Triples Early-delivery Chaparral Cargo Drone Reservations

Helicopter operator has reserved 15 of the hybrid-electric cargo drones

Bristow Group has reserved 10 more early-delivery positions for Elroy Air’s Chaparral hybrid-electric cargo drone.

Bristow Triples Early-delivery Chaparral Reservations

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

BAE Systems unit gets $21.2 million to test the idea with PHASA-35

Beamed Power Could Keep Solar Aircraft Aloft in Winter

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Design study swaps the cockpit for a nose cargo door

Textron, Merlin Unveil Uncrewed SkyCourier Concept

Charles Alcock

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The U.S. defense group displayed a UAS model at the Air & Space Forces Association conference

Lockheed Martin Will Build Four Vectis Drone Prototypes

U.S. Air Force is seeking a more affordable replacement for MQ-9A Reapers

Swarm Pitches Gamera for New U.S. Drone Requirements

David Donald

The new drone has a target price well below that of the current MQ-9A

GA-ASI Aims Wildfire at Reaper Replacement

Second-generation SiCore battery cells reach 500 Wh/kg

Amprius Batteries Boost Energy for Long-endurance Drones

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

In this article

Elroy Air

Bristow Group

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Beamed Power Could Keep Solar Aircraft Aloft in Winter

BAE Systems unit gets $21.2 million to test the idea with PHASA-35

Textron, Merlin Unveil Uncrewed SkyCourier Concept

Design study swaps the cockpit for a nose cargo door

Lockheed Martin Will Build Four Vectis Drone Prototypes

The U.S. defense group displayed a UAS model at the Air & Space Forces Association conference

Swarm Pitches Gamera for New U.S. Drone Requirements

U.S. Air Force is seeking a more affordable replacement for MQ-9A Reapers

GA-ASI Aims Wildfire at Reaper Replacement

The new drone has a target price well below that of the current MQ-9A

Amprius Batteries Boost Energy for Long-endurance Drones

Second-generation SiCore battery cells reach 500 Wh/kg

Robinson Unmanned R44 Airtruck Flies Offshore Cargo Demos

Remotely piloted R44 helicopter landed on an offshore-style deck at a Louisiana airport

Saab Fields Interest In LoyalEye Surveillance System

MQ-9B-mounted radar could complement piloted GlobalEye assets

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN