A private pilot took off from Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores at 7:05 Monday morning in a Piper Cherokee that belonged to Gulf Air Center, Inc., an airport-based flight school.

According to Laura Brown of the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot was not authorized to take off in the aircraft and the flight school has reported it stolen.

"The pilot was the only person onboard the aircraft," Brown said. "The pilot was not in contact with FAA air traffic control after take off."

The aircraft had a full load of fuel which would have lasted for approximately 4.5 hours of flight or a range of approximately 460 miles, Brown said. It was last seen about 100 nautical miles southeast of New Orleans over the Gulf of Mexico.

"The FAA has been in constant communication with NORAD and other federal agencies about the incident," Brown said.

No further details were available.