Oh, The Places You Can Go

So, you just earned your Part 107; now what? 

The commercial drone industry is rapidly growing. The need for commercial drone pilots in many sectors will remain strong for several years. That's great news for anyone with a Part 107. But what can you do with your drone now that you have a license? 

If you are new to the industry, you may not be aware of all the opportunities. Here are five industries you may want to consider working in now that you are a commercial drone pilot.

Precision agriculture

It’s becoming more difficult to feed the world’s growing population. Climate change, water shortages, and the lack of farmable land are all pressing issues for the agricultural industry. Precision agriculture is the only way we will grow enough food, and drones can help.

If your drone is equipped with a multispectral camera, you can provide all sorts of essential data to farmers and ranchers. Drones used for precision agriculture can count plants, identify nitrate levels in the soil, monitor water usage, and even show which plants in a field have diseases.

Construction

The need to build is always there whether the economy is strong or weak. The global construction industry is enormous, and drones are becoming a significant player within the field.

Using standard off-the-shield commercial drones like those made by Skydio and DJI, you can begin working in construction. UAVs can map building sites, inspect building progress, aid in project management, and can help keep track of equipment and supplies.

Real Estate

Real estate photography is one of the best places to start as a commercial drone pilot. Most residential and commercial real estate agents need to market their properties, and that means they need pictures.

Drones offer a unique perspective of properties and their surrounding area. Now you can help provide the shots and videos for flyers, website listings, and social media. A bonus is that real estate is also a great place to start because you don't need an expensive drone for run-of-the-mill properties.

Cinematography/Photography

Lights, camera, action! Drones have a growing role in cinematography, from movies to commercials, UAVs are on the scene. Those incredible shots of flying into a location that used to require a helicopter are now accomplished with drone technology.

With the right combination of drone and camera, you can be a part of this growing field. Major motion picture studios and small-scale operations all need UAVs.

Inspections

Cell tower sites, wind turbines, solar farms, and other industrial sites need periodic inspections. Traditionally, people have conducted these, often placing themselves in precarious positions. 

UAVs are excellent platforms for inspections. Drones can approach utility sites from just about any angle. When equipped with zoom and thermal cameras, they can provide valuable information to managers, engineers, repair technicians, and planners. Drones are safer and often far less expensive than other methods.

These are just a few of the many different jobs out there. What will you choose?

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In a future article, we'll dive deeply into getting started (and tips for success) as a drone real estate photographer. Don’t forget to check out our 14-Day Drone Pilot CHALLENGE and take your skills to the next level. Happy and safe flying!

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Article Written by David Daly