Visakhapatnam: Advances in drone technology, especially in the “Digital Twin” technology, are transforming the infrastructure industry. This innovative approach is setting new benchmarks for monitoring, maintenance and planning, indicating that it is not just a transient trend. As a result, the demand for qualified drone pilots is going up; due to their critical role in leveraging the full potential of these advanced systems.
Digital Twin technology creates virtual representations of physical assets that accurately reflect real-world entities. "Digital Twin encompasses the entire lifecycle of the asset, is updated with real-time data and employs simulation, machine learning and reasoning to facilitate decision-making," explained Satish Saladi, chief executive officer of the Innovation Centre for Drone Technologies at Andhra University.
This technology has generated substantial interest in the infra sector and is becoming an important element in infrastructure projects. Digital twin application requires the extensive use of drones to collect data, as the accuracy of the digital twin depends on the capabilities of the drone and the accuracy of the data it captures. To create a practical digital twin effectively, drone pilots must have flight planning and manoeuvring skills.
Lalita, a remote pilot trainer, emphasises the increasing need for skilled drone pilots: "As this technology progresses, the global demand for proficient drone pilots, particularly in the Digital Twin application, is rising. Those who are interested in drone piloting can get remote pilot training from the remote pilot training organisations (RPTOs), which are approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s civil aviation regulatory authority."
The RPTOs offer structured training programmes in operating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) safely and effectively. The training covers different aspects of drone operation such as flight planning, regulatory compliance and practical flight training. Those who get the certification from the RPTOs can take up drone pilot positions, particularly in the infrastructure sector. As the use of Digital Twin technology expands, drone pilots could expect opportunities in the infrastructure sector.
