Thumper
02-02-2016, 01:04 PM
Lynn's brother has been an Engineer for Toyota since the day he got out of college something like 35 years ago. Now that Toyota's North American headquarters is relocating from Southern California to Texas, he's decided to retire in spite of the huge bonuses they're offering him to relocate. He has a bazillion dollar house in Huntington Beach, Ca. and simply doesn't want to move.
So, I was talking with him the other day and asked what he plans to do once he retires. He said he's already back in school! Huh! "What kind of school?", I ask. Seems he's enrolled in classes as a drone pilot! WTF? I guess he's really thinking ahead and says once the FAA licensing requirements kick in, there will be a big demand for "professional" drone pilots!
Anyway, I just took a peek on the net and found an article from last year. Who'da thunk it? So, I guess we'll soon have a "pilot" in the family. ;)
Currently, the FAA allows for commercial use of drones below 500 feet, within the line-of-sight of the operator, and during daylight hours. However, the FAA will release regulations, which are expected to allow for much broader commercial use, within a year from June, 2015. The FAA has said it will require pilots using unmanned aerial vehicles, for commercial purposes, to obtain certification of training or competence. Colleges, anticipating the commercial demand for drone training, are offering certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on piloting, engineering, and repairing drones.
So, I was talking with him the other day and asked what he plans to do once he retires. He said he's already back in school! Huh! "What kind of school?", I ask. Seems he's enrolled in classes as a drone pilot! WTF? I guess he's really thinking ahead and says once the FAA licensing requirements kick in, there will be a big demand for "professional" drone pilots!
Anyway, I just took a peek on the net and found an article from last year. Who'da thunk it? So, I guess we'll soon have a "pilot" in the family. ;)
Currently, the FAA allows for commercial use of drones below 500 feet, within the line-of-sight of the operator, and during daylight hours. However, the FAA will release regulations, which are expected to allow for much broader commercial use, within a year from June, 2015. The FAA has said it will require pilots using unmanned aerial vehicles, for commercial purposes, to obtain certification of training or competence. Colleges, anticipating the commercial demand for drone training, are offering certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on piloting, engineering, and repairing drones.