What’s that hovering around the coliseum in the South Mississippi sky?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- FlyBy Shine deploys large drones to pressure wash the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.
- Drones replace traditional scaffolding methods, enhancing worker safety and speed.
- The veteran-owned firm uses FAA-licensed pilots for nationwide structure cleaning.
It’s faster, safer and more efficient to clean tall and massive buildings like the Mississippi Coast Coliseum with drones, and drivers can see them at work today along Beach Boulevard.
FlyBy Shine, a company headquartered in Madison, is launching drones that are much bigger than recreational drones and can spray down the huge, circular walls of the Coliseum.
“We did it before, and it will work,” Matt McDonnell, executive director of the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, said of cleaning the building with drones. The previous contractor didn’t finish the job, and now it’s time to complete the work, he said.
The coliseum was built in 1977 and has seen a lot in its 48 years, McDonnell said. Major repairs were required after Hurricane Katrina, and the building continues to hold many of the biggest shows and events in South Mississippi, with sold-out concerts the last two weekends.
FlyBy Shine is owned by Rick McCluskey, a veteran who was disabled while in service. Its FAA-licensed pilots clean buildings and windows, fuel tanks, water towers and other structures nationwide, according to the company website.
Traditionally, this type of cleaning is done by workers on scaffolding or lifted by bucket trucks. Now drones can reach high areas safely and provide a thorough cleaning with pressure washing, soft washing and window cleaning, the company says.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 10:59 AM.
