How to Become a Drone Pilot?

Do you really like playing video games? Here is an awesome profession for you which can actually pay you well for doing the same! And this profession is of a Drone pilot. Drone, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is controlled guided by a pilot using a software gadget. This control panel software gadget resembles the game stick to a great extent. 

Majority of people learn to fly drones as a hobby. But with the advancement of technology and support of government bodies, it has become a full-fledged career option! Are you wondering about the steps you need to follow to become a professional in this field? We have gathered the necessary information to guide you through the process.

Who is a Drone Pilot?

A drone pilot is exactly what it sounds like –  a person who pilots a drone. Just a few years ago, drones were either used by the military for defense or for recreational purposes. Now there is increasing demand for drone pilots in the police, construction sites, disaster management, agriculture, and industrial inspection, mapping and surveying.

It is important for a pilot to not only know how to fly it but also understand aerial movement and have a 3-dimensional understanding of flight.

Why Do We Need These Pilots?

Drones are useful in areas where immediate emergency response is needed. They were used to combat forests by identifying areas prone to fires and the firefighters stopped further damage. They are also used to deliver goods. Recently waste management is also done by drones. Construction planning, infrastructure development, urban planning, inventory management, surveillance, cinemas, and more. With so many jobs needing drones, drone pilots are always in demand. 

Must Read: How to Become a Pilot After 12th

Skills & Requirements

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) proposed a few regulations to be a drone pilot: 

1. Age more than 18 years
2. 10th passed in English
3. Should be trained at any DGCA-recognised flight training organizations
4.  Their syllabi must include flight planning, radio technology, basic knowledge about flight and aerodynamics, and aviation meteorology.

Roles and Responsibilities of Drone Pilots

A drone pilot’s primary duties include flying drones along predetermined routes and doing safety checks before each operation. Additional duties include:

1. Determine drone flight paths.

2. Check drones before a flight to guarantee safe operation and landing 

3. Operate cameras and other equipment the drone carries

4. Evaluate the capabilities of drones and conduct safety checks

5. Compile information or take aerial pictures

6. Guide drones along predetermined routes

List of Courses

The list of courses to become a drone pilot are listed below:

1. Aviation Business
2. Private Plot Theory
3. Advanced UAS operations
4. Mechanism of UAV
5. Air Traffic Control Systems
6. Aerodynamics
7. Flight Simulations

Best Institutes to Become a Drone Pilot 

The best institutes to become a drone pilot are:

1. Part 107 of FAA
   Duration: 14 Lectures Online
   Fees Structure: $50
   Instructor: Tim Trott

2. Purdue University
   Bachelors in Unmanned Aerial Systems 

3. University of Nevada
   A minor Degree programme in Unmanned Autonomous Systems 

4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
   Bachelors in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science and Masters in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems Engineering

Check out – How to Become a Commercial Pilot?

Top Training Institutes of India

Given below are some popular Indian institutes which provide professional training to be a drone pilot – 

Indian Institute of Drones (IID), Andhra Pradesh

IID is a Government recognized training institute which focuses on learning the art of piloting drones. The faculty are highly qualified professionals and some have been drone pilots for the Navy and army.

Courses Offered: 

• Diploma in Multirotor Drone Pilot Course (2kg)
  Fees 23,000 INR
• Diploma in Multirotor Drone Pilot Course (25kg)
  Fees 57,800 INR
• Diploma in Fixed Wing Drone Pilot Course (25kg)
  Fees 81.400 INR

Duration of Course: Two to Seven days

Stay: OYO hotels in available walking distance.

MaxTorq UAV Flight School, Chennai

MaxTorq UAV Flight School was founded by a group of drone pilots from different companies together and spread knowledge to the newer generations.

Courses Offered: 

• Remote Pilot License Training 
• Aerial Survey and Mapping
• Filming
• Industrial Examination
• Emergency Identification and handling

Duration of Course: FIve to Fifteen days

Fees Structure: Up to 30,000 INR

Stay: A Roohul Ameen

Aerizone, Nagpur

Aerizone teaches UAV training, 2D 3D Mapping Information and more courses. 

Courses Offered: 

• Basic UAV workshop
• Aerial Cinematography
• Mapping Course

Duration of Course: Three to Ten days

Fees Structure: 15,000 – 25,000 INR

Stay: Treebo Trend Club VNA and OYO rooms in walking distance

Scope of a Drone Pilot

Drones are used in many industries. Drone pilots are used for the inspection of power lines, telephone antennas, turbines, mining, and the transport of food. Startups like Aarav Unmanned Systems help in mapping, Cron systems are used in border surveillance. Detect Technologies, Idea Forge, DroneTech Lab are other companies that are investing in drone technology. 

Some new government projects including UAVs incorporate particular drone power for surveying calamity circumstances or finding survivors of catastrophic events. Drones investigate to identify illicit mining and pilferage. Use of drones for managing the National Highways in India. Specialists in the field supposedly accept that the Drone Regulation Policy of 2018 will usher drone business that will encash their drone flying skills in various fields. 

Salary

Due to the various fields, the average pay is around 5.5 lacs INR a year. Starting from 4 lacs INR to 7 lacs INR. Assuredly, in a few years, the pay will increase due to the bright future of the field. The estimated salary is to increase by 42% by 2026.

Also Read – Commercial Pilot Courses

FAQs

We hope the information given above helps to clear your queries on how to be a drone pilot. You can always reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu for any career-related query!