Drones have changed the way we work, and we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg.
Until this point, many industries have relied on third-party services to operate their drones and deliver results. But the drone sector has changed, and businesses need to invest in their own drone capabilities to stay ahead of the competition.
Developing in-house training programs is the way forward. These programs need to cover more than licensing and basic piloting – they must focus on drone systems as a whole. This includes the drones themselves, payloads, sensors, software, control systems and more.
In the industry, we’d refer to this as an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and growing your UAS capabilities is the way forward for private businesses.
Why Drone Training is Crucial in Various Sectors
Advanced drone training is one of the biggest opportunities your business will ever encounter. Effective training programs can provide the following benefits:
Greater Operational Capabilities
The right UAS is crucial in preparing your business for the future. Third-party drone service providers have traditionally been able to deliver the operational capabilities you need, but this is changing rapidly.
Every industry faces unique challenges. These applications overlap in some areas, but they require specific training and experience to fully exploit your drone capabilities.
For example, here’s how some major industries use their drone systems:
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Energy
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Agriculture
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Surveying
Mining
Mapping, modelling, prospecting, environmental impact, asset inspection, volumetric and stockpile measurements, and project planning.
This is just a small example of how drones are delivering operational capabilities for various industries. The applications extend far beyond this list, and include industries that aren’t yet investing in the technology.
Developing in-house capabilities ensures you are ready for the unique challenges of your industry. It also means you can drive down the cost of drone operations and system development, improving your overall competitiveness.
Greater Efficiencies
One of the primary drawcards of drone systems is their efficiency. When compared to manual alternatives, drones collect data faster and more accurately, and generally require fewer resources to get the job done.
That allows your business to save money and allow personnel to focus on tasks that require manual intervention.
While there is a tradeoff in terms of equipment and training costs, these investments can easily pay for themselves when compared to manual operations.
Regulatory Compliance
Australia’s drone laws are constantly evolving. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is working hard to update legislation and keep pace with the industry’s growth.
Staying compliant with these laws is challenging. Compliance is also a limiting factor in drone operations. While drone systems can be used to deliver greater efficiencies and capabilities, it’s important that your teams understand their limitations.
In-house training programs ensure your operators are aware of industry-specific compliance requirements. This assists with mission planning and execution, and can help you build a relationship with regulators to streamline drone operations.
Industry-Specific Drone Training
Standing up your own drone training capabilities is an investment. But it’s an important part of preparing your business for the future.
There are several industries that can benefit from in-house drone capabilities and purpose-built training programs, including:
- Mining and minerals processing
- Surveying
- Construction and engineering
- Agriculture and forestry
- Defence and surveillance
- Disaster recovery
- Energy production
- Environmental management
In-house training and capabilities ensure drone operators can meet the unique challenges of your industry. Being dependent on third-party providers may reduce margins and competitiveness, preventing your organisation from becoming an industry leader.
Competitive Advantage
Every industry has its own use for drones. While there’s significant overlap in the technologies, the exact application varies.
Growing your private drone capabilities ensures your operators are industry specialists. Their training and experience can drive insights that wouldn’t be achievable through third-party drone service providers, giving you a competitive advantage.
This advantage grows when we also consider the operational efficiencies that drones can offer. Reducing costs and project turnaround times is good for you and it’s great for your clients.
Grow Your Drone Training Capabilities With Toll Uncrewed Systems
Drone systems are more accessible than ever. As the technology advances, it becomes more powerful and affordable, and it’s a major opportunity for your business.
Developing your own drone operators and systems is a serious investment. Toll Uncrewed Systems can make sure you’re investing in the right areas and develop a consulting package that’s tailored to your business.
Our experienced UAS consultants have unique insights into Australia’s drone regulations and training. This allows us to support your business to stand up and grow your drone capabilities.
We offer consulting packages that can include a RePL, ReOC, operator training, drone hardware and much more.
Contact us to see how we can take your business to new heights.
Drew is the National Sales Manager for Toll Uncrewed Systems.