Graduates from Skyborne Airline Academy can now start a new career as a drone pilot, thanks to a unique partnership with Flyby Technology, the leader in UK drone training and operation.
Recognizing the short-term challenges that COVID-19 could present to airline placement, newly qualified pilots from Skyborne’s UKCAA/EASA Integrated and Combined Modular ATPL programs will be hand-selected to join Flyby Technology as commercial drone pilots, completing the company’s Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) training course.
Lee Woodward, Chief Executive Officer, Skyborne, says: “This is a first for UK pilot training. Working with Flyby Technology provides a fantastic opportunity for our graduates to build a career flying unmanned aircraft, while enhancing their pilot skills, expanding their knowledge and further developing their professionalism. At Skyborne, we are committed to innovation and our newly qualified pilots will help shape the future of this exciting field of aviation.
“While we recognize many of our trainees may ultimately seek airline placement once post-COVID-19 travel demand recovers, completing their drone pilot licence will result in a competitive starting salary and potentially lead them to an alternative career.”
Skyborne graduates who complete Flyby Technology’s BVLOS course will go on to be employed as drone pilots, where they will be operating sophisticated technology in challenging commercial operations. The UKCAA is currently reviewing legislation for BVLOS flights in non-segregated airspace, enabling pilots to potentially carry out tactical search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief, mapping, and various medical applications.
Jon Parker, Founder of Flyby Technology, airline pilot and former RAF fighter pilot, says: “The unmanned aircraft industry is leading the way into a new age of aviation. Flyby Technology is trailblazing BVLOS training which will take the flying of civilian drones to a completely new level. We know that Skyborne graduates are very well trained, motivated and would make ideal drone pilots once we have given them further specialist training.”
For more information please contact the Skyborne team at [email protected]
