Can you REALLY make £65,000 as a Drone Pilot? | Mr MPW

[@TheOliverSteeperFoundation]

One of the reasons I stopped teaching the PFCO courses with an NQE was seeing folks coming through the courses with Mavics, even sparks with a vision of dominating the drone industry and sadly get their qualifications and then struggle to earn a single penny and some had quit full time jobs to do this. You are absolutely correct, in finding a niche, the smaller "common" markets are flooded with newly qualified operators, who compete against each other for a race to the lowest price just for "any work". I started a UAV business 5 years ago, on my own, whilst still in full time employment (55k). Two years ago, I went full time drone and now have 3 pilots doing fairly well income wise (self employed) but it all boils down, as said above and by yourself, finding a niche. A word of advice to anyone looking to join the drone industry, please please do not quit full time jobs to follow the dream, its something to build up slowly, gain client respect and confidence in your operations and it will come to you. Keep up the good work Matt.

[@MrMPW]

Thanks Lewis-great to hear your thoughts, thank you for sharing with everyone! Hope you’re well mate! :)

[@mattc3510]

Great advice man. May I ask what speciality you went into? I’m in Australia and it looks like mapping or inspections is where more work is and requires a lot better equipment and a lot more training.

[@DSPrints_]

I took a course you taught. Never finished my ops manual it was a mine field of understanding and had to get a full time job to gain money to start photography business Now everything has changed with rules and pfco I need to relearn to try again

[@simonleach7781]

Welcome back. I am glad you are feeling better. Thank you to you and your team for supporting us all as we move forward

[@MrMPW]

Thanks Simon! Feeling much better thank you & great to be able to get back on the camera today. It almost lasted all the way though... Fingers crossed it keeps getting better and I'll be back up to full strength soon; no stopping me then! ;)

[@IoanSaid]

For me it's an add on to my photography business. I am turning up to your course with a Mavic (a clearly much loathed Mavic Air 2 from what I can see on various videos) but I'm approaching it, I think, in a professional way. I'm currently spending as much time I can flying. (I've flown every 2 days since I've bought it). Same empty field, just practicing my flying technique, adjusting my touch on the controls. I've also bought things which will help identify me to the public when I'm working as a professional drone operator. And today, I spent half of the day (the half I wasn't flying) contacting old photography clients asking them for an online review, directing them to a page that now mentions drones! Which opens conversations about future work.. Then my plan is to master flying the basics and then move to bigger, better drones and we'll see where it takes me!

[@afistfulofvideos]

Good to have you back! The job availablity here in the UK is definitely pushing me to get better and learn as much as I can drone wise. I thought I could have a day job and do this on the side but there just aren't any jobs around currently so I put all my energy into getting better at flying and taking pictures.

[@MrMPW]

Thanks Alex - great to be back! :) That's one of the best things you can do - keep trying to improve and practise at every opportunity you can get...

[@terrestrialreconnaissance5707]

Welcome back Matt. Sound advice, as usual, there is lots of sound advice that you have already produced many useful KZbin presentations. Building a new business is very hard work and in my personal experience, is all about networking - on top of investment in training, qualifications, and equipment. Rgds William.

[@MrMPW]

Thank you! Slowly getting there - the last couple of weeks have been very frustrating but good to be back and lots of new stuff to come too! :) Yep... Network, network, network and get your message out there. On top of improving your game all the time... Funny, that a 'full-time' job, really is a 'full-time job'! ;)

[@robinfpv4858]

I can't believe I've already wasted for years studying to become a psychologist when I could have just done a PFCO and got a Mavic 2

[@davymac9866]

Makes me appreciate my job as an aircraft engineer pulling in 37k if I'm honest but I'm actually interested in getting into this industry as something I can do alongside my current job.

[@pixusphotographic]

knowledge is important too. You need to be an expert in photography and editing, not just having good gear.

[@MrMPW]

Totally agree... Even for us when we were running separate pilots and camera op it still helped massively to have a bigger picture understanding of what was required and how to achieve each shot.

[@molnarzsolt3921]

Would you recommend any course to start with? Thanks

[@funkam0nkey]

I’m a photographer from Anglesey and each year we are inundated with tourists who use their phones and cameras to take photographs of the islands sights. I’ve had a lot of success selling images I’ve taken with the my drones. Being able to offer a different perspective gives me a unique selling point.

[@stones-ds1yy]

I’m currently studying for my PFCO and am under no illusions that I’m going to be making anywhere near these figures. At the moment it’s a hobby for me and if I can make some money here and there then for me that’s going to be a bonus. Keep up the good vids ✌🏽

[@boyalroyal]

Absolutely love your honesty in this video Matt!

[@PaulreynoldsMCMXXLII]

Good points raised Matt. More sensible to treat as a hobby before relying on this as your main income.

[@oligould8575]

good tips. recently lost my job and trying to start up a side hustle to go alongside a new job. I know its not going to be easy to go from a mavic 3 (the best drone I can afford) to being fully trained flying those large drones with a whole team... but heck it seems like its worth giving a go, even if I just learn photo editing skills and earn a bit of cash here and there doing weddings or events... plus you never know what doors may open along the way :)

[@riverrat_uk]

people watching to many "i make £2k a day with my drone". I brought a p4 pro v2 a year ago and has sat in box for 8 months due to working. Will learn more soon and a course. Would be happy to cover rent or mortgage a month. As im SIA badged for cctv ect more looking to do photos of houses for sale or events, as well as security patrols etc and maybe later search and rescue. Got a lot of links for doing photos and videos of building sites as well

[@NickLewis]

To follow up. I think it will be good to take one of the courses and get a qualification not for the sake of income but to better myself as an aerial photographer. The qualification will allow me more scope to fly with more confidence, share my productions online build an audience. You can only start a business if you are comfortable you can walk the walk. Fly the fly instead perhaps!!

[@NickLewis]

This is great advice and I hadn’t heard the £65k thing. Since learning of the new courses and options open to people, it has piqued my interest to investigate how I get from A to Z if I were to seriously consider drones as a business idea. Many people say I should but I look at my Mavic and doubt I’d cut the mustard with that alone. I run a web business at the moment and know how tough it can be. I can do just as well financially some years.

[@keithsphone5712]

Drones are not just for photography filming etc, surveying is a bit more specialised and not for everyone as the investment is more and a lot more precessional indemnity. But the rewards can be higher. However you really needs to to know surveying, so not for everyone and hard to break into as a business.

[@MrMPW]

Hey Keith; welcome to the channel! Yep, fully agree & it’s the data which you can capture and deliver using the drone that is the valuable part... The drone is just a tool to capture it & shouldn’t be the ‘reason’ people employ you for your services alone...

[@learnshareevolve1842]

Fantastic dose of truth!

[@whartonoutdoors7493]

How do you decide on what to charge? I have almost two years experience as an operator for someone else, and am toying with the idea of going solo. What to charge is my stumbling block, oh and understanding what I need from the CAA as 2021 begins.

[@stanbci]

I like the open/honest to you express here….thanks

[@citizenphaid1880]

Hey. Looking for some guidance please. I have a “brown” (pre JAA) CAA PPL which I understand is a lifetime licence however I’m not current so no SEP rating. Does having a PPL provide any dispensation in terms of the theory aspects given I’ve already trained in air law etc. cheers.

[@EchoalfaUk]

He speaks! Glad you’ve got your voice back! Does this mean you’ll be back on the beers for next week? Good to see another video telling it like it is, no doubt this will irk some of your competition 😆

[@MrMPW]

Haha - he's baaaaack... Almost! ;) Always up for beers... You can take the man out of the Military, but you can't take the Military out of the man - don't need a voice to imbibe copious amounts of beer juice! ;) Probably, but again, it's really important that people realise what they're getting in to, if they do decide it's for them. Look forward to catching you next week!

[@molnarzsolt3921]

What is a decent qualification level on the pilot field? Could you people name it please? Also an editing course here in Uk and a good drone to start with?

[@DavidOwensuk]

Good to have you back!

[@MrMPW]

Thanks David! 💪🏻👍🏻

[@mikenash4216]

Great dose of realism!

[@tetleyk]

Thanks Matt. Topical as usual, looking forward to the A2 CofC videos.

[@MrMPW]

Cheers! :) Yeah - so sorry about the delay on that training... This really did hit me for 6 and I was pretty useless for the last few weeks. :( Hoping my voice will be strong enough to get it shot early next week, edited and out to everyone! :) Thanks for bearing with us!

[@PHowarthPhotography]

Wow...Fantastic reality check!!! Impressed!

[@MrMPW]

Important to be upfront and honest about the opportunities and likelihood of people ‘succeeding’, I think! Probably isn’t great for the business of training but couldn’t sleep at night if we were promising rivers of gold and then couldn’t deliver!

[@alexmoczek3146]

A lot does your confidence with communication with clients. You should also teach that too. Have a fantastic day

[@WillPreston3D]

First 5 minutes of this video could be summarised by saying "65k a year, wow that's a lot of money, most people don't earn that much"

[@Obliviatora]

Thank you for the honest reality check, very helpful! I have a question: You explained that you actually made good money with drone flying. May I ask why you moved away from it? Do I understand correctly that drone training allows you to make even better money and provide more consistent income?

[@AndyMast666]

Did you go to the Showmans Show at Newbury with an Apache, late 90's.

[@imon313]

Hi I am interested for studying more about Drone and its business, what should I do to start and how much money will it take ?

[@andyxeno]

Great video, as someone with no drone experience & considering venturing into using drones to make a living i appreciate your candor (subscribed ;) )

[@MrMPW]

Thanks for the sub, much appreciated! :) I just think it’s really important that people don’t come into it thinking it’s going to be an easy route to riches... Whilst I’ve been unable to shoot content over the last couple of weeks; I tried to drill down to the route cause of the bulk of the disillusionment within the industry... And I think it’s down to those selling the course who’s main marketing line is ‘earn £65k+ and be your own boss’. It’s definitely possible and the opportunities are there but it’s exactly the same as any other business or job. To earn that kind of money takes something or someone very skilled and experienced...

[@andyxeno]

​@@MrMPW Hi, thanks for the reply. i have lots of interest and lots of questions so rather than bombard you on youtube :) i think i'll take a look at the forum on uavhub.com. Thanks again.

[@MrMPW]

Hey Andy! Feel free to ask on here, or even better; give the team a shout-we’re always available and answering questions is our job! :) Unfortunately, the UAVHUB Forum is only available to members of the HUBSub or those who’ve attended one of our courses-just to keep it focussed, free from the ‘bitching and moaning’ we see on the other forums and because there’s often work etc shared between the forum members...

[@LeoFPV]

Welcome back mate!

[@MrMPW]

Cheers dude! 💪🏻💥

[@ericwatt1447]

Great to see you back i can only dream up here in Fraserburgh might get £65 a year

[@MrMPW]

Cheers Eric! Good to be back... One of the beauties of aviation though, is the ability to take the tools to where the work is... 😉 Have drone. Will travel!

[@ericwatt1447]

@@MrMPW Have now started to move onto other things with my Parrot anafi now nice wee drone for getting in to small places .The yuneec H is one of the best drones for wide open country work plus great picture quality .

[@Gary-ef6qo]

Refreshing to hear the reality of the industry👍

[@revb0]

Hi Matt, I can earn Sixty five K easily! Trouble is they want to pay me in the Venezuelan Bolivar. Nice to see you back.

[@MrMPW]

Haha! Or, as with most things in aviation - start with 100k and end up with 65k! ;)

[@philipgilligan_art]

Voice wobbled there a bit ho ho :)….. I am interestrd in getting a drone that provides better video quality whilst moving, I have an air 2s right now to learn on, it would be for arts based film productions as a hobby hoping to create fab movies for youtube

[@peterdavies7912]

Great Video thanks!

[@MrMPW]

No worries Peter-welcome to the channel! :)

[@PhantomandtheDrone]

Train driver...67 grand pa for a 4 day week!! That leaves 3 days for flying drones...🤫 As for just being a drone pilot?? I guess if you worked inside a company like network rail or the national grid that have their own drones and pilots, then you would be on between 45/65 grand a year. If you want to go it alone then the amount of work you have to put in is huge!! Its a big step, and it doesn't just come overnight. Good to see your back Matt! 👍👏

[@MrMPW]

Hey Phantom! Good to be back! :) Crikey - I need to get into driving trains by the looks of things! ;)

[@marufahned7019]

Any advice on how you can become a train driver do you apply for the job for the company to teach you..

[@PhantomandtheDrone]

@@marufahned7019 find out who your local train operator is, look on their website for Driver jobs, the industry always needs drivers as the workforce is starting to age and people don't like the shift work. Good luck 👍

[@IRTSurveys1]

Nice video Matt. You are dead right. We see exactly the same thing with thermal imaging. Buying the kit does not make a successful business. The truth to any business, if it's to survive and thrive, is that you need hard graft and years of metronomic dedication from the founders. We sell drone surveys and sub-contract the work to 3-4 trusted partners. £65K for a start up in a crowded, emerging sector, start up is fantasy land. You will burn £4K of fuel and depreciate your car and drone by a similar amount every year. Add in hotels, food, tax, rent rates, heat, light, accountant, legal fees, RAMS, insurance... you will soon see the truth emerge. Earning a true £65K - doing anything - means turning over much more. Maybe, £100K as a one person business without additional staff to pay. No matter how good the kit you buy, no matter how good a pilot you are and no matter where you are in the country - you have to be brutally honest with yourself and ask two questions. 1. Can you sell? and 2. Are you prepared to work 60 hours a week for no money for months to get your business off the ground?

[@simonida_cetkovic]

Before or after tax?

[@nafizhaq4554]

Understand that technology has become ever more democratise, what it would have required a full team to do a media or creative work, today your high end mobile phone can do with the help of AI. So its not as easy as It sound !

[@matrix5062]

Yes, that's what it is all about which killed the hobbyist off... £$£$£$

[@dtms6152]

👍👍👍

[@FritzPhoto]

Moving to the UK in the next months and would love to continue doing assignments with my drone. I am mainly into drone photography and built a portfolio of the place I currently live which is Malta. fritzphotography.smugmug.com/Malta-Landscapes/. A good composition and editing is crucial but these days everybody with a camera thinks he is a photographer. Will follow this channel to learn more about the laws in the UK and how to get the right license and find people to work with in the future.

[@MrMPW]

Hey Fritz! Welcome to the channel and good luck with the move! :) If there’s anything we can do to help, give us a shout. Absolutely agree re photography etc too! 👍🏻

[@andrewmaudsley7692]

Wonder how much people make dropping drugs in prisons, plus you know they be registered, need to be registered lol

[@MrMPW]

Haha-plenty I’d imagine... until they get caught! 😂