US-based drone company looking to hire ex-pilots as operators

Connecticut-based startup Aquiline Drones is envisioning to provide short-term jobs to thousands of airline pilots who would become certified drone operators.

The roles would range from capturing aerial footage at a wedding to snapping pictures of bridges and roadways for a public works department.

Aquiline's goal is to be the drone version of Uber or Lyft while helping license thousands of new drone operators, including many out-of-work former airline pilots.

Currently, there are less than 200,000 certified drone operators in the United States.

Since 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration has required drone operators to obtain certification.

The company has a licensing program, dubbed "Flight to the Future," slated to start virtual six-to-eight week training program on September 1

Over 1,500 members of the general public have signed up, along with 2,000 pilots.

If Aquiline succeeds, newly licensed drone pilots will form a core network of contractors that will log onto Aquiline's drone-for-hire app each day and pick a task in their area.

According to Aquiline Drones founder Barry Alexander, operators are expected to get a minimum of $300 at a $150 per hour rate.

However, independent contractors are not guaranteed affordable health insurance, paid time off, or any other benefits offered to full-time workers.