Commercial Drone Pilot Starting from Ground Zero: What I Learned
When I wanted to learn how to fly drones, things weren’t so easy at first—I had to start from ground zero with no background knowledge on drones or the world of aerial videography. All I knew was that I wanted to make something great, but I wasn’t sure where to start. Through trial and error, however, I eventually figured out a way to reach my goal. And what I discovered is applicable to any endeavor or journey you may be taking in life.
The Power of Asking Questions as a Drone Pilot
There are so many questions that need answered as you move towards becoming a drone pilot. The first place I looked to for answers was Google of course. I read articles and blog post, then started watching some YouTube videos. But one of the most important lessons I learned was the power of asking questions. When it comes to learning new skills or gaining knowledge about a topic, there’s no substitute for simply asking people who have already been there and done that. This means seeking out experts and knowledgeable individuals who can give you insight into your chosen field. In my case, this meant reaching out to established drone pilots and content creators whose work inspired me. There were times I’d see someone flying a drone at a park and just stop and talk with them. Not only did they give me invaluable advice on what gear and techniques worked best for them, but they were also willing to share mistakes they made along the way so that I could avoid repeating them myself. Drone Pilots have so much knowledge and first hand experience to share.
The Value of Mentorship as a Drone Pilot
My journey also taught me the importance of mentorship. Although anyone can find success on their own with enough research and dedication, having a mentor will often shorten the learning curve considerably. Mentors provide guidance and support during times when YouTube just doesn’t know your exact question or when you’re not sure what direction you should take next and they can hold you to a standard that is higher then you think is possible. It’s important, however, to choose mentors carefully—you should look for someone who is where you want to be in terms of skill level or success in their given field. That way, you know their advice is based on experience rather than speculation or theory alone. Having a good mentor in your corner, pushing and encouraging you, will help you achieve your goals so much faster and is so worth the time and money.
Creating Your Own Path as a Drone Pilot
Starting from zero taught me that while it’s extremely helpful to seek advice from those more experienced than ourselves, it's ultimately up to us as individuals to create our own paths toward success using all available resources at our disposal. This includes our own experience and intuition! By listening closely and remaining open-minded throughout our journey, we can gain valuable insight into the process of achieving goals that might otherwise remain hidden from view. If we don't take time to explore all possibilities thoroughly, before making decisions based solely on others' opinions alone, we could be making decisions that don’t serve us well and actually slow our progress down. We all have unique strengths and weaknesses. What works for one person, may not work as great for another. Gather lots of information and advice, but never forget that you are bringing your own unique personality into the equation and that will greatly impact the path you take as a drone pilot.
Motivation is a Lie as a Drone Pilot
Is easy to be motivated when your plan is going well. The motivation starts to lag when situations are not favorable. That’s when determination wins! What do you do when you are unmotivated? No-one can give you determination…you have to find it yourself. I crashed my first drone and it broke beyond repair. I could have called it quits, but I didn’t. I was not motivated to keep trying at that moment; I was really bummed about crashing and I had to shell out more money to get a replacement. But, I was determined that I was going to become a commercial drone pilot and I was not going to take a crash as a sign that it was not meant to be. See, I thought for the longest time that there were some people who were just naturally motivated and they seemed to just sail though life effortlessly, or so it seemed. What I’ve learned is that could not be further from the truth. They have created habits that carry them though the hard days, the days when they don’t feel like doing what they should be to obtain their goals. What can you learn from this? Create some healthy habits surrounding your goals. When motivation lags, which it will at some point, those habits you develop will help you you stay focused on your goals as a drone pilot.
No matter what your current situation may be; whether you are starting from ground zero on this new path towards success or trying something completely different from anything else you've ever done before; always remember that starting from zero can be an incredibly empowering experience! Learning new things takes time, but with patience, perseverance, and an open mind--you can achieve anything if you are willing put in the hard work necessary for success! With these insights under your belt, you will have everything needed for navigating through whatever journey lies ahead! I hope this brings you encouragement as you go from ground zero to flying a drone as a drone pilot.