Hey everyone,

Been recently looking into having a career as a UAV pilot/operator. I know it sounds crazy since it seems people in UAV's want to get out. But ive been a computer gaming geek so I feel this would be a great career for myself. Heres a little about myself:

I'm a civilian student pilot. I have close to 200hrs total time. PPL with instrument rating. Currently working on commercial cert then on to CFI. Also working on my degree at ERAU in San Diego ( one of my aerodynamics prof works for general atomics on the reaper design which got me into thinking about UAVS).

Anyways, the civilian UAV route seems tough to get into right now. The mins seem to be comm cert with 300-500 hrs minimum, and it seems most UAV operators have military experience.

I'm looking into the US air force. How is the air force transitioning into the UAVs?

1. Are there a lot of slots open for the program?
2. How is the competition for them?
3. Is it worth my time? ( I just turned 25 years old, will I make the cut in time? )
4. Am I better off waiting for the civilian sector to pick up? ( if it ever does? )


Any information would be great on this topic. Thank you for your help. I look forward to discussing this with everyone.

PS: If you would like to share information on reserve/ANG that would be good. I would like to keep an open-mind with any UAV route.