Drone operators are the eye in the sky for energy operations. They operate, test, maintain and adjust unmanned drone equipment. Drones are used to observe and record data.
Drone operators need to understand and follow Transport Canada’s aviation regulations. They’re also usually technically savvy and keep up-to-date with the rapidly changing technologies available.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Offshore, Pipelines, Oil sands, Oil and gas services
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary $48,000 to $83,000
- Education Post-secondary diploma
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Preparing flight operations plans to communicate with stakeholders.
- Monitoring the condition of drones and related equipment, accessories, completing basic maintenance and/or inspection activities and ensuring equipment is in good condition.
- Coordinating with visual observers and ensuring they understand their responsibilities.
- Completing pre and post-flight checks, logs and documents.
- Completing flights in accordance with Transport Canada regulations and standard safety and operating procedures.
- Assisting in obtaining necessary permits and approvals.
- Collecting photography, videography and LiDAR data.
Education
- To conduct advanced operations, you must pass the small advanced exam and complete an in person flight review. Drone Flight School is strongly recommended.
Licensing
- Transport Canada RPAS Advanced Operations Pilot Certificate
- Radio Operator license
- Valid Driver’s license
Additional Requirements
- Experience with aerial surveying techniques and flight planning software
- Experience with AutoCAD, 3D models, photogrammetry and LiDAR
- Knowledge of different sensor types may be considered an asset
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily outdoor work
- Work is physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
- Mechanical
- Computers and electronics
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Production and processing
- Operation monitoring
- Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Quality control analysis
- Critical thinking
- Sub-sector Emissions reduction
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as a drone operator working in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to working in the cleantech industry. Drone Operators’ skills are most in demand in the emissions reduction sub-sector of cleantech.
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Preparing flight operations plans to communicate with stakeholders.
- Monitoring the condition of drones and related equipment, accessories, completing basic maintenance and/or inspection activities and ensuring equipment is in good condition.
- Coordinating with visual observers and ensuring they understand their responsibilities.
- Completing pre and post-flight checks, logs and documents.
- Completing flights in accordance with Transport Canada regulations and standard safety and operating procedures.
- Assisting in obtaining necessary permits and approvals.
- Collecting photography, videography and LiDAR data.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in cleantech may include:
- A class 5 driver’s license may be required by some employers. (emissions reduction)
Education
- To conduct advanced operations, you must pass the small advanced exam and complete an in person flight review. Drone Flight School is strongly recommended.
Licensing
- Transport Canada RPAS Advanced Operations Pilot Certificate
- Radio Operator license
- Valid Driver’s license
Additional Requirements
- Experience with aerial surveying techniques and flight planning software
- Experience with AutoCAD, 3D models, photogrammetry and LiDAR
- Knowledge of different sensor types may be considered an asset
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to cleantech include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (emissions reduction)
- Travel required (emissions reduction)
- Primarily outdoor work (emissions reduction)
- Physical work (emissions reduction)
- Less formal organizational structure (emissions reduction)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (emissions reduction)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (emissions reduction)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (emissions reduction)
- Safety-sensitive environment (emissions reduction)
- Transition to a similar level (emissions reduction)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily outdoor work
- Work is physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
- Mechanical
- Computers and electronics
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Production and processing
- Operation monitoring
- Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Quality control analysis
- Critical thinking
- Sub-sector Construction
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as a drone operator working in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to working in the industrial construction and maintenance industry. Drone operators’ skills are most in demand in the engineering, design and procurement and construction project life cycle phases of industrial construction and maintenance in energy.
In addition to the activities below, specific activities in industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Acquiring aerial imagery and performing terrestrial survey tasks.
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Preparing flight operations plans to communicate with stakeholders.
- Monitoring the condition of drones and related equipment, accessories, completing basic maintenance and/or inspection activities and ensuring equipment is in good condition.
- Coordinating with visual observers and ensuring they understand their responsibilities.
- Completing pre and post-flight checks, logs and documents.
- Completing flights in accordance with Transport Canada regulations and standard safety and operating procedures.
- Assisting in obtaining necessary permits and approvals.
- Collecting photography, videography and LiDAR data.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in industrial construction and maintenance may include:
- A class 5 driver’s license may be required by some employers. (construction)
Education
- To conduct advanced operations, you must pass the small advanced exam and complete an in person flight review. Drone Flight School is strongly recommended.
Licensing
- Transport Canada RPAS Advanced Operations Pilot Certificate
- Radio Operator license
- Valid Driver’s license
Additional Requirements
- Experience with aerial surveying techniques and flight planning software
- Experience with AutoCAD, 3D models, photogrammetry and LiDAR
- Knowledge of different sensor types may be considered an asset
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (construction | engineering, design and procurement)
- Travel required (construction)
- Primarily outdoor work (construction)
- Physical work (construction)
- Less formal organizational structure (construction)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (construction)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (construction)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (construction)
- Safety-sensitive environment (construction)
- Transition to a similar level (construction)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily outdoor work
- Work is physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
- Mechanical
- Computers and electronics
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Production and processing
- Operation monitoring
- Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Quality control analysis
- Critical thinking
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as a drone operator working in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to working in digitization and automation in energy.
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Preparing flight operations plans to communicate with stakeholders.
- Monitoring the condition of drones and related equipment, accessories, completing basic maintenance and/or inspection activities and ensuring equipment is in good condition.
- Coordinating with visual observers and ensuring they understand their responsibilities.
- Completing pre and post-flight checks, logs and documents.
- Completing flights in accordance with Transport Canada regulations and standard safety and operating procedures.
- Assisting in obtaining necessary permits and approvals.
- Collecting photography, videography and LiDAR data.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in digitization and automation may include:
- A class 5 driver’s license may be required by some employers.
Education
- To conduct advanced operations, you must pass the small advanced exam and complete an in person flight review. Drone Flight School is strongly recommended.
Licensing
- Transport Canada RPAS Advanced Operations Pilot Certificate
- Radio Operator license
- Valid Driver’s license
Additional Requirements
- Experience with aerial surveying techniques and flight planning software
- Experience with AutoCAD, 3D models, photogrammetry and LiDAR
- Knowledge of different sensor types may be considered an asset
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to digitization and automation include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Travel required
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Less formal organizational structure
- Temporary/project-to-project work
- Freelance/contract opportunities
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily outdoor work
- Work is physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
- Mechanical
- Computers and electronics
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Production and processing
- Operation monitoring
- Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Quality control analysis
- Critical thinking
