A drone pilot is a qualified professional with knowledge of the operation and management of drones – both theoretically and practically. These professionals control and fly drones for aerial photography, video creation, surveillance or reconnaissance. The drone pilot job is in high demand today, especially in the technology sector. What does a drone pilot do?
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The relevance of this job role has increased significantly in the last 10 years. According to official figures from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), there are over 871,000 drones registered and over 307,000 FAA certified drone pilots as of January 2023.
A drone pilot’s main function is to use their skills and knowledge effectively to handle drones safely, all the while complying with the regulations established for handling an unmanned aerial system.
Different labour industries play an important role here since drones are trained to capture high-quality images or videos from an aerial view in order to carry out inspections of constructions, livestock or a host of other activities.
Thanks to the aerial perspectives that drones are able to provide, they are able to get high-pressure mapping as well as data collection and other types of functions that vary depending on the sector in which they are serving.
As a result of the revolution that the drone industry has represented, there are more and more sectors and industries that include drones for the improvement of services such as:
- Photography
- Film productions
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Rescue
- Sports
- Events and more!
Thanks to the exponential advancement of technology and the increasing incorporation of this job worldwide, the profession of drone pilot has undergone a revealing evolution that has been supported by the development of drones with state-of-the-art and innovative technology. This expands their application, and has the ability to generate new jobs due to the need for newly trained drone pilots.
Drone operators and drone pilots: What’s the difference?
In the drone industry, it is common to see the terms “drone pilot” and “drone operator” being used interchangeably. However, it is important to clarify that there are some differences between both professions.
The two roles are usually distinguished by the tasks performed and in some cases the remuneration that each one receives.
A drone operator is someone who owns or rents drones and is registered with the National Aviation Authority in their country of residence. These operators are responsible for the drones and are in charge of their technical and logistic operations.
A drone pilot, on the other hand, is someone whose main objective is to pilot the drones – making sure to maintain their safety during flight, as well as compliance with air regulations.
They are also tasked with maintaining the necessary permits, flight planning and being able to handle any emergency situations.
What are the responsibilities of a Drone Pilot?
The functions performed by a drone pilot are diverse and depending on the industry and sector, these functions may vary.
Generally though, the main responsibility of most drone pilots is to capture images or videos from above for different applications, whether it is to generate content for tourism, study a terrain or get an extended view of a large space.
These professionals must schedule the flights by making a study of the meteorological conditions, ensuring compliance with the laws and air restrictions and the objectives that are sought to be covered. This process includes detailing the flight path, weather, latitude and the different factors that surround the field of study such as people, animals or property.
They are also responsible for collecting different data through the different equipment that the drones have, making it possible to integrate different devices to obtain a more precise result. Subsequently, said data must be processed, analysed and communicated with relevant team members.
In addition to the functions already mentioned, drone pilots can also be in charge of fulfilling tasks such as surveillance and regular maintenance of the operated drones.
Responsibilities of a drone pilot:
- Check drone status before flying
- Configure flight parameters
- Conduct flight demonstrations
- Oversee ground and flight operations
- Conduct previous tests to ensure connection between the drone and the controller
- Pilot and fly the drone to obtain an area view based on the project parameters
- Troubleshoot equipment issues
- Collect, process, analyse and communicate data to the monitoring system
- Evaluate weather conditions
- Monitor drone performance and systems during flight
- Ensure that all required documents and records are up to date
- Ensure compliance with safety and legal regulations
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Job opportunities
The opportunities that a drone pilot has are extensive and continue to grow as its application continues to be implemented in new sectors.
As a result, they can find job opportunities in entertainment companies focused on photography, cinematography, audiovisual production studios, etc.
They can also work in inspection and monitoring areas and can provide their services to the construction, agricultural, security, electrical, fire brigades or any other organisations dedicated to rescue.
They are often highly required in cartography and topography to provide support in projects by determining exact measurements of the areas, capturing data, 3D models and real models in images and video.
It should be noted that these pilots have the freedom to work as independent professionals, offering aerial photography services, inspections and even providing personal courses to learn how to fly a drone.
Although drone technology has become essential for surveillance and audiovisual production, drone pilots are also in high demand in the surveillance and rescue sector, inspection of production facilities, or road control.
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What are the skills of a Drone Pilot?
To achieve complete professional training as a drone pilot, technical knowledge must be obtained along with certain skills.
This includes knowledge of aviation safety regulations and procedures as well as knowledge of drone technology. Drone pilots must also have the ability to read and interpret maps and plans.
Motor skills and hand-to-eye coordination are crucial skills when it comes to being a drone pilot since pilots are required to manipulate various controls at the same time.
Drone pilots must also have strong attention to detail, know how to solve problems and know how to work well in a team. They must also have excellent communication and problem solving skills as well as mechanical and electronic skills to provide maintenance to the drones.
What are the skills needed to be a drone pilot?
- Technical knowledge of flight and drone management (altitude, speed, etc.)
- Knowledge of aviation safety regulations and procedures
- Strong knowledge of drone technology
- Ability to read and interpret maps and plans
- Experience in using tablets or smartphones to control the drone remotely
- Understanding local drone laws
- Strong hand-to-eye coordination
- Strong motor skills
- Communication skills to coordinate with the creative team
- Quick decision-making and problem solving skills to avoid accidents
- Knowledge of security and privacy
- Ability to stay calm under pressure
What do you need to be a Drone Pilot?
Becoming a drone pilot requires a series of specific skills and knowledge that can be acquired through certain training. It is a profession open to any professional and even to those who do not yet have a university degree.
Commonly, this professional training can be achieved by completing a series of mandatory courses endorsed by the aviation authority in the country in which you reside. In addition to this, you will need certain essential requirements and will need continuous training to expand knowledge and skills that are constantly updated in the field.
This is what you’ll need to do to work as a certified drone pilot in the US:
- Make sure you learn the Part 107 rules and have basic knowledge of what is and isn’t allowed.
- Become an FAA certified drone pilot by taking the knowledge test – to do this you must obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN), create an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering, schedule an appointment and then take the test.
- Register your drone in the FAA.
What courses are there to be a drone pilot?
There are many courses for piloting drones and some are specialised in specific industries. Find options down below:
- Drone Mapping, Modeling & Surveying Bundle
- Part 107 Remote Pilot
- Real Estate Photo & Video
- FAA-Certified Drone Pilot to Fly for Commercial Use
- Aerial Photography and Videography Course
- Disaster Response Drone Training
It is important to note that depending on the location, the requirements may differ. For this reason, researching the requirements and prestigious institutions in your area is a good way to find the most suitable training.
Salary of a Drone Pilot
The average salary for a drone pilot is around $64,000. Pilots who are just starting out can earn around $24,000 per year whereas those with years of experience can earn around $184,000 per year.
Just like other areas or positions, the final salary of the drone pilot will depend on their specific experience, training, the equipment they have, their availability, etc.
In general, these professionals tend to offer their services for a certain period of time and for a certain project. Consequently, the final average can depend on the duration of the project, the equipment used and the tasks assigned.
Despite the fact that this is affected by the country, industry, experience and specialisation, all drone pilots are paid well in view of the difficulty of carrying out this role.
In Germany, drone pilots can make anywhere between €36,000 – €63,000 whereas in the UK, they can make between £26,000 – £85,000 per year.
How much do drone pilots make?
| US | $24,000 – $184,000 |
| Germany | €36,000 – €63,000 |
| UK | £26,000 – £85,000 |
Drone pilot: A profession for freelancers
The projects in which the help of a drone pilot is required are often one-off projects for companies. For this reason, many of these professionals work on a project basis and not full-time in a company.
For example, a communication agency may hire them to curate an event or take some shots for an advertising spot. An agricultural company may ask them to make a flight to check the status of their harvest or take images of a specific forest fire.
Certifying yourself as a drone pilot can be a good opportunity for freelance photographers or in general for publicists and creatives.
How much do freelance drone pilots make?
Drone Pilots on freelancermap charge on average:
Rates in the Drone industry range between $40 and $96/hour for most freelancers.
The daily rate for Drone Pilots (8 working hours) would be around:
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