John-Michael, a 9th grader at Texans Can Academy, has been an enthusiastic participant in the drone program since its inception in the fall of 2023. The class meets twice a week to study for the Part 107 test, learn about various sUAS drones, and explore the technology behind them. While most students enjoy a day off every other Friday, John-Michael and his peers engage in hands-on drone training, honing their flying skills and practicing complex maneuvers.

Texans Can teacher, Alfredo Carter, who joined the program in its inaugural year, emphasizes the importance of teamwork in drone education. “Getting to see the kids work together is incredible. You witness their communication and teamwork skills grow as they take on roles like the spotter and the drone pilot. This collaboration is what the classroom experience should be like across all subjects,” Carter said.

“Getting to see the kids work together is incredible. You witness their communication and teamwork skills grow”

Program Success Ingredients

The success of the program is evident in the achievements of its students. “You can see by their test scores that they tested well above the average student,” Mr. Carter noted, highlighting the effectiveness of the DARTdrones High School CTE Workforce Development Curriculum. Both students and teachers found the curriculum well-organized and easy to understand, breaking down complex information into manageable segments.

John-Michael expressed his enthusiasm for drone flying, stating, “My favorite part is getting to see new sights and a different perspective of things.” His confidence was unwavering as he prepared for the FAA Part 107 test. “I wasn’t nervous at all. I knew I was going to pass,” he said confidently. His next goal is to delve into drone photography and videography, potentially starting his own business using his acquired skills.

“I wasn’t nervous at all. I knew I was going to pass”

Mr. Carter praised the training materials provided by DARTdrones, stating, “The information DARTdrones provided was pretty solid. If the students take the time to study the material, they should do well.” He added that witnessing his students overcome challenges and succeed in their training is one of the most rewarding aspects of his role.

Texans Can Academy is committed to providing high-quality, student-centered education, and the success of its drone program is a testament to this mission. The academy’s use of a DJI mini drone has provided students with practical, hands-on experience, preparing them for real-world applications in the drone industry.

About Texans Can Academy

Texans Can Academies is a public charter high school district known for offering high-quality, student-centered education aimed at transforming lives and promoting economic independence. With 13 campuses across Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, the district provides an accelerated path to completing high school and offers robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to prepare students for real-world success.

About DARTdrones Workforce Development Program

The DARTdrones Workforce Development Program offers comprehensive drone training and consultation for individuals, organizations, and educational institutions. Their customizable curriculum and industry collaboration ensure relevance and effectiveness, while their professional training system supports successful drone integration within any organization. DARTdrones is committed to empowering educators and transforming drone education through its Train the Trainer Program.

To learn more about the DARTdrones Workforce Development Program, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com.

The post Texans Can Academy Celebrates First Year Success of Drone Program: Two Students Earn FAA Part 107 Drone License appeared first on DARTdrones.

May 09, 2024 – [UTAH] – DARTdrones, a pioneering force in the drone industry and the largest drone training and consulting company in the US, marks a significant milestone as it celebrates a decade of excellence and groundbreaking achievements. DARTdrones has emerged as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to empowering drone enthusiasts and professional drone pilots.

Where We’ve Been

Reflecting on the remarkable 10-year journey, Abby Speicher Carroll, Co-Founder and CEO of DARTdrones, shares her sentiments: “It feels surreal to commemorate a decade of relentless dedication and evolution at DARTdrones. What began as a MBA class project has blossomed into a long standing business serving many of the largest drone programs in the country.”

Over the past decade, DARTdrones has epitomized resilience, navigating through challenges and emerging stronger than ever. With a fervent dedication to excellence, DARTdrones has achieved significant milestones, including being featured on Shark Tank, training over 25,000 students, and training with industry giants such as Phillips 66, Boeing, and the FBI.

Abby Speicher Carroll reflects on the journey: “From humble beginnings to global recognition, DARTdrones has been a testament to perseverance and innovation. We’ve expanded our curriculum, trained professionals across diverse sectors, and ventured into international territories, leaving an indelible mark on the drone industry.”

Central to DARTdrones’ success is its exceptional team of instructors, meticulously selected from a pool of over 1,000 applicants. Their passion, expertise, and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the brand’s identity and fostering a culture of excellence.

SHARK TANK – “Episode 818”- In a special episode featuring millennial entrepreneurs, one will make the deal that takes the award-winning “Shark Tank” across the $100 million threshold of deals made in the Tank, on “Shark Tank,” airing FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 (9:00-10:01 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network.. (ABC/Michael Desmond)

Where We Are Going

Looking ahead, DARTdrones is poised for continued growth and innovation. With a focus on expanding its educational offerings, including licensing curriculum to educational institutions, DARTdrones is committed to empowering the next generation of drone enthusiasts and professionals.

Expressing gratitude to all who have contributed to DARTdrones’ success, Abby Speicher Carroll extends heartfelt appreciation: “To our dedicated team, esteemed instructors, loyal customers, and supportive community, thank you for being integral to our journey. Your unwavering support fuels our passion and propels us forward.”

As DARTdrones embarks on the next chapter of its journey, the future is bright with endless possibilities. With innovation as its compass and resilience as its fuel, DARTdrones is poised to redefine the future of the drone industry.

For media inquiries, please contact support@dartdrones.com.

About DARTdrones

DARTdrones is a leading provider of drone training and education, empowering individuals and organizations to harness the transformative potential of drones. With a comprehensive curriculum, experienced instructors, and a commitment to excellence, DARTdrones is revolutionizing the drone industry one flight at a time.

Follow DARTdrones on Linked and Facebook for updates and insights.

The post DARTdrones Celebrates 10 Years of Innovation and Success appeared first on DARTdrones.

DARTdrones makes teaching drone technology accessible and hassle-free. In this blog post, we’ll delve into how DARTdrones streamlines the process, providing teachers with the training and curriculum they need to excel in the classroom.

Comprehensive Drone Curriculum

Our foremost commitment is to offer educators a comprehensive turnkey curriculum. DARTdrones has meticulously designed a well-structured course outline, covering everything from drone basics to advanced flying techniques and real-world applications.

DARTdrones Intro to Drones Course includes:

• Year at a Glance
• Detailed Lesson Plans
• Answer Guides
• Exercise and Activity Outlines
• Teacher Guides
• Materials Lists

This turnkey curriculum takes the guesswork out of lesson planning and ensures educators have the resources to provide quality instruction.

User-Friendly Educational Resources

Recognizing that not all teachers have prior drone knowledge, we offer user-friendly resources that simplify complex concepts. Our materials feature clear explanations, step-by-step guides, and engaging multimedia content, making it effortless for educators to effectively understand and convey drone-related information.

Hands-On Learning Experience – “Train the Trainer”

“Train the Trainer” is DARTdrones’ unique program designed to train educators who will soon be facilitating drone instruction through hands-on interactive learning. During this comprehensive training, participants gain practical experience in flying drones, covering various commands and techniques. The program equips you with a strong foundation and the confidence to lead your own drone class effectively. Moreover, DARTdrones goes the extra mile by addressing challenging subject areas from the Part 107 test, including aviation maps, aviation weather, and airspace. With instruction from a manned aviation pilot, you’ll receive expert guidance to ensure you’re fully prepared to teach drone technology with confidence and competence.

Ongoing Teacher Support

Our commitment to educators extends beyond the classroom. We offer continuous support to teachers, ensuring they feel confident and supported throughout their teaching journey. Whether you need clarification, additional resources, or troubleshooting assistance, our team is just a message away.

Certification Opportunities

We’ve integrated certification opportunities into the program to enhance the value of our drone courses. Our curriculum aligns with industry standards, enabling students to earn recognized certifications, such as the Part 107 FAA drone license.  Educators can seamlessly incorporate certification preparations into their teaching, providing students with a clear path to career readiness.

Engaging and Interactive Content

Student engagement is paramount for successful teaching. Our curriculum includes interactive elements such as engaging activities, real-world case studies, and immersive lessons designed to captivate students’ interest and enthusiasm for drones. Educators can seamlessly integrate these elements into their classes.

Teaching drone courses in partnership with DARTdrones is a rewarding experience, even for educators without aviation backgrounds. We’ve removed the barriers, streamlined the process, and provided educators with the resources needed to make teaching drone technology accessible and enjoyable.

By offering a comprehensive curriculum, user-friendly resources, hands-on learning opportunities, ongoing support, certification readiness options, tailored training, and engaging content, we successfully empower educators to educate the next generation of drone enthusiasts and professionals.

Ready to embark on this exciting teaching journey with us? Contact our team to learn more about how we simplify teaching drone courses with DARTdrones. Together, we’ll prepare students for a future filled with endless possibilities in the world of drones.

The post How can a non-aviation teacher excel teaching a drone course? appeared first on DARTdrones.

Drone Industry Growth and Statistics

The global drone industry is not just soaring; it’s accelerating at a breathtaking pace. According to a 2023 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, the number of commercial drones in the United States is projected to grow from 42,000 units in 2017 to over 352,200 in 2023. As of late 2023, there are over 863,700 drones registered with the FAA. As reported by the Business Research Company, the commercial drone market size was valued at about $1.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to nearly $1.8 billion by 2023. According to the most recent forecasts, the commercial drone market is estimated to grow by USD 44.85 billion from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 38.97%.” 

Aerial photography and videography account for a significant slice of the commercial market, representing approximately 34% of drone-based services. Meanwhile, the agricultural drone sector is expected to expand at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 22.94% from 2022 to 2028, showcasing the increasing reliance on UAV technology for efficient farming practices. 

Other industries are currently growing within the drone sector as more and more companies are finding the benefits of utilizing drones as a tool in many trades and industries. 

Current Drone Jobs

• Self-Employed Drone Operator- The rise in commercial drone use has led to a significant demand for certified drone pilots. The FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test has seen a consistent increase in test-takers, with over 331,570 individuals obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate by late 2023. Starting a drone business has many parts, and the DARTdrones Starting a Drone Business is a logical first step for any drone entrepreneur. 

• Drone Aerial Surveyors- These professionals utilize drones to gather data for topographic surveys, agricultural planning, and environmental monitoring, providing insights that were once costly or impossible to obtain. Drone aerial surveyors need advanced drone training and equipment and additional software training for deliverables to utilize the drone fully. DARTdrones offers this type of advanced training in our mapping and modeling drone course. 

• Drone Cinematographers- In the film and television industry, drone cinematographers offer a new angle on storytelling, capturing breathtaking aerial footage that enchants viewers. DARTdrones offers a foundational drone aerial photography and videographer course. 

• Search and Rescue Drone Pilots and Coordinators- They leverage drone technology to locate missing persons and aid in disaster relief operations, where drones can go where humans and dogs cannot. Learn more about the SAR course at DART drones.

• sUAS Industrial Inspectors- These inspectors use drones to check the condition of infrastructure, including bridges, wind turbines, and cell towers, minimizing the need for risky human involvement. Aerial Inspections are usually broken into two types of training: Aerial Inspections and Infrastructure Inspections. 
• Drone Agricultural Specialists- Drones help in crop monitoring, irrigation management, and pest control, making the agricultural specialist role crucial for the modern farming ecosystem. UAVs can be equipped with different data collection sensors, such as RGB, multispectral (MS), hyperspectral or thermal cameras, or Lidar. Understanding how to gather this data can be a daunting task, but the DARTdrones Mapping and Modeling course helps our students gain the needed experience to gain the most out of their drones.
• Drone Delivery Coordinators- These individuals manage the logistical aspects of drone-based delivery services, a field that is rapidly expanding as companies like Amazon push the envelope on e-commerce.
• Drones in Construction and Mining- In the construction and mining sectors, drones are becoming increasingly vital, offering efficiency, safety, and precision. 

Training and Expertise

The drone industry, rich with opportunity, requires a diverse range of training and expertise to capitalize on its potential. Aspiring and novice drone pilots often face a barrier to entry into the higher lucrative jobs because of a lack of advanced drone training. DARTdrones is an industry leader in training drone professionals to be workforce-ready. 

• sUAS Certification- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires commercial drone pilots to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate, which involves passing the Part 107 knowledge test. This test assesses one’s understanding of airspace classifications, weather patterns, drone regulations, and operational procedures. DARTdrones offers both online and in-person 107 test prep courses. 

• Advanced Technical Drone Training- Operating sophisticated drone systems requires technical training, often available through vocational schools, community colleges, or specialized online courses that cover drone mechanics, software, and troubleshooting.

• Data Analysis- For jobs like aerial surveying, proficiency in data analysis and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software is crucial for transforming raw aerial data into actionable insights. DARTdrones offers in-person and virtual drone mapping courses. 

• Film and Photography-  Drone cinematographers need piloting skills and a keen eye for composition, lighting, and motion, often acquired through film schools or workshops. DART drones was one of the first training providers to offer an exclusive film and photography drone course.

• Emergency Services Training- Search and rescue coordinators require knowledge of emergency response protocols and may benefit from a first aid or crisis management background. DARTdrones has trained 100s of first responders in drone search and rescue as well as Disaster Response.
• Agricultural Knowledge- Specialists in the agricultural drone sector must understand crop science and farm management to use drone-generated data best. Utilizing DroneDeploy, the DARTdrones Aerial Mapping and Modeling course will give you the knowledge you need to get started in the agricultural drone sector.

The drone industry is not just reshaping careers but creating an entirely new professional ecosystem. With the number of drone-related job postings spiking by over 200% from 2021 to 2023, the sector demands an adaptable, certified, and specialized workforce. The sky is the limit for those willing to soar with the opportunities presented by the current drone industry. DARTdrones is here to help you no matter where you find yourself in your professional drone pilot journey. 

About DARTdrones

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development, and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 15+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in its comprehensive curriculum, industry knowledge, and expert flight instructors, who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post Navigating the Skies of Opportunity – The Current Drone Industry and its Career Landscape appeared first on DARTdrones.

“Partnering with DARTdrones and incorporating drone technology into the Texans Can Academy After-school Centers on Education (ACE) program is positively impacting the lives of students.  The hands-on drone training and outstanding curriculum is proving to be an effective way to help keep our students engaged in school and to see the possibilities of using drones as a career,” said Ken Reynolds, Texans Can Academies/Project Director.

DARTdrones trained eleven teachers during a hands-on two-day in-person training event called Train the Trainers. During this training, an experienced DARTdrones instructor helped the teachers become comfortable and confident in flying drones and in taking time to help the teachers understand the most challenging areas in the Part 107 test. This is the mandatory FAA exam required to fly a drone for compensation or hire. The test covers many of the same aspects that manned pilots must know. After taking and passing the exam, applicants become licensed sUAS pilots with the FAA. 

The DARTdrones CTE Drone Training Program is a turnkey solution for students pursuing a pathway in the drone industry. For any school or organization wanting to incorporate drone technology into the classroom, the DARTdrones program is fully customizable for nearly any class size or fits any timeframe offered. In addition, the course comprises both guided in-person instruction for educators and self-paced online courses, quizzes, activities, and tests for each student.  It offers everything a school, college, or workforce development instructor needs to teach their own drone classes.

 “We felt that DARTdrones was the perfect partner to create a drone workforce development program. Over the past 10 years, we have trained over 20,000 students from dozens of industries from the nation’s largest drone programs. We understand the level of professionalism and skill that Fortune 500 companies are looking for in their drone pilots. We are distilling that information into a custom career pathway for high school age students,” says Abby Carroll, CEO and founder of DARTdrones.

About DARTdrones

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development, and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 15+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in its comprehensive curriculum, industry knowledge, and expert flight instructors, who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post DARTdrones Partners With Texans Can Academies to Bring Drones into Classrooms Across Texas appeared first on DARTdrones.

Using drones will help your company by cutting down on costs while improving your work. If you are a business owner, employee, or contractor you are always looking for ways to reduce costs without sacrificing the quality of your work. You may have seen businesses and non-profits boasting drones to show that they’re using the latest technology, when in reality, drones are helping them achieve just that – save money, and yield better results. There is an associated cost with almost every aspect of a project or goal, such as safety and operational efficiency, and perhaps unsurprisingly drones are the technology spearheading these to make organizations run more smoothly. It’s no wonder so many entities are quickly turning to them.

At the core of how drones do this is their unique ability to make data and perspectives extremely accessible in so little time (we’ve stated before that they serve as flying “extensions” of a worker). Below, we’ll provide inside examples of the industries and applications where that ability plays a role in saving organizations money.

Drones Increase Safety

It should go without saying that safety is the number one priority of any job to be done. And if it’s not – the unforeseen consequences will cost an organization monetary loss from downtime and more, not to mention the potential invaluable loss from injury or death. Drones directly mitigate risk by their ability to get to dangerous locations where humans should not naturally be. From cell phone towers to tank and boiler inspections, drones access places that were previously untouchable by anything else but a courageous worker.

The examples are manifold: another excellent use-case of risk mitigation is in power utility infrastructure inspections. Transmission lines are high-voltage infrastructure that should be approached with great caution. Helicopters have been a central vehicle for inspections yet operating them is still a dangerous process for how close they need to fly to the lines and to surrounding infrastructure as well as people. Since the introduction of drones to grid inspections the risk is significantly reduced, as a small drone has much lower impact in the event of an accident, and that they allow humans to remain at ground-level. When accidents are prevented in these situations, there is less downtime, lower insurance costs, and avoided lawsuits, all of which have a major impact on an organization’s costs.

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Greater Efficiency

Time – inextricably linked to money – is a resource to make the most of. Drones bring speed and efficiency at every step of a mission, reducing setup and pack-up time with less hardware, and capturing data more quickly during the mission itself.  This is the case in most applications, but one field that has been fundamentally changed is mapping and surveying.

Without drones, land surveying is a tedious process because surveyors must collect data all on foot. With aerial coverage that drones achieve with photos and photogrammetry, the workflow is sped up as much as 10 times faster. That means month-long projects a turned into a single day, or year-long projects into a few weeks. On top of the reduced time for setup and data collection, the post-flight data processes are improving with advanced photogrammetric or inspection software, now taking advantage of AI capabilities, to streamline data management and extract actionable information more easily than ever. With that much less time spent in and out the field, not only is money saved, but it can be earned at greater rates too.

Drones Lower Downtime

Downtime, particularly during inspections, is always sought to be minimized without compromising the quality of the process. That’s why companies in the oil and gas industry have turned to drones to do their inspections, as they lower the amount of turnaround (shut down) time. The difference is stark: with a drone, companies make what’s normally a several week-long inspection project down to a day, meanwhile saving about $5 million per day by preventing time shut down. During that time drones can inspect an array of important assets in an oil refinery, such as steam systems, structural damage, flanges, and more. Indeed, drones are becoming mainstream tools in the oil and gas for their monetary benefits, and the demand for pilots will increase with those trends.

Drones: Better Data with Fewer Resources

On top of the money saved from less time spent in the field, the quality of data improves experts’ workflows while requiring fewer personnel and resources. This benefit has effectively changed how public safety crews operate in, for example, search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. Compared to helicopters, drones provide the same high-quality aerial perspective at a fraction of the price to operate, and with fewer people. This way teams can conduct their searches more strategically, either using more drones (with different types of sensors) to broaden their perspective, or allocate more personnel to the rescue portion of the missions.

Improved Results

Thanks to efficient qualities drones exhibit, they can be deployed more frequently, increasing the organization’s awareness of their area or point-of-interest. In the cases of inspections and data collection, engineering firms will find that their subsequent work improves because of the amount of data they have on demand. Take bridge inspections as a use-case: this critical infrastructure requires regular inspections but are particularly difficult to inspect with humans or cranes. Because drones gain access to bridge’s tricky areas by flying to them, and provide high-quality data in less time, engineers can make better decisions on repairs and maintenance. The result is better structural integrity for public use – and it saves the firm hundreds of thousands (if not millions) in prevented losses from damages.

Drones and the Future of Your Organization

Using these factors, you can calculate the money saved and money made using a drone to reveal when the it effectively “pays for itself” – a common monetary metric among businesses and non-profits who take on the technology (also known as return on investment or ROI). And as the technology advances with better automation and artificial intelligence, assuming that the regulations keep up with them, the ROI will be met that much faster, and will in turn solidify drones’ utility in commercial and public safety spaces. So wherever your organization operates, it can save significant money by implementing drones.

About the Author

Jerry White is an experienced professional commercial aviator spending several years as a commercial corporate pilot, charter pilot, and airline pilot. Along with his manned aircraft experience, Jerry is also a drone pilot, and aviation executive team member. His background as a small business owner, business consultant, and aviation safety manager give Jerry unique understanding of the role of utilizing and teaching sUAS operations. Jerry’s experience as a manned flight instructor with over 4,500 flight hours awards Jerry valuable insight into teaching the complexities of aviation. Jerry also has an expansive background in television production, spending ten years as a professional news producer and videographer. Jerry currently owns and operates an award-winning media production company in Austin, TX. He has used drones for such clients as the Discovery Channel, OWN network, ESPN, FOX, HGTV, commercials, and two feature films. Jerry has been instructing with DARTdrones since 2016 and teaches FAA Part 107 Test Prep, Basic Flight Training, Aerial Photography and Videography, TOP Level 1, and TOP Level 2. Jerry is versed in flying Inspire, Mavic, Phantom, and Flamewheel hardware and possesses an Unrestricted ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) Certificate – Multiengine, 2 Jet Type pilot ratings, and is a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post How Drones Can Save Your Organization Money appeared first on DARTdrones.

With a little time and effort, it can also be a viable, scalable independent business plan. If you’re looking to hang a shingle and be a full-time drone pilot, consider starting your own business and contracting out your independent drone services.

Here are some tips on how to find drone jobs in your area.

1) Know your local economy

If you want to effectively search for drone jobs in your area, get to know your local economy.

Do you live in an agricultural area? Look into crop surveys, mapping, or zoning. There is drone technology available to survey crop health, generate yield estimates, and provide pest control. For more information on this particular industry, check out this article on drones for mapping and surveying.

Is real estate booming where you live? Look at listings and see which real estate agencies are using aerial photographs. Drone pilot jobs in the real estate market are increasing, according to this drone real estate article regarding aerial photography for real estate.

2) Find your drone niche

If you’re just starting out and not sure which direction you want to go when searching for a drone job, make a list of the things that draw you to the industry. Perhaps you gravitate toward an artistic, photographic angle, or maybe you have a more analytical mind and are drawn to scientific monitoring and aerial mapping. Know where you want to go, and focus on that. Having a passion for something, and being intrinsically motivated will keep you moving through the search process.

3) Put together a drone pilot portfolio

Potential clients will want to see what you can deliver when considering you for a drone pilot job. You can start a business website to showcase your aerial photographs, video, or 3D mapping products. Depending on the service you’d be providing, think about having a series of packages at different price ranges to appeal to a variety of clients. For example, if you’re good at post-editing photographs, you can offer that as a package option.

4) Network with local businesses and ask if a drone service would benefit their company

By this point, enterprise and businesses are aware of the potential of using drones to enhance their product. The saying goes that “Talent will get you in the door, but character will keep you in the room.” If you show a potential client what you’re capable of and what you can offer, AND you’re professional and easy to work with, your new reputation as a drone pilot will precede you. Check out this article on qualities of a good drone pilot to see how you stack up, and what areas you might focus on.

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5) Have a social media presence

Potential clients will likely want to see how active you are in posting your work on social media. It will give them an idea of the level of exposure they’ll receive from you, thereby boosting their business. Link your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, etc. to your professional drone pilot website, and post quality content often. Being visible will give you credibility and accountability.

6) Make sure your drone is insured and registered

This documentation will likely be asked for by potential employers and clients. Head over to the FAA website to make sure you’re registered. This registration graphic shows you how to display the registration number on your drone. There are many options for drone insurance, so do a bit of research to see what works best for you. For example, Droneinsurance.com offers insurance coverage ranging from one day to a whole year.

Looking for drone pilot jobs or creating your own drone business is a big decision, and you probably have lots of questions about how to start off on the right foot. A bit of guidance can go a long way, and there are resources for you to tap into. DARTdrones has put together a free drone business mini-course specifically for fledgling drone entrepreneurs. It answers frequently-asked questions and professionals from the drone industry will walk prospective entrepreneurs through the subsequent steps of building a business from the ground up.

By obtaining your FAA Part 107 drone pilot’s license, gaining some air time, building a drone pilot portfolio, and starting to cultivate a network of business contacts in your local area, you’ll be well on your way to landing your first drone pilot job, or building the drone business you’ve been striving for!

About the Author

Jerry White

Jerry White is an experienced professional commercial aviator spending several years as a commercial corporate pilot, charter pilot, and airline pilot. Along with his manned aircraft experience, Jerry is also a drone pilot, and aviation executive team member. His background as a small business owner, business consultant, and aviation safety manager give Jerry unique understanding of the role of utilizing and teaching sUAS operations. Jerry’s experience as a manned flight instructor with over 4,500 flight hours awards Jerry valuable insight into teaching the complexities of aviation. Jerry also has an expansive background in television production, spending ten years as a professional news producer and videographer.

Jerry currently owns and operates an award-winning media production company in Austin, TX. He has used drones for such clients as the Discovery Channel, OWN network, ESPN, FOX, HGTV, commercials, and two feature films. Jerry has been instructing with DARTdrones since 2016 and teaches FAA Part 107 Test Prep, Basic Flight Training, Aerial Photography and Videography, TOP Level 1, and TOP Level 2. Jerry is versed in flying Inspire, Mavic, Phantom, and Flamewheel hardware and possesses an Unrestricted ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) Certificate – Multiengine, 2 Jet Type pilot ratings, and is a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post How to Find Drone Jobs Near Me appeared first on DARTdrones.

The trends in drone careers have been on a steady rise along with the increasing number of commercial drone registrations – and the trend will continue, recent market reports project. Whether in commercial or defense, you may be tempted to fly them for a living, but at the same time, do not to know how to do it or where to begin. Thankfully, drones have become a ubiquitous commercial tool that works across big industries, which means that there are plenty of places to start flying in, without making a steep investment either. This begs the questions – where to start, and how to continue, a career in drones? Below we’ll highlight the top techniques to fly drones for a living.

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Start Smart with Drones

Starting on the right footing is everything in a career with drones, so we suggest you do not drop your entire career to begin from drone-square one. Why? Because like any other skill and industry, you’ll need to make a name for yourself first, and that is usually not a very lucrative process. Instead, focus on developing your skills, learning the best techniques in drone piloting and operations, and build your portfolio to make a name for yourself. If you see opportunity to integrate drones into your work in particular, that’s an excellent way to becoming a drone professional too.

Pick Your Drone Application

In the commercial drone space, being knowledgeable of the application is as much part of the job as being a skilled pilot. A pilot who does drone mapping is required to know the fundamentals of GIS and surveying, and an inspections pilot should at least familiarize themselves with the infrastructure they’re looking at, in both cases so they create the highest quality data possible. If you’re just starting out with flying drones commercially, it’s best to focus on just one vertical, and get good at it first before expanding to others. We at DARTdrones host a strong list of the applications you may be interested in, and better yet, that number of applications is likely in grow in the years ahead.

Enter a Pilot Network

Once you’ve established yourself as a drone pilot and have some content to flex in a portfolio, an excellent way to find more gigs is to join drone-to-job matching services. There are now a handful of websites that you can sign up and get started for free, such as DroneBase and Bee2B. Some services are application-specific, allowing you to focus on our area of expertise. Furthermore, there are private companies that keep drone pilots in their network for contract work, so keep an eye on job-posting websites for those.

Representing Your Drone Business Correctly

Starting a drone business may seem like an intimidatingly daunting process. While it is a commitment, you need to at least represent yourself as a state and federal-approved entity, because it protects yourself legally, and gives you an official name to get behind and attract customers. No need to scale your business to a massive corporation or jump to fund-raising, but having it legally and officially established will allow you to operate with peace-of-mind and scale your drone operations to any degree you see fit.

Flying Drones All Alone? Think Again!

Drone technology is so advanced that you may feel you can handle learning and flying jobs all on your own. In reality, collaborating with other program and pilots will increase your chances to acquiring new skills and opportunities. We often seen this working with pilots who train with us: they gain expertise and the proper techniques working with our cohort of trainers, instead of just practicing how to flying drones on their own.

Even further down a career with drones, whether in their own business or other independent contractors, pilots enjoy working with others because they can continue learning from each other’s experience. Their customers are generally happier with the output too. Don’t let your career be an exception by operating in your own vacuum.

Taking Your Drone Career to New Heights

Being a career drone pilot means that your job has potential to progress into new, exciting frontiers. Take advantage of them and keep your finger on the pulse of the industry by staying up-to-date with news (that includes blogs and newsletters), the latest technology and applications on the horizon, as well as grant opportunities to see what funding is going towards to drone use. Having an open mind will pay off in opportunities that were previously unimaginable. Keeping your career afloat doesn’t mean coasting with drones – it means taking advantage of the constantly developing technology and use-cases they come with.

How to Fly Drones for A Living Takeaway

While drones have become more mainstream in recent time, the truth is that the technology and the legal framework are still relatively new – therefore it’s never too late to pursue them in your career. We do suggest, however, that you take the time to learn from the experts and don’t do it all on your own, as you may end up limiting your skills and opportunities. In other words, take your time and keep an open mind, and you’ll be sure to make a living flying drones. If you’re interested in learning more about the in’s and out’s of drone entrepreneurship, DARTdrones currently offers a free mini course on drone entrepreneurship that can be accessed here.

Jerry has his own video production company and has been in the business for more than 20 years. When he’s not shooting videos or flying sUAS, he flies as a contract pilot for different clients in Central Texas. He has 3,000 hours of flight time and has been a flight instructor, full-time corporate pilot, and an airline pilot. He has been married for 16 years and has three daughters.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post How to Fly Drones for a Living appeared first on DARTdrones.

There are endless possibilities for implementing drones into a business model as an entrepreneur. Fortune Business Insights expects the commercial drones market to reach $6.3 billion by 2026. What is a real number for how much a drone pilot can stand to make in a year? Hang on to your hangars, because this may surprise you. Some freelance drone pilots actually make well into six-figure salaries according to thedronegirl.com.

Do you want to make money working for someone else or for yourself?

Job satisfaction is indicative of how happy you are at your current place of employment, and it’s especially important to have job satisfaction in these uncertain times. Are you satisfied working for someone else or would you like better to work for yourself? What is your motivation for working? You know the old adage about not actually working if you’re doing something you love… Whether you are a millennial, a 30-something, or a retiree, flying a drone can be fun at any age. If you like to pilot a drone, or even if you’ve never even seen a drone, consider expanding your horizons on to the drone business scene.

Some people would rather work for someone else on someone else’s time schedule implementing someone else’s priorities for their employment. Does this sound like you? Would you rather have the freedom to work when you want to, set your own hours, call all the shots, and meet new people in new experiences every day? Does this sound like you instead? If so, consider starting a drone business and soar to new heights, quite literally. A drone training academy like DARTdrones can help you identify what you might like to do as a drone pilot, and then gives you reliable resources to help you succeed.

How to come up with an idea for a money-making drone business

What do you enjoy? What do you have a passion for? Think outside the box for how you can take something you love to do and incorporate a drone into it to build a company, a solid business. Or identify a problem out there in the world, and think of a way to solve it using a drone. To get a better idea of what’s out there, consider taking a class at a drone training school like DARTdrones, where experts will guide you along the way to finding your new drone business opportunity as a drone pilot to make money.

Examples of drone businesses

Classes on the following are offered through trustworthy drone training school DARTdrones. Check these courses out to see if any of them peak your interest.

Aerial photography

Aerial mapping and surveying

Disaster response

Real estate photography

Aerial inspections

Drones in security

Search and rescue

Drones for railways

Other ideas for drone businesses are:

Building Inspections

Construction project monitoring

Advertising

Freelance work

Not all drone businesses bring in the same amount of money

There are many avenues you could take in pursuing a career in piloting your drone and making money from it. According to commercialuavnews.com, however, there are five areas in drone entrepreneurship that may lead to significantly more lucrative results than others. Among those five areas are mapping, real estate photography and videography, thermal imaging to aid with search and rescue efforts or surveillance, movies / TV, and inspections. Evaluate your motivation for owning a drone business, how important the amount of money you make is, and then decide which path you’d like to pursue.

There is no standard for what to charge for any drone service across the board. You decide what to charge based on the services you offer and your time and expertise about your drone business niche. Pricing examples could be anywhere from $150/hour for aerial photography to $4000/day for filmmaking. A great part about the “Starting a Drone Business Under Part 107” course through DARTdrones is that they give great advice and training on pricing strategy so you are prepared to charge the right price for the right service and make the money that you need to generate in order to run your drone business effectively.

Know your competition

It has been said by other drone pilots that you may find it easier to run your drone business outside of a heavily populated drone pilot area to avoid the competition. Also, that you get more work in an area where there aren’t many other drone pilots. Rest assured, you have help to know how to run your drone business, no matter what or where the competition is. Just check out the classes and resources at DARTdrones training school.

How to gain a competitive edge

There are so many options to choose from. One of the keys to success as a drone pilot running your own drone business is to specialize in a specific niche market. Think of an idea you haven’t seen out there yet. How can you build on something with a drone business that is related to something you already like to do? What is a problem that needs to be solved and could potentially be solved using your drone pilot skills through your drone business? Everyone has an angle to catch a competitive edge in the drone business market. What is your edge? What makes your drone business unique and desirable?

The amount of success and how much money you make is totally up to you. Figure out why you want to make money through a drone business, get training on how to run it successfully, get your Part 107 certification, and then watch your drone business take off! You choose the depth and breadth of how much money you want to make in your drone business and then put in the time and energy to make it happen. To answer the question “do drone entrepreneurs actually make money,” the answer is a resounding yes. And If you’re looking for more information on starting your own drone business before you launch, check out the DARTdrones free drone entrepreneur mini course.

About the Author

Jerry has his own video production company and has been in the business for more than 20 years. When he’s not shooting videos or flying sUAS, he flies as a contract pilot for different clients in Central Texas. He has 3,000 hours of flight time and has been a flight instructor, full-time corporate pilot, and an airline pilot. He has been married for 16 years and has three daughters.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post Do drone entrepreneurs actually make money? appeared first on DARTdrones.

Here’s our list of the top items the best drone training schools cover in their curricula.

1. Training to be your own drone professional

As with being an expert drone pilot, a good drone training program does not solely focus on teaching students how to fly. Even at the base level, drone pilots strike a balance between becoming skilled at flying drones and managing the complex operations (rules and regulations, crew and equipment management, weather assessment, just to name a few). Pilots also understand how these factors contribute to the larger picture of what they or their partners are trying to accomplish.

In that sense, they are not just drone pilots – they are professionals applying their unique expertise to carry out jobs more efficiently, safely, and effectively. Turning trainees into this type of professional drone pilot always leverages them best for the job ahead. Recreational users, too, need to have a well-rounded understanding of how some of those details work – so don’t think they only apply to the commercial pilots!

2. Training to the specific drone industry

Drones are valuable tools when they are implemented correctly for the applications that they fly in. That’s why there wouldn’t be much use in drone training schools without their courses taking on the industries and applications the pilot trainees want to pursue. Given how uniquely drones are utilized between each use-case, DARTdrones targets specific applications with separate courses, so that pilots can maximize their drone-piloting and data management experience. An example is DARTdrones’ Drone Mapping and Surveying course, which provides in-depth information on the drones, software, theory, and methodology, which are very unique to drone surveying from other applications. Such courses are valuable for both beginners and experienced pilots looking to enter new applications.

3. Credentials and standardization of training

The top-tier drone training academies get their pilots-in-training to the internationally recognized standard – the AUVSI Trusted Operator Program (TOP) – certifying their skill and knowledge of drone operations. Without this official endorsement, the gained expertise may not mean much to others familiar (and not familiar) with drone operations, and in turn could negatively impact the pilot’s future opportunities with drones.

This is why our team at DARTdrones offers our Wings Program, which introduces TOP concepts. DARTdrones also offers specific Top Level 1 & 2 certification courses once students are ready to move ahead with more advance curriculum. If you’re unsure, we have a handful of reasons and a lot of documentation showing the importance of getting your TOP certification. If you are interested in a more niche subset of drone piloting skills, not to worry either – DARTdrones’ programs are widely recognized by professionals across the drone industry, having trained over 14,000 pilots.

4. Teach the rules and regulations – always

Passing the Part 107 exam is the key that unlocks a career in drones. It allows students a critical understanding of airspace, LAANC, weather, and much more. The rules and regulations taught for 107, and the local and state rules that apply, must be practiced every day, and not just treated as information that helps a trainee pilot get certified. A well designed drone training curriculum accounts for the all of the relevant rules that impact a given operation and its application, stays up-to-date with the constantly changing regulations, and even delves into the seemingly mundane details that come in handy after getting certified.

5. Drone training for the real world

As stated earlier, experienced pilots strike the balance between piloting and knowing the operations. Unfortunately, we’ve seen other programs spend too much time in the classroom focusing on operations, and not enough in the field flying the drones themselves. The importance of in-field practice is the preparation for real-world scenarios, which there are many of when flying drones.

At DARTdrones, for example, even in our virtual courses we assign drone flights as homework, which gets our participants out in the field to practice a wide range actions: drone maneuvers, best flight procedures, automation and drone features, as well as practice missions for any given application. In our more advanced courses, flight evaluations are critical to the success of our trainees.

Additional to understanding real-world situations through flying, we include planning, scenarios and emergencies as features and full courses, so that class attendees have a well-rounded knowledge of drone ops before diving in to them and learning the hard way.

6. Training to the diverse market

Drone training schools must follow, and pave the way of, the trends that evolve with the technology. Even if a training school has not yet encountered a particular use-case yet, the best ones always are willing to see how drones can work for their students. At DARTdrones, we keep our curricula flexible by offering custom solutions and spearheading all of the leading applications for commercial and recreational drones. Our instructor cadre offers a diverse skillset that should always bring a holistic solution to our students, whatever their motivations are.

Drone training programs hold a big responsibility in making drones accessible for new users. But when they teach the right material, they are injecting more expert pilots into the drone industry, and thus creating more opportunity for them and others. At DARTdrones we aim to teach the best drone training material to create the most opportunities for our customers and the industry they’re entering.

About the Author

Jerry has his own video production company and has been in the business for more than 20 years. When he’s not shooting videos or flying sUAS, he flies as a contract pilot for different clients in Central Texas. He has 3,000 hours of flight time and has been a flight instructor, full-time corporate pilot, and an airline pilot. He has been married for 16 years and has three daughters.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post What Do the Best Drone Training Schools Teach? appeared first on DARTdrones.