A Remote Pilot job involves operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, for various commercial, industrial, and governmental purposes. Remote pilots are responsible for flying drones safely and efficiently while adhering to strict regulations set by aviation authorities like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India.

What are the Key Responsibilities of a Remote Pilot?

• Flight Planning: Preparing flight paths and planning operations to ensure the safety and efficiency of the mission.
• Drone Operation: Controlling the drone's takeoff, in-flight maneuvers, and landing using remote control systems.
• Data Collection: Capturing high-quality video, images, or sensor data based on the mission requirements (e.g., surveillance, agriculture, photography).
• Compliance: Ensuring all flights comply with aviation laws, airspace regulations, and safety protocols.
• Maintenance: Conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections, routine maintenance, and ensuring that the drone is in good working condition.
• Emergency Handling: Being prepared to handle any mid-flight issues, such as loss of communication, battery failure, or emergency landings.

What are the Industries Employing Remote Pilots?

• Agriculture: For crop monitoring, precision agriculture, and soil analysis.
• Construction and Real Estate: For aerial surveys, land mapping, and real estate marketing.
• Media and Entertainment: For capturing aerial footage for films, TV shows, and commercials.
• Security and Surveillance: For monitoring areas, security operations, and disaster response.
• Logistics: In drone delivery services for transporting packages in hard-to-reach locations.
• Environmental Conservation: For wildlife monitoring, environmental surveys, and disaster management.

What is the demand for remote pilot pilots in India?

India's drone market is projected to achieve a turnover of ₹12,000-15,000 crore by 2026. To boost the sector, the Government of India has introduced various initiatives, with the goal of establishing the country as a global leader in drone manufacturing. The drone training and education market, valued at $12 million in 2022, is anticipated to grow significantly, reaching $349 million by 2030.

Data scource: thehindu.com

How many remote pilots are hired every year in India?

India is expected to require at least 1 lakh (100,000) remote pilots in the coming years, reflecting the rapid growth of the drone industry. Each remote pilot in the country could potentially earn a monthly salary ranging between ₹50,000 to ₹80,000, depending on their expertise, the industry they work in, and the complexity of the drone operations they handle.

data source: timesofindia

This demand is driven by the increasing use of drones across various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, e-commerce, security, and public services. As India moves toward becoming a global hub for drone manufacturing and operations, the career outlook for remote pilots remains highly promising, with lucrative earning potential and diverse job opportunities.

What is the difference between Pilot and Remote Pilot?

Traditional Pilots: Operate manned aircraft like airplanes or helicopters, directly piloting the aircraft while on board. They are responsible for the safety of passengers and cargo, navigating through complex airspace, and adhering to strict protocols.

Remote Pilots: Operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones remotely, usually from a ground station. Their tasks typically involve aerial surveying, data collection, and specialized missions in industries like agriculture, media, construction, and security.

State wise Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) in India approved by DGCA

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Andhra Pradesh

1. Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU)
   Location: Guntur
   Base of Operation: Amaravahi Road, Lam, Guntur-522034
2. Drogo Drones Private Limited
   Location: Guntur
   Base of Operation: Bypass Road, Tadepalli Village, Guntur-522501
3. Raxa Security Services Ltd
   Location: Hindupur Taluk
   Base of Operation: Near Kodikonda Checkpost, Moramapalli Post, Chilamathur, Hindupur Taluk - 515601

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Assam

4. Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd.
   Location: Guwahati
   Base of Operation: Assam Forest School, Jalukbari, Guwahati-781014

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Gujarat

5. Sanskardham Campus
   Location: Ahmedabad
   Base of Operation: Bhopal GhumaSanand Road, Ahmedabad-382115
6. Blue Ray Aviation Private Limited
   Location: Mehsana
   Base of Operation: Village Merda-Ardaj, Taluka Kadi, District Mehsana-382721
7. Kaushalya The Skill University
   Location: Gandhinagar
   Base of Operation: Bhoyan Rothod, Gandhinagar-382420
8. RRU - DRONEACHARYA (Rashtriya Raksha University)
   Location: Gandhinagar
   Base of Operation: Lavad, Dahegam, Gandhinagar-382305
9. WOW GO GREEN LLP
   Location: Gandhinagar
   Base of Operation: Ramnagr Village, Kalol District
10. Kite Aero Pvt Ltd
    Location: Vadodara
    Base of Operation: Saidal Village, Vadodara-391761

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Haryana

11. Drone Destination Pvt. Ltd.
    Location: Gurugram
    Base of Operation: Village BahoraKalan, Gurugram-122413
12. Ganpati Aviation Solutions LLP
    Location: Bahadurgarh
    Base of Operation: Jagannath University, Bahadurgarh-Jhajjar Road
13. Global Avianautics Ltd (Government Aviation Training Institute)
    Location: Gurugram
    Base of Operation: Village Kharkari, Gurugram-122414
14. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
    Location: Gurugram
    Base of Operation: BhoraKalan, Gurugram-122413
15. Fore Institute of Drone Technology and Research (FIDTR)
    Location: Gurugram
    Base of Operation: Sector 86, Manesar, Gurugram
16. Drone Imaging & Information Services of Haryana Limited
    Location: Karnal
    Base of Operation: Ward No. 4, Phoosgarh, Karnal-132001
17. Flapone Aviation Private Limited
    Location: Sonipat
    Base of Operation: Village AkbarpurBarota, Sonipat-131103
18. CSC Academy
    Location: Karnal
    Base of Operation: RPPIT, Village Bastara, Karnal-132114
19. Phoenix Drone Flying LLP
    Location: Gurugram
    Base of Operation: KR Mangalam University, Gurugram-122103
20. SPH Aviation Pvt Ltd
    Location: Gurugram
    Base of Operation: Village and Post Shikhopur, Gurugram-122004
21. IoTech World Avigation Pvt. Ltd.
    Location: Gurugram
    Base of Operation: Sector 71, Gurugram

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Himachal Pradesh

22. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
    Location: Shahpur
    Base of Operation: ITI Shahpur-176206

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Karnataka

23. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
    Location: Bengaluru
    Base of Operation: Thirumagondanahalli, Doddaballapur, Bengaluru-561205
24. Agni Aero Sports Adventure Academy
    Location: Mandya District
    Base of Operation: Pandavapura Taluk, Mandya District-571812
25. Multiplex Drone Private Ltd
    Location: Bangalore
    Base of Operation: Mallarabanavadi Village, Bangalore-562123
26. Aerophile Academy Private Limited
    Location: Bangalore
    Base of Operation: Doddaballpur, Bangalore-560089
27. Neosky India Limited
    Location: Kolar
    Base of Operation: Kolar Taluk & District-563133
28. Airbus Group India Private Limited
    Location: Bangalore
    Base of Operation: Chandrapura-Anekal Main Road, Bangalore-562106
29. Clearskies Learning & Research Pvt Ltd
    Location: Bangalore
    Base of Operation: Chikkaballpur, Bangalore-562103

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Kerala

30. Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems Private Limited
    Location: Kasargod
    Base of Operation: Vidyanagar-Uliyathedka Road, Kasargod-671123

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Madhya Pradesh

31. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
    Location: Gwalior
    Base of Operation: MITS, Gwalior-474005
32. Ultimate Energy Resource Private Ltd
    Location: Bhopal
    Base of Operation: Salaiya Road, Misrod, Bhopal-462047
33. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
    Location: Bhopal
    Base of Operation: Skill Development Centre, Bhopal-462038

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in New Delhi

34. Redbird Flight Training Academy
    Location: Dwarka
    Base of Operation: Palam Extension, Sector-7, Dwarka-110077

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Maharashtra

35. Drone Acharya Aerial Innovation Pvt. Ltd.
    Location: Pune
    Base of Operation: Oriental Education Society, Pune-412205
36. PBC’s Aero Hub
    Location: Pune
    Base of Operation: Purandar, Pune-413133
37. Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt. Ltd.
    Location: Pune
    Base of Operation: Baramati, Pune-412204
38. The Bombay Flying Club
    Location: Dhule
    Base of Operation: Gondur Airfield, Maharashtra
39. Aman Aviation and Aerospace Solution Pvt. Ltd.
    Location: Palghar
    Base of Operation: Virar East, Thane-Palghar-401203
40. Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth
    Location: Ahmednagar
    Base of Operation: Agricultural Research Station, Ahmednagar-41005
41. Terna Public Charitable Trust
    Location: Osmanabad
    Base of Operation: Solapur Road, Osmanabad-413501
42. AdiSA Drona Private Limited
    Location: Sangli
    Base of Operation: ADCET, Sangli-416301
43. Kasegaon Education Society's Rajarambapu Institute of Technology
    Location: Sangli
    Base of Operation: Islampur, Sangli-415414
44. Rao Industries
    Location: Pune
    Base of Operation: Rajgurunagar Khed, Pune-410505
45. Dronetech Solutions Private Ltd
    Location: Phalghar
    Base of Operation: Nallasopara, Phalghar-401203
46. J VE Konnect Private Limited (OPC)
    Location: Navi Mumbai
    Base of Operation: Sanpada, Navi Mumbai-400706

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Odisha

47. Centurion University of Technology and Management
    Location: Paralakhemundi
    Base of Operation: Paralakhemundi, Odisha-761211

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Punjab

48. Drone Destination Pvt. Ltd.
    Location: Mohali
    Base of Operation: Chandigarh University, Mohali

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Rajasthan

49. Wissmo Agventure Private Limited
    Location: Jaipur
    Base of Operation: SKN University, Jobner, Jaipur-303328

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Tamil Nadu

50. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
    Location: Coimbatore
    Base of Operation: Hindusthan College of Engineering & Technology, Coimbatore-641032
51. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
    Location: Madurai
    Base of Operation: Vaigai College of Engineering, Madurai-625122
52. Garuda Aerospace Private Limited
    Location: Chennai
    Base of Operation: Thalambur, OMR, Chennai
53. CASR Anna University
    Location: Chennai
    Base of Operation: MIT Campus, Anna University, Chennai-600044

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Telangana

54. Telangana State Aviation Academy
    Location: Hyderabad
    Base of Operation: Begumpet, Hyderabad
55. Marut Drone Tech Pvt. Ltd.
    Location: Hyderabad
    Base of Operation: National Institute of Plant Health Management, Hyderabad-500030
56. Flytech Aviation Academy
    Location: Hyderabad
    Base of Operation: Nadergul Airfield, Hyderabad-500070
57. Drone Academy Private Ltd
    Location: Hyderabad
    Base of Operation: Timberlake Colony, Hyderabad-500008
58. Pavman Aviation Private Limited
    Location: Hyderabad
    Base of Operation: Kapil Towers, Hyderabad-500032
59. Woahage Aviation Private Limited
    Location: Bhuvanagiri
    Base of Operation: Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Telangana-508116

DGCA Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization in Uttar Pradesh

60. Dronachariya Drone Academy LLP
    Location: Meerut
    Base of Operation: Sardhana, Meerut
61. Pioneer Flying Academy Pvt. Ltd.
    Location: Aligarh
    Base of Operation: Ozone City, Aligarh-202001
62. Drone Destination Private Limited
    Location: Phulpur
    Base of Operation: IFFCO, Phulpur-212404
63. Naini Aerospace Limited
    Location: Prayagraj
    Base of Operation: UPSIDC Industrial Area, Naini, Prayagraj-211010

Conclusion

In conclusion, the remote pilot industry in India is on a significant upward trajectory, driven by advancements in drone technology and supportive government policies. The demand for remote pilots is expected to surge, with over 100,000 pilots required in the coming years across sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, e-commerce, and security. With competitive salaries ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹80,000 per month and growing opportunities, remote piloting is emerging as a promising career path in aviation industry.

India's drone market, projected to achieve a turnover of ₹12,000-15,000 crore by 2026, is further bolstered by the expansion of drone training and education, expected to grow from $12 million in 2022 to $349 million by 2030. The availability of over 63 DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs) across the country ensures that aspiring pilots have access to high-quality training, preparing them for lucrative and diverse job roles in this rapidly growing industry.