Drone Pilot? You Can’t Be Serious

Regardless of your level of exposure to drones, there’s a good chance you’ve come across someone who has a disparaging outlook and belittles, questions, or dismisses the merit of a drone pilot’s labor. Many people who don’t work in the unmanned aerial industry, consider flying drones merely a hobbyist venture, meant for nothing more than satisfying childish ambitions.

As someone who has flown both advanced military and commercial drones, it can be frustrating to have one’s skills be included in those biases. At the same time, I can totally understand how those impressions occur.

The ease of access to highly advanced commercial/recreational drones is rather remarkable. Many consumer-grade products boast features such as collision avoidance and target tracking technologies — capabilities once unique to only military and advanced engineering organizations. Those capabilities are now accessible to anyone with the funds. People are buying these sophisticated drones for their own enjoyment and leisure

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that flying drones can be a lot of fun. But to limit the potential of drone applications to only fun and games does a great disservice to those who spent hours training to use drones professionally and have integrated them into business operations.

So, what is professional drone pilot to do? For any professional to be taken seriously, they have to take their jobs seriously, and that’s what this weekly blog is set to discover. What does it mean to be a drone professional? What does it take to rise above the sweeping stigmas society casts across the drone dominion? Stay tuned for further follow-up as I give my take on what it means to be a true drone professional.

Be sure to reach out to Consortiq at inquiries@consortiq.com to help transform your commercial drone operations.

Stephen Glaus Bio

Stephen’s career is characterized by change and flexibility. Since his departure from military service with the U.S. Army in 2013, he has had numerous roles, from suburban mail delivery, to gun store retail management , and then to Afghanistan as a civilian drone operator. During this transitionary period, he also worked full time to complete both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in business.

Having found his footing within the commercial UAS industry, Stephen’s drone experience includes long-endurance military aircraft, engineering developmental aircraft, as well as traditional quadcopter variants. With an insatiable drive for excellence and an unrelenting passion for helping others, Stephen is excited to pave the pathway forward and guide organizations to safe and efficient drone operations.

Originally published at consortiq.com.