Drone training and courses are the first step towards a career in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. Like other fields, drone pilots have access to a range of specialties that can have a major impact on your career and earning potential.
As the technology expands, we expect to see businesses finding even more uses for their drone platforms. For the time being though, we’re going to take a look at some of the top drone careers in 2024, and what you need to get started in the industry.
Australia’s Top Drone Careers in 2024
Asset Inspection
Infrastructure assets are some of the largest and most complex structures on the planet. Roads, bridges, tunnels, power transmission poles and other structures are critical to our way of life, and they require constant maintenance.
Government bodies, insurers, engineers and construction firms are increasingly using drones to assist in the maintenance process. With the ability to safely and rapidly capture images, videos and 3D models of assets, drones can be used to identify defects that require attention.
Inspecting these assets was traditionally performed manually. Personnel would need to access assets to check for things like cracks, corrosion, leaks and other types of damage. Not only was this process time consuming, it posed significant risks to personnel.
Using drones to perform inspections makes the process quick, safe and affordable.
As a career path, drone asset inspectors can expect to use specialised drone platforms to capture data and identify defects in assets. This is a varied role that could see you inspecting public infrastructure in city centres, or navigating Outback power transmission lines to check for signs of damage.
Surveying and Mapping
One of the greatest strengths of drones is their ability to capture information about large areas of land. Unlike your own two feet, drones aren’t constrained by distance or difficult terrain, and are widely used for surveying and mapping purposes.
Drone surveyors use their RPAs to record information about properties that are undergoing development, such as new construction. Similarly, drone mapping may be used to support planning and delivery by creating maps that can be used to assess an area ahead of a project.
Drone surveying and mapping supports a broad range of industries and services, such as:
- Construction and engineering
- Mining and resource generation
- City planning and real estate
- Agriculture and forestry
- Nature preservation
As a drone surveyor, you can expect to use state of the art drone platforms to capture detailed images, LiDAR, GPS, infrared and other sensor data over a given area.
This data is transformed into accurate survey data and 3D models using dedicated software. You will play a role in both capturing and interpreting data, helping clients to extract the information they need.
Agriculture and Crop Spraying
The sheer size of modern agriculture operations means they can be challenging to manage. Drones are changing this, allowing operators to monitor every corner of their farm at a glance.
Agriculture drones are specialist equipment that can be used to monitor crop health, plan projects, create maps, survey plantations and execute crop spraying regimens. This provides significant cost and time savings for farmers, and it can even allow them to automate regular chores, such as spraying.
In your career as an agricultural drone operator, you’ll use RPAs to monitor and assess crops, spray herbicides and other chemicals, track wildlife, monitor crop yield and more.
Aerial Photography and Videography
One of the most common uses of drone technology is to capture images and videos. This is done for surveying, mapping and inspection purposes, but it’s also popular in the real estate and entertainment industries.
Drone photographers and videographers use RPAs to capture detailed imagery. This differs from other types of drone operators, as videographers specialise in the creative side of the business. Understanding how to take beautiful photos and videos is a unique skill that extends beyond the capabilities of typical drone pilots.
As an aerial photographer and videographer, you will use commercial drones and high end cameras to create footage that can be used in movies, TV shows, advertisements, real estate marketing, weddings and more.
Emergency and Disaster Management
Minutes can count during a disaster, and the speed and versatility of drones means they are uniquely suited to emergency response.
When floods, fires, earthquakes and other disasters occur, first responders are often tasked with locating and helping those who have been affected. This can be especially challenging in dark, smoky or remote areas, but drones can be used to work around these issues.
Equipped with state-of-the-art cameras and sensors, drones can locate survivors in all conditions, providing crucial information that rescuers can use to plan missions.
As an emergency response drone pilot, you will work in challenging conditions to support rescuers, plan missions, locate affected people, assess impassable terrain and more. Your skill as a pilot will be critical in helping people who need support, and you can make a real difference during disaster and emergency situations.
How to Start Your Career as a Drone Pilot in Australia
The evolution of drone technology means there are more opportunities than ever to break into the industry. If you’re interested in any of the above roles, you can begin your career by undertaking Remote Pilots Licence (RePL) training.
An RePL is a certification issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that allows you to operate drones on a commercial basis. With an RePL, you are permitted to fly drones on behalf of a business that offers services such as aerial photography, mapping, surveying, crop spraying, asset inspection and more.
That’s great if you’re happy to work for an established drone company. If you’re thinking about working for yourself, you’ll also need to obtain a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC). Your ReOC allows you to operate a drone business in some of Australia’s most lucrative industries.
Both your RePL and ReOC can be obtained by undertaking drone training courses with an accredited provider.
Get Started in Australia’s Top Drone Careers with Toll Uncrewed Systems
Breaking into the drone industry is a great way to get your hands on some of the world’s most exciting technologies! If you want to explore more of what drones have to offer, you’ll need to start by investing in RPAS training with Toll Uncrewed Systems.
Toll Uncrewed Systems is a registered provider of drone training programs. We work in Australia’s major cities, offering everything from RePL and ReOC courses to advanced training in photography, night operations, crop spraying and more.
Our courses are delivered by veteran pilots with real-world experience. Whatever goals you have in mind, we can provide training that allows you to take your career to new heights. You can browse our courses online at any time. Contact us if you need help selecting the best drone training programs for your career ambitions!