Help wanted: Commercial drone boom opens door for mechanics
FARGO, N.D. — With the number of commercial drones expected to soar into the millions in the next few years, operators whose unmanned aircraft malfunction or crash will be looking for places to get them fixed.
Some repair shops authorized by manufacturers to fix smaller drones already are having trouble keeping up with demand. For several weeks, a California company had a note posted on its website referring specifically to the Phantom drone: “Temporarily not accepting any new repairs at this time due to high volume. Please check back soon.” The message was recently removed.
While such waits might be frustrating for operators, it spells opportunity for repair shops keen to diversify and budding drone mechanics who could start lucrative careers repairing commercial drones without having to pay for a four-year college degree.
“I’m trying to hire two experienced drone technicians at $20 an hour and I can’t find anybody,” said James Barnes, who founded the New Jersey Drone Academy. “This gives kids in urban areas that can’t go to college now a chance to work at a trade and make decent money.”