This week I got the chance to ask some questions of Mr. Jeffrey Borders, who made a career in the field of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). Several studies reveal that approximately 100,000 new jobs could be created in the drone industry over the next 10 years, so this is definitely a promising field of work in the aviation industry. I was curious to learn more and Mr. Borders very kindly accepted to respond to my queries about his career path.Mr. Borders, could you perhaps start by introducing yourself and letting us know how you first got into aviation? What motivated you?My career began with the influence of my father who was a commercial airline pilot. This instilled a love of aviation in me. I served in the Air Force and then became a Licensed Rotorcraft Pilot. Eventually, I found my way back to aviation and the beginning of sUAS. I decided that the last of my career would be flying drones and I never looked back.How did you get into the field of UAS? Did becoming a UAS pilot require additional training or education?I already held my Private License Rotorcraft and decided to take the Part 107 test to get the certification. Given my background as a Private Pilot I just needed to review the Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM) with the newly added Part 107 before taking the exam. From that, I sought out all the information that I could find. Additionally, I chose to experience all the varied types of work that existed in the sUAS industry: Real Estate Photography, Mapping, Powerline inspection and R&D.Was your experience as a private pilot of any use at all to you as a UAS pilot?Absolutely! Having a background in manned aviation makes me a safer pilot.You became a sUAS test pilot. What did you do in that position?I worked as a Test Pilot with a company that was inspecting Airport Instrument landing systems. I did not attend any official test pilot school.Today you work as a flight test operator. What does that role entail?Yes, my current title is Flight Test Operator. However, we function in many roles as PIC-Pilot in Command as well as VO-Visual Observers. At this time however, there is not a consistency in role names in the sUAS industry as you will see when searching for work as a sUAS Pilot.How do you see the future of UAS?I believed in the beginning that the use of sUAS in the world would expand to many industries. The growth continues at an accelerated rate and the perception of drones in the public has evolved. However, with the war in Ukraine we are also seeing the use of drones in war in a public realm. It’s important as sUAS pilots that we act professionally to garner public endorsement for the future of our industry. The biggest challenge we face in the USA is the FAA. However, the FAA has come a long way with the inclusion of sUAS in the US airspace.Is there anything else you’d like to share?I wish for you and all the young pilots coming into our industry today great success!Thank you so much! I truly appreciate you taking the time to respond to my questions.
a career with a promising future
