Being granted your PfCO (Permission for Commercial Operations) from the CAA is a major milestone for any aspiring drone operator. But what comes next? Coptrz puts the spotlight on Continuous Personal Development (CPD), why you should embrace it and what you need to know.
A new wave of entrepreneurs
The skyrocketing growth of the commercial Drone market is opening the door to self-employment for more and more people. The figures speak for themselves: in the US, the Federal Aviation Authority processed nearly 24,000 applications from commercial drone operators in the second half of 2016. Likewise, the UK is enjoying an ongoing spike in drone operators with CAA training.
A much-cited 2016 report from PwC projected that the global drone industry will be worth a staggering $127 billion by 2020. The EU (including Britain) and US are widely acknowledged as being the two biggest potential markets for commercial drones.
All told, it’s a remarkably exciting time for to be a UAV operator. But in order to make the most of the drone boom, operators need to be ready.
Why CPD?
As Business opportunities increase, so does competition. For some, ambitions don’t become a lasting reality. According to ARPAS (Association of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems), as quoted in the Financial Times, some 40% of companies granted a commercial UAV license do not seek renewal when it runs out. That figure can be interpreted a number of ways, but the upshot is that many businesses aren’t embracing drone technology in a sustainable way.
Perhaps fledgling operators are dipping their toes into the water rather than fully committing – although with only two hours flight time in the last 3 months to get your PfCO, time commitments shouldn’t be a problem.
In addition, many aspiring drone entrepreneurs stop proactively developing their skills after they’ve got their licence to operate. It’s hard to say if that correlates with the 40% drop-out figure, but clearly a large number of UAV start-ups have only the bare minimum of qualifications.
As Amanda Rosewarne, Director of CPD accreditation and research at the CPD Standards Office, explains, big ambitions in the commercial drone market need to be backed up by serious skills and knowledge investment – and CPD is a platform to make that happen.
“Those working with drones need to be right at the front end of the game to understand how the commercial use of the technology is developing,” she says.
“In its simplest form, CPD is a way of keeping your skills, knowledge and expertise up to date. It’s also a way of scanning the horizon, so you’re looking forward and forecasting new trends early – effectively seeing their impact before it happens.”
Steve Coulson, Managing Director of Coptrz, believes CPD is vital for UAV pilots who want to reach their full potential. “Currently, there’s not really a spirit of CPD in the drone industry because it’s so young,” he argues.
“But the sector is getting more complex, and clients want to see drone start-ups who are tapped into the latest trends to deliver leading data first-hand.
“If you’ve only got your CAA permit for aerial work, it’s like taking your driving test and assuming you can be an F1 driver,” he adds. “That’s not how business, or life, works – you’ve simply got to keep developing your skills.”
2017: A year of change?
It’s become a well-worn observation that governments everywhere are struggling to keep pace with fast-moving drone technology. But in the UK, that could soon change. A nationwide consultation on UAVs is currently underway, examining the tremendous potential – and public safety risks – of the flourishing drone industry. The consultation will conclude in March 2017, with feedback informing the government’s proposals on the next wave of drone regulation.
Two areas in particular stand out from the proposals: Pilot competency requirements and the possible increase in penalties for the misuse of drones.
In an interview with BBC Radio 1, Minister for Aviation Lord Ahmad set out the government perspective:
“People who use drones for leisure may well be the commercial operators of these drones tomorrow,” he said. “Perhaps there’s also scope to look at how we can train more effectively and register schemes.”
But while broader education on safe flying for hobbyists is important, where does the consultation leave commercial pilots and firms? We will, of course, have to wait and see – but the early proposals suggest regulations will become tighter and more carefully scrutinised. As the government grasps the huge potential of the sector and pushes for growth, it seems unlikely training, safety and registration will get any looser in 2017.
Ready for tomorrow
With drone operation under the microscope, CPD is more than extra homework; it’s insurance.
A professional course that improves both your knowledge and skills is an excellent first step towards future-proofing your UAV company and signalling your dedication to doing business the right way. It shows you’re ready to keep up with trends and go the extra mile with drone training. Most crucial of all, it could give you an edge over your competition, helping you to win more contracts and bolster your reputation as a serious contender in the market.
CPD could also safeguard your business against future fines and reputational damage. In the event that UK regulation tightens up this year and fines for misflying or legal infringements become more common, CPD could be the way to stay ahead of the game.
A US drone photography company recently provided a cautionary tale, when it paid a record $200,000 fine for alleged illegal flights. Its excuse? The flights in question were conducted two years before the FAA’s first rules for commercial drones came into effect.
It just goes to show what a pitfall legal grey areas can be for operators. Like drone flight itself, you need to know exactly where you are. As regulations and technologies alike march forward, it pays to be prepared.
Riding the wave
Until recently, TV and film work accounted for the majority of UK commercial drone activity. But UAV trends move fast. According to some sources, property and construction is now the fastest growing sector for operators, with drones increasingly used to survey land and inspect real estate, engineering and infrastructure projects.
The outlook for building and land surveying has spurred a large number of UAV operators into the field. According to the Financial Times, around 150 companies offered drone services three years ago; by the start of 2017, that number was well over 2,000.
Amanda points out that required CPD hours are already standard in some industries – particularly in chartered professions such as surveying and engineering. As the demand for drones from these businesses rises, drone operators who take CPD courses are likely to have the edge. Your commitment will not only chime with the culture of potential clients, but will also mark you out as a future-facing partner.
Emerging technologies like 3D mapping, backed up by drone software like Pix4D and DroneDeploy, are proving instrumental in the surveying sector – pilots who embrace CPD early will find they have the drone training they need as innovative tech opens up new horizons.
We’ll have to wait until later this year to see whether CPD hours for drone pilots themselves will become a mandatory requirement. However, there’s no need to wait before starting CPD. At an informal level, educating yourself about the latest trends in UAVs is a great starting point. There’s a wealth of information online, and reading articles and watching videos is a good habit to get into – and fun too.
Choosing the right course
Of course, choosing a formal CPD qualification takes a little more thought.
“When you’re looking at courses, do your homework on training providers,” Amanda urges.
“As the drone market grows, more providers will emerge – and you need to pinpoint the market leaders. A new, technological growth industry is likely to have a few providers who know a lot, rather than many who know a bit.
“Who has put the course together, who is the author and if there’s a face-to-face component who will your tutor be? Do your research and work out which providers are likely to pass on the best standard of education.”
Specialisation is also important. For operators weighing up CPD courses, are there options that directly match the nature of your business? If not, or if your company is still figuring that out or changing its direction, try to choose a CPD course that will give you transferable skills for the future. As commercial drone use becomes more specialised, context is everything.
In addition, ensure you’re getting quality as well as a qualification.
“Is your CPD course more than someone’s opinion?” Amanda asks. “It should cover what’s happening globally, in terms of regulations and trends for drones, and should push your expertise further.”
Whatever your business area and level of expertise, Coptrz has training for you. We offer a wide range of tailored CPD training courses, covering specific industry areas like surveying, aerial photography and confined space flying. Our geomapping course can also bring you up to speed with drone software Pix4d.
CPD means business
One overlooked secret to being a successful drone company is business skills. Again, the right CPD can fill in knowledge gaps here, helping you run a tighter ship. From accounting deadlines to good onboarding for new employees, there’s a wealth to learn when you’re starting out. If you’re a small operation, you might well find you’re juggling all manner of distinctly un-droney admin tasks.
As you’ve no doubt gathered by now, this also ties in closely with your legal requirements as an operator. If you’re self-employed, you’re liable for any mishaps within your day-to-day flying. From technical issues delaying delivery to your client to more serious incidents involving damage to your drones, client assets or even people, it’s vital you’re not flying blind.
That extends to your business operations too; for a start-up, overdue payments from a client could spell disaster.
Business insurance will play a massive part should any such problems arise, but how can you prepare in advance? Hiring a good accountant and a legal and admin expert would certainly do the trick, but smaller outfits may not be at that stage yet. CPD could prove a more cost-effective choice. Many drone CPD courses will include modules covering best practice, helping you to keep a firm handle on the risks of operating. And if you feel your company needs a complete overview of how it should work, consider a CPD course that focuses purely on boosting your business skills.
While CPD may not be the reason you bought your drone, it could be the reason you’re able to keep operating. For real pros, lifelong learning is more than another certificate on your wall: it’s a complete philosophy of excellence.
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