DRONE PILOTS – CAREER ENHANCEMENT STEP

The drone industry is on the rise, and projections show that it will continue to grow at an impressive pace over the next few years. The potential for drone manufacturing in India is estimated to be around US$4.2 billion by 2025, with an expected value of US$23 billion by 2030. With these impressive figures, it's clear that the drone industry is an area of immense potential for India and presents a vast opportunity for those looking to carve out a successful career in this exciting field.

As the Indian government actively seeks to establish the country as a leader in drone manufacturing, the demand for skilled drone pilots is expected to skyrocket across various industries. Drone pilots play a critical role in a wide range of sectors, including Agriculture, Construction, Film and entertainment, Military and defense, and Delivery services. They can gather crucial data, provide real-time monitoring and analysis, and perform tasks that would be dangerous or impossible for humans to undertake.

The major roles and responsibilities of drone pilots include:

Flying the drone: Piloting and controlling the drone's movements.

Planning the flight: Preparing flight path and accounting for potential hazards.

Monitoring the flight: Keeping track of the drone's position and surrounding conditions.

Recording data and footage: Capturing photos, videos, and data using drone equipment.

Maintaining the drone: Ensuring proper maintenance and upkeep of the drone.

Reporting incidents: Reporting any accidents or incidents to the relevant authorities.

Additionally, Drone pilots in India must comply with various regulations to ensure the safety and security of the airspace and individuals on the ground. These include registering the drone with the DGCA, avoiding restricted zones, respecting no-fly zones, obtaining necessary permissions for commercial or controlled airspace, and following safety precautions.

How to become a certified drone pilot in India?

To become a drone pilot in India, one needs to obtain a drone pilot license from a DGCA-approved institute, which administers the training and examination. The training modules cover air navigation, drone systems, aerodynamics, rotor dynamics, meteorology, regulations, and safety. After completing the training, candidates must pass a written exam and a practical test to obtain their Remote Pilot License (RPL). To be eligible for the RPL, one must meet certain criteria. One needs to be between 18-65 years of age, have a valid passport, and possess a minimum educational qualification of Class 10.

Career Paths and Opportunities:

Aerial photography and videography: Capturing aerial footage with drones for films, TV shows, and more

Education and training: Teaching others how to fly and operate drones or offering industry-specific training courses.

Surveying and mapping: Use drones to create accurate maps and 3D models of terrain and buildings.

Search and rescue: Assist emergency responders in locating missing persons and surveying disaster areas.

Security and surveillance: Monitoring large events and securing critical infrastructure with drones for increased security.

Delivery Services: Companies such as Amazon and UPS are exploring the uses of drones for package delivery, creating new opportunities for drone pilots.

Inspection and maintenance: Inspect infrastructure and reduce the need for costly manual inspections.

Environmental monitoring: Collect data on air and water quality, wildlife populations, and more with drone sensors.

Advance Your Career as a Drone Pilot with RAXA

RAXA Academy, founded in 2007, is a leading institution in drone training. The Academy has a team of experienced and well-trained staff, who provide DGCA-approved training. The academy has successfully trained many drone pilots and is empanelled with many institutes for providing drone pilot training to their students.

The Academy offers two courses: the Drone Pilot Training Course, a six-day program that includes simulators, online theory classes, and offline instruction to provide individuals with the best sector-specific training; and the Advanced Drone Industrial Training course, a 10- to 30-day program (depending on the level of the course) that provides industrial-level training in drone operations, assembly, fixed-wing drone operations, certification from PIX 4D, and other skills necessary for future drone utilization.