Think drones are just a passing fad? Think again. Drones have steadily gained ground in the tech scene ever since they were first introduced for commercial use in 2006.
Governments first used these unmanned flying machines for disaster relief and border surveillance, while businesses used them for pipeline inspections and security before they made their way into the hands of the ordinary consumer.
And they’re not just expensive toys for the tech-savvy hobbyist. Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the market today are capable of high-quality imaging and cinematic applications, as well as mapping and surveying.
Needless to say, the technology has come a long way in a short amount of time with a wider range of options—from low-cost cost drones to top-tier options.
What is a UAV?
A drone is also known as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). These aerial devices, as the name suggests, can fly without a pilot onboard and instead are controlled remotely.
Trends in the UAV market
In a study by Research and Markets, the UAV market is projected to grow over the next five years, with the military segment expected to dominate the industry. The Asia-Pacific region is set to witness the highest growth rate due to the expansion of defense capabilities of China, India, Japan, and South Korea.
UAV deployment in military operations has also encouraged vendors to offer UAVs for commercial applications.
Increasingly, drones are being used in agriculture, aerial photography and video recording, surveying and documenting wildlife, as well as bringing Internet connectivity to remote places.
Nevertheless, the study notes, technological and legal restraints, such as limited endurance, bandwidth challenges, and non-uniform laws and regulations in certain countries can hamper the use and adoption of UAVs.
In Singapore, all adults flying drones above 1.5kg must go through training and pass an exam to get licensed or face penalties, reports The Straits Times. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), there will be two different certificates: an unmanned basic training certificate and an unmanned pilot license.
So if you are considering getting into the UAV industry, it’s best to know the pertinent rules and regulations in the areas where you plan to operate. It’s also helpful to be aware of the industries where demand for UAV skills is on the rise.
5 fields for certified UAV pilots
Thinking of learning how to fly a drone professionally? Here are five fields where skills in UAV flying can be applied:
1. Media and Entertainment
Imagine capturing breathtaking sceneries high above the air while your feet are planted firmly on the ground. Drones are being used more and more in photography and filmmaking because of the unique vantage point it provides the viewer. What’s more, these UAVs are being used to capture momentous personal events, such as weddings. And who knows, drones may have a place in “new normal events” too.
This UAV application is arguably one of the most exciting because you get to work with industry experts who can help you sharpen not just your technical skills, but your creativity as well.
2. Mapping and Modelling
Today’s drone technology is capable of producing high quality images that has a huge impact on the field of mapping and surveying. By capturing detailed aerial images with a sense of topographical depth and size, experts can then produce a more accurate map. In addition, 3D modelling can be made possible through detailed insights captured by a drone, as explained by Commercial UAV News. The article says that drone pilots can collect “digital facsimiles” that enable users to virtually manipulate or “walk through” the images as they wish.
3. Real Estate
Real estate is another industry that’s benefitting from drones. More and more property professionals are leveraging on drone imagery to create stellar marketing materials, says the article from Commercial UAV News. In a highly competitive property market, such as Singapore, agents must be able to show off their assets through printed collaterals, video presentations, and even social media content so potential buyers and investors get a feel of what the property has to offer. Aerial images can help them visualise how certain features are oriented in the property, as well as the surrounding areas.
4. Engineering Geology
A paper published in the Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment explored the potential applications of UAVs in engineering geology. It found that drones present a relatively quick and affordable solution to the on-demand procurement of detailed images of a particular area of interest. The solution would also cover the creation of detailed 3D models and orthophoto, which is an aerial image that has already been geometrically corrected.
Learning about landslides and other earth system disasters, for instance, would prove essential in global risk preparedness. Technologies, such as UAVs, are improving the capabilities of engineering geologists, engineers, researchers, and mapping geologists, which, in turn, contribute to a relevant real-world impact.
5. Inspections
UAV pilots can also find a career in the area of aerial inspections. Because of their ability to hover over buildings and other infrastructure, drones can help detect critical structural problems that may go unnoticed.
In a TODAY article, UAV pilot Nicholas Hon spotted a potentially dangerous fault in an entertainment and hospitality facility he was inspecting. Hon found that several tiles had been dislodged from the roof, which could harm people if they came crashing down.
Drone pilot and operations lead of Avetics Global, Cheng You Zhi, handled a theme park project which required him to check for cracks and irregularities in rollercoasters, according to the same report.
Indeed, one of the most important applications of UAVs today is in ensuring safety and averting potential disasters. But if you’re leaning more on the creative side of things, there are a ton of options, as well.
Interested in a career in UAV operations? Learn the ropes of operating a UAV through SMU Academy’s course on Basic UAV Operations (Flying and UAV Applications). Learn basic drone manoeuvres in preparation for a pilot test, as well as trends in the UAV industry.
Gain practical skills from Alvin Yap, who has over 20 years of working experience in digital technologies and over 300 aerial missions and more than 60 hours of flight under his belt. He currently implements the drone program as drone lead and technology officer at YJP Surveyors.
Find out more about the programme and explore exciting UAV applications and career pathways.
