Yes.
That was quick! End of blog.
Ok, its not as simple as that, in all honestly it depends on your goal, your previous background and your determination.
First thing you need to consider is, what do i want to be? Sounds weird, but with our industry in its infancy, its a poignant question. In essence do you want to be a MD of your own company, or do you want to actually JUST fly UAS?
In 2020, there are expected to be 150,000 people across the EU, employed in the UAS sector. But unless you are a tech whizz, in which case, you wouldn’t be reading this. In 2015, most people joining our industry, are technically the ‘middle man’ (more on that in a moment) you want to be a UAS Pilot, use your Inspire or Phantom to film golf courses, weddings, properties etc.
If this is the case, you need to think of yourself as a Managing Director first, Financial Director Second, Sales Manager Thirdly, and Pilot Finally.
You need to decide your market strategy, look at the financial implications associated with setting up the business and the profit you can make, then you need to go out and make the sales! Then, and only then can you think about flying.
I have run six different business in my time. Some successful, some not so much. But this taught me the value lesson of business acumen. There are lots of people in our industry who have none. They think because they are making money they do, but this is misguided, and it won’t belong before those ‘who do know business’ make their presence known.
This is why i said, Yes, at the start of this blog. It is becoming a saturated market, but if you are a savvy business person first, and drone enthusiast second, you will go far. Potentially very far.
I am part of a few popular forum, last week for example, a guy posted that he has made £1000 since March. I know a guy who owns a small UAS company in Doncaster who makes that a day. Im not kidding you, i have done a few days for him when he gets a big client (he isn’t the best pilot in the world, and he would acknowledge that, but this guy, man, this guy has a business model that works, and turns over £4000 a week at the moment!!!!)
In my home town, Doncaster, there are already three UAS companies. I have gotten to know them both, and we already have worked together, and sent work to each other that we cant fit in, or complete to the level the client might want.
If you just want to be a UAS Pilot, unless you live in the City, you might struggle to make a living right now. There simply aren’t enough large UAS companies that are hiring. I know, i also run a UAS Recruitment company!
Having your BNUC-s or RPQS or similar isn’t a bad thing, and it will only be a matter of time before companies will look to employ their own UAS Pilot, internally. But in the mean time, the work will go to well known and well connected UAS Pilots. Those who already know well placed people, will be successful. And those who embrace the challenges of running a small business and how to approach your client base in the most effective manner….just don’t relay on google ads, get yourself out there and think differently…..
…….this isn’t meant to brag or show off, its just to get you to think about your sales approach differently. OH yeah, I didn’t find the client OR make the sale, I was outsourced to be the Pilot, but a few weeks ago i was paid, £650 for 2 hours work, for flying over a tents for small local business!!!! I would never have even thought to approach a business like that.
The work is out there, you just need to go and find it, it won’t come to you.
TU
Unmanned Aerial Systems - A Beginners Guide 