Why Getting a Drone License is an Investment in Your Future
In today's rapidly evolving job market, obtaining a drone license is more than just a certification—it's a strategic investment in your future. As drones become indispensable tools across a wide range of industries, from agriculture to filmmaking, the demand for skilled drone operators is skyrocketing. By getting a drone license, you unlock a plethora of job opportunities that not only offer competitive salaries but also provide the chance to work in dynamic and innovative fields. Whether you're interested in data collection, aerial photography, or even delivery services, a drone license equips you with the skills and credentials to stay ahead of the curve and capitalize on the growing need for drone expertise.
The other week, I was chatting with a group of friends and we got on the topic of work. Turns out, four out of the five people in the group use drones for work. One person uses drones for real estate photography, another is a contractor in Alberta, using drones for surveying on big projects and another works at an environmental organization and uses drone videography for wildlife conservation efforts. Just five years ago, such widespread use of drones in the workplace would have been unimaginable. This rapid adoption of drones highlights how quickly and extensively this technology is being integrated into various industries.
The Rapid Growth of the Drone Industry
Drones, also commonly known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the USA, or remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) in Canada, have revolutionized numerous industries by providing innovative solutions to traditional problems. The drone industry's rapid growth can be attributed to technological advancements, affordability, and the versatile applications of drones. From capturing aerial photographs to conducting land surveys, drones have opened up new possibilities across various fields. As drone technology and its applications continue to evolve, the demand for skilled drone operators is surging. This presents a golden opportunity for individuals looking to future-proof their careers. According to flyingmag.com, the value of the global commercial drone market is expected to hit a record high of $1.2 trillion in 2030, just six years away. As the industry continues to grow, the regulations and capabilities will continue to grow and expand with it, creating even more opportunities for drones to be incorporated into careers.
Advanced Drone License: Your Way In
In Canada, there are two types of licenses a pilot can get. A Basic License, which allows Pilots of fly Basic Operations, or and Advanced License which allows pilots to fly Advanced Operations. A license is NOT required for drones that weigh under 250g, but, any drone that will make you money will likely be over that weight limit, and having a license is a good signifier to any possible employer that you know what you’re doing.
As outlined by Transport Canada, Basic Operations and Advanced Operations are as follows:
Basic Operations
If you meet all 5 of these conditions, you're conducting basic operations:
You fly it in uncontrolled airspace
You fly it more than 30 metres (100 feet) horizontally from bystanders
You never fly it over bystanders
You fly it more than 3 nautical miles from a certified airport or a military aerodrome
You fly it more than 1 nautical mile from a certified heliport
If you do not meet any 1 of these 5 conditions, you are conducting advanced operations.
Advanced Operations
If you meet any 1 of these conditions, you are conducting advanced operations:
You want to fly in controlled airspace
You want to fly over bystanders
You want to fly within 30 metres (100 feet) of bystanders (measured horizontally)
You want to fly less than 3 nautical miles from a certified airport or a military aerodrome
You want to fly less than 1 nautical mile from a certified heliport
Getting your Basic license only requires passing the Transport Canada Small Basic Exam, scoring 65% or higher. The Advanced license requires a passing score of This being said, Transport Canada also mentions “We strongly recommend that you attend a drone flight school before attempting the exam. Online exam questions are based on the Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. However, this document is not a study guide.”
For almost all commercial purposes, an Advanced License is the direction you’ll want to take. There’s a good chance you’ll want to fly in controlled airspace for one project or another, and that will require an Advanced license.
Where do drones fit in?
As I mentioned earlier, drones are transforming industries across the board. To give you a non-exhaustive list, drones are being used for delivery, from Walmart deliveries to medical supplies to remote communities. Artistically and creatively, drones are used for photography and cinematography projects. On the more practical and industrial side, drones are indispensable for inspections and surveying. In life-saving scenarios, drones assist with search and rescue missions and support emergency response efforts. Environmentally, drones support wildlife and ecosystem monitoring and conservation. The short answer is, drones are being used everywhere.
What we’re noticing as a drone training school, is that more and more frequently, our students are made up of individuals looking to transition career-wise whether that’s out of their current career into a new one, or just advance in their current company, recognizing the need for drones. On the other hand, we get a lot of employers requiring their employees to get drone training because they can see where the technology is going, and how having drones within their workflow can improve processes on multiple different levels. We get such a range of students, hoping to use their training for a large variety of drone operations.
Job opportunities with a drone license
To list all the job opportunities where having a drone license would be beneficial would be a huge undertaking, we’ve seen this far that the possibilities are almost endless. From creative endeavours to practical industrial use, drones take any project to the next level. On a high level, as a drone pilot, your job will likely consist of taking photos, videos, or collecting some other form of data.
Data Collection
Surveying and Mapping: conducting land surveys, creating topographic maps, and generating 3D models. Want to learn how to easily make maps with your drone? Check out Nova!
Precision Agriculture: monitor crop health, manage irrigation, and assess soil conditions.
Infrastructure inspection: inspecting infrastructure like (but not limited to) bridges, pipelines, power lines, and cell towers
Public Safety and Emergency Services: Assisting in search and rescue, disaster response, and firefighting by providing real-time data.
Insurance: Inspecting damage and assessing claims.
Oil and Gas: Inspecting pipelines and offshore platforms.
Aerial Photography and Videography (a lot of the jobs listed in the data collection section could technically be in this category as well because the data is usually in the form of an image but likely require post processing to make the data actionable)
Real estate photography: capturing aerial images and creating virtual tours for property listings
Media and Entertainment: Filming dynamic shots for movies, TV shows, advertising, and live events.
Aerial Photography for Events: Documenting weddings, concerts, and other personal or public events.
As we have discovered, drone jobs are plentiful and growing. Whatever industry you are in, or hope to be in, it’s likely that drones can find their way into it. The rapid adoption of drones across various industries highlights their versatility and effectiveness. As drone technology continues to evolve, the demand for skilled drone operators will only increase. Obtaining a drone license not only prepares you for a wide range of job opportunities but also ensures you stay ahead in a rapidly changing job market. Whether you're interested in agriculture, media, infrastructure inspection, disaster response, environmental monitoring, logistics, archaeology, or the oil and gas industry, a drone license is a valuable investment in your future.
With ongoing advancements in drone technology and the emergence of new applications, the potential for career growth and innovation is limitless. Take the leap, get certified, and explore the exciting opportunities that await you in the drone industry. The sky's the limit!
-The FlySmart Team
