Did you know that only 7.2% of FAA certified drone pilots in the US are women?* That’s actually slightly higher than the 7% of female airplane pilots**. And it’s way lower than the 38.6% of women who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM major in 2020. Any way you look at it, there’s a big gender gap across the board in the sciences and specifically aviation, which may exist due to lack of awareness, or fewer mentors or role models.
At the same time, women represent 40% of entrepreneurs in the US**. Did you also know that becoming an FAA certified drone pilot can help you build a business as an entrepreneur, as a drone photographer, videographer, insurance inspector or in search and rescue?
To inspire women and girls (you only have to be 16 to get your FAA Part 107 Certified Pilots License) to consider pursuing a career as a drone pilot, this article presents five notable women who have broken through this gender gap and encourages others to follow their lead.
Fallon Chan – A professional photographer who got into drones a decade or so ago. In her quest to look for a way to gain more exposure she stumbled on drones and has loved them ever since. Capturing the world from a whole new level, she is free of any boundaries.
Wendy Erikson – An Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and Podcast Host is a proud FAA Certified Remote Pilot who works actively as a drone advisor. Wendy came across drones when looking for a more effective way to cover a story, being a journalist it was her job to break the news in a way that shared the whole story.
Emily Hines – An avid skydiver who gave up on her passion after having kids, replacing it with a pilot’s license – she moved to build a real estate photography company and uses drone footage to showcase her properties. Give buyers a full view from indoors and outdoors!
Carmen Keeffe – A professional landscape photographer who feels drones have given her the wings she lacked, all the while springing her creativity to a whole new level. She can not only cover the ground but from a whole new viewpoint. Obsessed with bird-eye shots she soon became famous for covering things from a distinct perspective.
Elena Buenrostro – Took on drones after her trip to the Great Wall of China, inspiring her to build a community for Women Who Drone. An online community that highlights videos and photos of women who drone. Inspiring others to take on more creative fields using drones. It is now one of the largest online communities that offer women from all over the world the support they need to pursue their drone-related dreams.
These are just five of the many examples we have today! Women have not only taken on drone licenses, but they have also turned their passion into a fruitful career. These entrepreneurs have set the bar high in the sky, and now it’s time for others to follow their lead. The first thing you need is a Commercial Drone Pilot License, which can easily be achieved with the help of RBS Drone Technologies, Inc. trainers.
Contact us today to sign up for our next training. As us about special discounts for students.
