Are you trying to restart your career? How about moving back to school for an MBA, or power engineering, or video-game programming, or for drone piloting? According to a report by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, there will be about 10,000 commercial drones by the year 2018.
Moreover, for such a huge drone requirement, they will need pilots. Pilots need to have proper training.
But, what is a drone? A drone is also known as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or as an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).
It is an unmanned aircraft which is flown distantly and includes a collection of small personal aircraft which can be raised by one person and can cost hundreds of dollars, to military investigation and attack aircraft that cost millions of dollars, with up to 130-foot wingspan, and can be armed with various missiles.
Authorization of Commercial Drone Operations
Currently, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is sanctioning operations of commercial drone. There are two circles of guidelines available depending on the kind of operation. The necessities for who may operate the UAV are dissimilar for each variety of operations.
Directions for Private Citizens/ Commercial Operators
This set of direction relates to commercial enterprises or individuals who are not engaged by or working for an administrative/ government agency.
This rule applies any time users are working a drone in the continuation of business even if no direct compensation is present.
Directions for people who are Government agency employees
This set of directions is for people who fly drones related to the government entities’ activities (state, local, and federal government agencies). This rule applies to those who are currently working at the government entities or are working under the government bodies to function the drone.
All the involved Government agencies need to have a COA (Certificate of Authorization) from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) that plans the conditions that they need to follow to fly a drone. Although, some COAs allow the agencies to self-certify their pilots.
This also reflects that a drone operator may not be necessary to have a Remote Pilot’s Certificate or a Pilot’s certificate, but they will have to prove awareness of FAA rules by finishing an FAA knowledge test.
What does all this mean?
- From August 29, 2016, onwards, it is mandatory for an individual to hold a remote pilot airman certificate along with a small UAS rating for flying a small UAS.
To be able to appear on the Remote Pilot Certificate, an individual must have the following-
- Validate aeronautical knowledge by either holding a part 61 pilot certificate or by passing the preliminary aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge-testing center.
- Individuals can also complete a flight evaluation within the previous 24 months, and complete a minor UAS online training course delivered by the FAA.
- Both of the requirements as mentioned above need to be inspected by the TSA, and you must have attained a minimum age of 16 to qualify for the test. The Part 61 pilot certificate holders can get a provisional remote pilot certificate instantly upon submission of their request for a permanent certificate.
- If you are not a pilot yet but want to fly a drone legally, there are some schools, which can help you undertake the first step and help you in the knowledge test. Getting a pilot certificate is a great achievement and it is key for those who wish to earn income by hovering a drone.
Piloting an Unmanned Aircraft is a budding career opportunity.
The mixed combination of very high value and low cost is motivating fast approval of drones for many businesses.
Some of the new practices for UAS aircraft include oil and gas line surveillance, search and rescue, law enforcement, agriculture, videography, entertainment, real estate sales, photography, and aerial surveying. As we are currently using them more and more, there will be countless users in the coming years.
What the future holds?
Although the full integration of commercial UASs is far from reality, big businesses are already standing in line to pour money into the emerging industry.
With huge hopes of offering services to inaccessible locations, many high-flying solar-powered drone companies are trying to make a big deal. This new concept is already a rage.
Also, the emerging UAV industry is ready to offer good salary jobs for pilots desiring to fly drones. With airline pilot salaries starting at a low base of $20,000s, drone pilots can anticipate creating at least $60,000 or even a six-digit salary right out of school if they are eager to work.
But, the question is, will they fly the drones in contrast to the manned airplanes?
Most probably yes.
Flying drones offers a lot more exciting offers and consists of a better appreciation for the practicality of UAVs. With FAA taking the correct approach on the detailing of regulations, guidelines, and integration of flying of UASs, and UAVs, the day is not far when many drones would be used more often than the usually manned aircraft for the countless purpose.