Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/5/2009

Question
Mr. Newmeyer:

I have an opportunity to attend unmanned aerial vehicle operator training. I have a Master's in aviation. As a luminary in the aviation field, do you know of any current trends or issues concerning needs of an unmanned operator in the civilian world? Is it our future? Will there be more of a demand in 21st century aviation? Does this skill set have room in the future of aviation hiring? Or is it such a small industry, that hiring is very competitive? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer
Steve,

I always operate on the assumption that more training in aviation is a good thing....probably will always be helpful in some way or another.  And, because it is something that has caught on in terms of stand-off aerial warfare, there will certainly be a role for these kinds of skills on the military side of things.

As far as applications in the civilian world, I think that, in the short term (next 10 years), that will depend on how the Federal Aviation Administration approaches this subject from a regulatory point of view.  That is, the mixing of unmanned vehicles with manned vehicles in the same airspace will be the issue that has to be addressed.  As of the end of this decade, there have been some limited applications of UAVs to Border Patrol areas and by NASA.  But, so far, these have been limited and await further funding by Congress.  So, as far as a skill set in demand....not yet.  But, for the future:  Maybe, depending on the actions of Congress and the FAA.

There are quite a few future applications that people have identified in the areas of securing our borders, law enforcement, agricultural applications, pipeline inspections, and the like.  But, some of those await further advancements in sensor technologies as well as UAV technologies and, of course, FAA airspace rulings.

So, my advice would be to get the training as a hedge for your future career path possibilities.  You may be way ahead of your time....or, you may well be on the cusp of something good.  

Best of wishes to you,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale