Drone Pilot (UAV Operator)
🎮Flies drones for aerial filming, pipeline and crop surveys, power-line inspection and deliveries. Plans the flight and keeps an eye on the feed and the weather.
Prospects & pay
What the work is like
🤖 AI & automation
Drones are quickly learning to fly themselves, so routine surveys and filming will go to autonomy. Complex missions, maintenance and flight responsibility remain.
Who it suits
Interests: ✈️ Transport, flying, sea, ⚙️ Tech and engineering, 🏕️ Outdoor work, expeditions, 🔧 Making things by hand.
Key strengths: manual dexterity, organisation.
Where to study
- Course Remote pilot certificate: EU A2 CofC / STS, UK GVC, US FAA Part 107
- Vocational College courses in surveying, GIS or media production plus drone training
Key school subjects (A-level / IB / AP): Geography, Physics.
🧗 Training and an exam for a remote pilot certificate: EU A2 CofC/STS, UK GVC, US FAA Part 107. Work comes from skills in filming, surveying or inspection; often freelance.
Things to know
🧳 Frequent work trips🏔️ Long stints far from home
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