MAD Times 16/2023

Author: G N Madhu and Bharat Ram

Drone Pilot…..As a Career

Drone pilot - the term is used to describe a person who can navigate/fly/ command a drone and its operations, basically remotely control a drone. Drone pilots conduct safety check ups - pre and post flight, oversee performance and assess the drone’s capabilities and use the camera/sensors on board for specific purposes.Drone pilots must possess proficiency in flying maneuvers and navigation and must still be capable of piloting the aircraft manually in case of technical failures or unexpected situations. They must also be capable of ensuring safe flight following the rules and regulations and using sensor data.?

A drone pilot’s primary responsibility is to ensure safe and lawful operation of the UAV, understanding and following Aviation regulations set by Civil aviation authorities such as the Directorate general of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the United Kingdom or the Federal aviation administration (FAA) in the USA.?

Pilots must obtain the necessary certifications, such as the Remote Pilot Certificate in India or the part 107 certificate in the USA? which demonstrates their understanding of airspace rules, safety procedures, and operational limitations.

In India, to become a drone pilot you need to be minimum of 18 years old, possess a 10th std certificate with english and also provide a valid medical certificate along with 2 identification proofs like aadhar, driving license, passport is not mandatory now and complete training from a RPTO authorized by the DGCA.?

?Aspiring Drone pilots need to complete their training at DGCA authorized RPTO’s (Remote pilot training organization), the time duration is from 5-7 days depending on the particular RPTO. The lowest cost of training in India is 30k approx for small category and 45k approx for medium category, once training is successfully completed drone pilots receive a RPC (Remote pilot certificate) which is valid for 10 years from date of issuance.?

? The average basic salary for Drone pilots in India ranges from 18-30 k per month and experienced drone pilots can earn 45-50k per month depending on the nature of work like industrial inspection, solar -thermal inspections and NDT testing. Defence sector Drone pilots can earn upwards of 70k to 1 lakh per month.?

The trend is good and many students who finish Aerospace, Mechanical and Electrical engineering can look at this sector as a skill programme which enables them to have a part time activity at their door step. As the demand is high, several growth stage firms are looking for pilots and co pilots to execute their operations and having this skill can become handy.?

DGCA has a curriculum where approved training centres carry out this curriculum through a theoretical session, a simulator session and a practical flying session giving the pilot hands one experience at the field followed by a test enabling them to become a pilot who are then registered in the DGCA portal.?

Several drone firms, training firms are gearing upto set up training centres Pan India to tap this opportunity which also throws an insight on? requirement of instructors which is also in demand.