Drones: Exploiting the Third Dimension

“Many pilots, including Martha and me, first explored aviation with model airplanes,” said John King, co-owner of King Schools. “Compared with the numbers for modelers, the numbers of drone pilots are exponentially greater. If even a tiny percentage of drone pilots move on to manned aircraft, the benefit to the aviation community could be huge.”

A quick search online shows how aviation retailers are embracing drones: King Schools and Sporty’s Pilot Shop both offer ground school courses and test prep that look much like their private pilot offerings. In fact, King Schools states this on its website: “The key word to becoming a drone pilot is pilot—when flying drones, you need to know a significant amount of the same core subjects pilots flying airplanes need to know and fully understand.”

The retailers also offer an assortment of actual drones and parts, as does aircraft supply company and AOPA partner Aircraft Spruce and Specialty (www.aircraftspruce.com).

AOPA launched a new line of membership options created for drone pilots in February. “Drone pilots are seeking their place in the larger world of aviation,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “This is an ideal time to embrace these pilots and welcome them to the GA family.”

AOPA has also launched an email newsletter for drone pilots (www.aopa.org/dronepilot), has a formal arrangement with drone-training industry leader DARTdrones, and represents GA on the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee. The association also hired a senior director for its unmanned aircraft systems programs; Katherine “Kat” Swain is a manned and unmanned pilot and CFI.

“The inevitable flood of drones into our aviation community will enable millions of people to exploit the third dimension and will likely have profound effects on the community,” said King. “It is in the best interest for everyone in the aviation community to embrace these new drone pilots. Only by welcoming them to our community can we hope to help them fully understand the combination of joy and responsibility they will gain from experiencing the third dimension directly.”

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