Drone pilots remotely operate aircraft used in work like surveying, filmmaking and aerial photography.
Starter salary not found - Experienced salary not found
37 to 39 a week (between 8am and 6pm)
You'll need:
You'll need to:
have operational authorisation to fly drones, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
You can get into this job through:
You can apply for jobs directly. Most employers will expect you to have a minimum of 40 hours of recorded drone flying experience.
If you are in the armed forces or the police, you may be able to train as an aerial vehicle pilot to operate drones for military or security purposes.
You'll normally need a flyer ID, operator ID and insurance to fly drones for commercial purposes.
To get these, you would complete training with a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. Training, including flight skills, can last between 2 and 4 days and covers:
You'll also have to write an operations manual describing how you are going to use your drone commercially.
After successfully completing training, you can apply for operational authorisation for the type of drone you are flying.
You must renew this every 12 months.
You can get more advice about working and training as a drone pilot from:
As a commercial drone pilot, you'll:
You could work on a film set, on a construction site, in the countryside or in a control room.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.
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