How to Build a Drone Career After Getting Your Part 107

The world of commercial drone operations has exploded over the past decade, transforming industries from real estate to agriculture and creating entirely new career paths for certified pilots. This exhaustive guide covers every aspect of building a successful UAS career, from initial certification through advanced specializations and business development strategies.

Introduction: The UAS Career Landscape

The unmanned aircraft systems industry represents one of the fastest-growing sectors in aviation and technology. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, over 870,000 drones are currently registered in the United States, with commercial registrations growing at double-digit rates annually. This expansion creates tremendous opportunities for skilled, certified pilots who understand both the technology and the regulatory environment.

Building a successful UAS career requires more than just knowing how to fly. Today’s professional drone operators combine technical piloting skills with industry-specific expertise, business acumen, and regulatory knowledge. Whether you’re transitioning from manned aviation, entering the workforce for the first time, or adding drone services to an existing business, understanding the full career landscape helps you make informed decisions about your professional development.

Chapter 1: Foundation – Part 107 Certification

Every commercial drone career begins with FAA Part 107 certification. This credential, officially called the Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, authorizes pilots to operate drones commercially within the regulatory framework established by the FAA.

Understanding the Certification Process

Part 107 certification requires passing a knowledge test administered at FAA-authorized testing centers nationwide. The 60-question multiple-choice exam covers regulations, airspace, weather, operations, and loading/performance. A passing score of 70% or higher demonstrates baseline competency in these areas.

The knowledge test typically requires 15-30 hours of study for candidates without aviation background. Those with existing pilot certificates may qualify for a streamlined process using the FAA’s online training course instead of the proctored exam.

Preparing for Success

Effective exam preparation combines official FAA study materials with structured learning resources. The FAA’s Remote Pilot Study Guide provides comprehensive coverage of all test topics, while supplementary courses offer practice questions and video explanations that reinforce key concepts.

Focus particular attention on airspace classifications and weather, as these areas challenge many candidates. Understanding the sectional chart symbols, reading METARs and TAFs, and recognizing how weather affects drone operations are essential skills that extend well beyond the exam.

Beyond the Test

Passing the knowledge exam is just the first step. After testing, pilots must complete the FAA’s application process through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system, undergo TSA security screening, and maintain currency through biennial recurrent training.

Chapter 2: Developing Technical Skills

Part 107 certification demonstrates regulatory knowledge but doesn’t directly assess piloting ability. Building genuine flight competency requires dedicated practice and systematic skill development beyond what any written test can measure.

Fundamental Flight Skills

Start with basic hovering and orientation exercises. Master maintaining position, altitude, and heading before progressing to movement patterns. Practice flying in all orientations, including the challenging nose-in position where controls are reversed from the pilot’s perspective.

Advance to precision maneuvers including smooth transitions between waypoints, controlled descents, and coordinated turns. These fundamental skills form the foundation for professional-quality operations in any application.

Situational Awareness

Professional pilots maintain constant awareness of their aircraft’s position relative to obstacles, airspace boundaries, people, and other aircraft. Developing this awareness requires practice in varying environments and conditions.

Train yourself to scan systematically during flight, checking battery levels, signal strength, GPS status, and environmental factors. This habitual monitoring prevents incidents and enables confident operations in complex environments.

Emergency Procedures

Know your aircraft’s emergency capabilities and practice appropriate responses to common failure modes. Understand procedures for motor failures, GPS loss, signal interruption, and battery emergencies. Simulator training can safely introduce failure scenarios that would be dangerous to practice with actual equipment.

Chapter 3: Choosing Your Specialization

The drone industry encompasses numerous specializations, each with distinct skill requirements, equipment needs, and market dynamics. Successful professionals typically focus on one or two primary areas rather than attempting to serve every possible market.

Aerial Photography and Videography

Visual content creation represents the most accessible entry point for many drone operators. Real estate photography, event coverage, and promotional videos offer steady demand in most markets. Success requires both piloting competency and creative skills including composition, lighting, and post-production.

Equipment for this specialization includes quality gimbal-stabilized cameras, image editing software, and possibly specialized rigs for cinematic work. Building a portfolio demonstrates capability to potential clients and helps establish pricing.

Infrastructure Inspection

Utility companies, telecommunications providers, and energy firms increasingly rely on drones for infrastructure inspection. Towers, transmission lines, pipelines, and facilities benefit from aerial inspection that reduces costs and improves safety compared to traditional methods.

This specialization demands precision flying around obstacles, understanding of inspection methodologies, and often specialized sensors including thermal cameras. Certification beyond Part 107 may be required for certain utility work.

Mapping and Surveying

Photogrammetry and LiDAR-based mapping serve construction, mining, agriculture, and land management applications. Drone surveying produces accurate topographic data, volumetric measurements, and detailed orthomosaic imagery at a fraction of traditional survey costs.

Effective mapping operations require understanding of ground control points, coordinate systems, flight planning software, and data processing workflows. Surveying background helps but isn’t strictly necessary for many mapping applications.

Agricultural Applications

Precision agriculture uses drones for crop health monitoring, irrigation management, and targeted treatment applications. Multispectral and thermal sensors reveal conditions invisible to standard cameras, enabling data-driven farming decisions.

Agricultural operators benefit from understanding farming operations, crop science basics, and data interpretation. The seasonal nature of agricultural work often complements other specializations.

Public Safety Support

Law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management agencies deploy drones for search and rescue, accident reconstruction, crime scene documentation, and situational awareness. This specialization serves important community needs while offering stable employment opportunities.

Public safety work requires additional training in emergency response protocols, evidence handling, and interagency coordination. Many agencies prefer candidates with law enforcement or fire service background.

Chapter 4: Building Your Business

Whether pursuing freelance work or establishing a full-service company, business development skills are essential for long-term career success.

Legal Structure and Insurance

Establish appropriate legal structure for your operations. Many pilots start as sole proprietors before incorporating as LLCs or corporations as the business grows. Consult with legal and tax professionals to determine the best structure for your situation.

Liability insurance is mandatory for most commercial work. Aviation-specific policies cover drone operations, with premiums typically based on revenue, coverage limits, and operational risk factors. Expect annual premiums starting around $500-1000 for basic coverage.

Pricing Your Services

Pricing varies dramatically by market, specialization, and client type. Real estate photography might command $150-400 per property, while technical inspections can exceed $1000 per day. Research local market rates and consider your equipment costs, time investment, and expertise when setting prices.

Avoid the temptation to compete solely on price. Emphasizing quality, reliability, and professionalism often attracts better clients willing to pay fair rates for professional service.

Marketing and Client Acquisition

Effective marketing reaches potential clients through multiple channels. Professional website, social media presence, local networking, and industry-specific marketing all contribute to client acquisition.

Build relationships within target industries by attending relevant events, joining professional associations, and connecting with complementary service providers. Referrals from satisfied clients often generate the highest-quality new business.

Chapter 5: Advanced Certifications and Authorizations

Part 107 provides the foundation, but advanced certifications expand your operational capabilities and marketability.

Night Operations

Part 107 now includes provisions for night operations with appropriate anti-collision lighting. Understanding the requirements and demonstrating safe night flying capabilities opens opportunities in security, emergency response, and time-sensitive commercial work.

Operations Over People

The FAA’s Operations Over People rule creates four categories based on aircraft characteristics and operational risk. Understanding these categories and obtaining appropriate authorization enables operations that would otherwise require waivers.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight

BVLOS operations require specific waivers from the FAA. While obtaining these waivers remains challenging, they enable operations including linear infrastructure inspection, large-area mapping, and delivery services that represent significant market opportunities.

Advanced Training and Certifications

Industry-recognized certifications from organizations like AUVSI demonstrate advanced competency to potential clients and employers. Manufacturer-specific training certifies proficiency with particular platforms. Consider certifications that align with your chosen specialization.

Chapter 6: Career Paths and Employment

UAS careers take various forms from freelance entrepreneurship to corporate employment.

Freelance and Contract Work

Many drone pilots operate independently, serving multiple clients across different industries. This path offers flexibility and potentially higher per-job earnings but requires business development skills and tolerance for income variability.

Drone Service Companies

Established drone service companies hire pilots for ongoing operations. These positions provide steady income and benefits while offering exposure to diverse projects and continued skill development.

Corporate Drone Programs

Large companies in utilities, energy, construction, and other industries operate internal drone programs. Corporate positions offer stability and benefits, often with opportunities for advancement within the organization.

Public Sector Employment

Government agencies at federal, state, and local levels employ drone pilots for various missions. These positions typically offer competitive benefits and job security.

Chapter 7: Future Trends and Opportunities

The UAS industry continues evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities for prepared professionals.

Autonomous Operations

Increasing automation changes the pilot’s role from direct flight control toward mission management and data interpretation. Understanding autonomous systems and AI-enhanced operations positions pilots for emerging applications.

Urban Air Mobility

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are entering certification, creating future demand for pilots with UAS background. The skills and regulatory knowledge from drone operations transfer to this emerging sector.

Counter-UAS Operations

Drone detection and mitigation represents a growing field as security concerns increase. Technical understanding of drone operations transfers directly to counter-UAS work.

Conclusion: Building Your UAS Career

A successful UAS career combines technical competency, regulatory compliance, business skills, and continuous learning. The industry offers tremendous opportunities for those who invest in developing comprehensive capabilities.

Start with solid Part 107 preparation and genuine flight skill development. Choose specializations that align with your interests and local market opportunities. Build your business systematically while continuing to expand your capabilities through advanced certifications and training.

The drone industry rewards professionals who combine safe operations, quality work, and reliable service. Position yourself for long-term success by building on this foundation throughout your career.

Whether you’re just beginning your UAS journey or looking to advance an established career, the principles outlined in this guide provide a framework for continued growth and success in this dynamic industry.