Drone Pilots

Many drone pilots who are employed by the military or defense contractors work in command centers that are in the United States, while flying drones that are halfway around the world. Others work at facilities in war zones overseas or in the field along with troops or intelligence officers. The work area of a military/defense contractor drone operator includes a throttle quadrant, a control stick, a mouse, keyboard, and several computer screens. Some pilots may work with a payload operator during missions.

Work as a military drone pilot can be extremely stressful due to the long hours, high-pressure of making life and death decisions daily, working in isolation, and witnessing combat violence on live video feeds. A study by the U.S. Department of Defense found that drone operators who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan experienced mental health issues (such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress) at the same rates as pilots of manned aircraft in these theaters of conflict.

A commercial UAS operator works in the field within visual site of the drone. Work environments range from a dusty farm field, to a sporting event, to a scene of a natural disaster. Drone pilots also spend time in the office completing paperwork and meeting with managers and clients.