Drones for Business

Hot Drone Pilot Jobs to Consider in 2017

Drone pilot jobs are growing in demand at companies across the globe. Legacy giants and startups are scouting full-time drone pilots, often referred to as drone operators, as well as flight engineers. These innovative companies are staffing internal UAS and UAV programs, as well as a vast array of emerging drone-based products and services.

Drones provide a wealth of business applications. Currently, hot drone pilot opportunities abound in wedding photography and videography, movies, search and rescue, product delivery, real estate and building inspections.

Wedding Aerial Photography

If you are already a wedding photographer, adding aerial images and video to your list of services should be a no-brainer. After all, they are now almost expected in a wedding photography package. Although most wedding photographers add drone shots in the package as an add-on service, some photographers charge a premium for these extra shots, ranging from $500 to $3,500. However, we highly encourage aspiring aerial photographers to get fully trained and familiar with the equipment. Gyokeres, owner of Propellerheads Aerial Photography has said in an interview, “If the drone pilot doesn’t have an established safety plan, insurance, extensive knowledge of how to operate the vehicle or close coordination with the venue managers, wedding photographers and the couple, he can be a risk to the wedding party.” This occurs way too often, in one instance a wedding guest even suing the groom over a drone crash.

Movies

Several Hollywood movie scenes have been shot using drones for maximum angle agility and are much cheaper alternatives than renting out a Helicopter for the day. Some of these movies include Skyfall (2012), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), The Expendables 3 (2014), Chappie (2015), Jurassic World (2015), and Captain America: Civil War (2016). Although some of the production teams have their own drone operators to help achieve these shots, others outsource to a third party company. Whatever the means, drones have become a staple in Hollywood. Who knows, drone cinematography may even become its own award category some day!

Search and Rescue

First responders have begun using drones in their daily operations while saving lives: FLIR infrared cameras can be attached to drones to help locate people in burning buildings or in dense forests, drones assist firefighters in inspecting the stability of roof structures to ensure the safety of firefighters deployed underneath them, and even provide information about which way fires are spreading or where they originated from. Private companies and agencies are looking into hiring more drone pilots so that in the event of an emergency, a drone pilot and spotter will always be on call.

Delivery

You’ve all read the news about the Fortune 500 companies that are testing drone deliveries: Amazon, WalMart, Google, Apple. But what you may not know is that they have all begun poaching and recruiting talent for these drone programs to include capable drone pilots, in addition to engineers and software developers. At the time this article is being written, there are several drone pilot jobs available at Amazon Prime Air, and we are certain there will be more in the coming months. These jobs prove that you can indeed, make a career out of doing what you love.

Building Inspection

Traditionally, building inspections were done manually. This involved an inspector climbing up on ladders or unsafe structures to inspect the tops and sides of high-rise buildings. This method is severely inefficient and unsafe. Drones have become a great alternative and allows building managers to look for deterioration or water infiltration, create 3-D models, or create videos for potential investors or buyers.

Additionally, companies in industries like telecommunications, real estate, and insurance are outsourcing certain drone pilot jobs to companies or individuals with the proper certification and training. We recommend that aspiring drone pilots take the FAA Part 107 Exam to fly drones commercially, and also practice safe and legal flight with drone flight training.


About DARTdrones Flight School

DARTdrones is the national leader in drone training with the best flight instructors in the industry. We offer classes both online and in-person throughout the country. All of our flight instructors are manned aircraft pilots and certified drone pilots. Our team of experts include FAA Certified Flight Instructors, military veterans, Blackhawk helicopter pilots, commercial airline pilots, and a curriculum developer of one of the Navy’s drone programs. Our classes include:

  • Part 107 Test Prep – Learn to pass the FAA’s Part 107 Airman Knowledge Exam with our in-person or online Part 107 Test Prep Course.

  • Drone Pilot Training – Learn to fly your DJI Phantom or Inspire in this hands on flight training class.

  • Launching a Drone Business Under Part 107 –  Learn the ins and outs of starting your own drone business including Developing Your Drone Business Strategy, Finding Customers, Business Operations, Legal Considerations and Liabilities, and Drone Insurance.

  • Custom Training – Our expert can come to your group for custom training. We train corporate groups, small team, police departments, fire departments, and government entities.

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