An unmanned food delivery drone works in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, August 15, 2023. (Photo/Xinhua)

Chongqing - Luo Yan, the youngest female drone pilot in Jiangmen city of Guangdong province, uses the drone to spray nutrient solutions quickly and precisely to promote and protect flowers.

However, the role of a drone pilot goes beyond operating the drone. It also involves tasks like installing and debugging equipment, planning flight routes, calibrating flight parameters, and analyzing collected data. 

With the rapid growth of the low-altitude economy and the expanding use of drones, this new profession has seen a growing demand for skilled workers in recent years, media outlet The Paper reported on Thursday.

At a press conference on October 8, Li Chunlin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, revealed data showing that the current employment gap for drone operators in China is as high as 1 million.

However, the process is much harder, from obtaining certification to actually mastering the drone and completing tasks proficiently. According to The Paper, with the rapid advancement of technology, this profession requires continuous improvement of both personal skills and professional expertise.

Luo admitted that even though she scored full marks in the theoretical exam, operating the drone on the farm still felt dangerous and even "a little scary." "It's like getting a driver's license; mastering this skill really comes down to practice," she said.

Operating high-tech machinery often comes with challenges. Luo acknowledged, “You have to fly at different altitudes under varying wind conditions. Sometimes, you need to alternate spraying different chemicals, each with different concentrations. Finding the optimal height for spraying each chemical to achieve the best effect requires constant testing and adjustments to determine the right parameters for my crops.'"

In Shenzhen, Luo Xikun, a post-90s deliveryman, has transitioned from a "delivery driver" to a "drone pilot," The Paper reported. When a customer places an order, the merchant processes it, and a dedicated pickup person delivers the order to a nearby drone takeoff and landing station. From there, Luo starts to take his responsibility.

"In some scenic spots, parks, or mountainous areas in Shenzhen, it's difficult for delivery drivers to reach customers, and that's where drone delivery really plays a big role," he said.

However, Luo also acknowledged that with more delivery routes being added, the challenges posed by various environments to drones and the intelligent scheduling system are growing. "Especially in windy or rainy weather, we can't let the food tilt too much or spill. This makes the need for stable flight even more crucial."

"Before, I had to keep running or doing the manual work myself. But as a 'pilot,' in addition to improving my personal skills, I also have to keep learning the logic behind the rapid updates in drone functionality," Luo said.

According to data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, by June, the number of registered drones in the country had reached 1.88 million, but only over 225,000 people hold drone operator licenses.

The Paper cited Li Jiyu, director of the Robotics Engineering Department at the College of Engineering, South China Agricultural University, saying that the demand for skilled professionals in the drone industry far exceeds the supply.

Li said that to become a professional "pilot," one must first undergo at least six months of specialized training. Achieving proficiency from beginner to skilled operator requires 2-3 years of hands-on experience. The cost of related training generally amounts to 35,000 yuan ($4834.17).

"If you want to obtain an instructor's license, you need over 100 hours of flight time after obtaining a pilot's license, along with at least two years of work experience."

At the same time, to be a qualified "pilot," one must also master basic drone concepts and principles, safety operating regulations, flight techniques and skills, maintenance and care, and applications and case studies, Li explained.

Li believed that competition is intensifying with the rapid development of the drone industry, and professionals must continually enhance their skills and expertise to stay competitive.