From Hobby to Opportunity

At Sky Perth, drones are more than just machines. They’re tools that unlock new ways of thinking, working, and creating. For some, flying drones is just a fun way to spend a weekend. But for many others, it’s the beginning of something bigger. A career that blends creativity, technology, and freedom.

Rodrigo Branco Matsumoto, Chief Remote Pilot at Sky Perth, has seen it first-hand. “What starts as a hobby can change your life. When I picked up my first drone, I had no idea it would lead to working with Netflix, AppleTV+, and global tourism campaigns. I just followed what felt exciting. And it turned into a business.”

Let’s break down how drones are helping people rewrite their work stories. And how it might work for you, too.

The Rise of the Drone Economy

Drones used to be a niche interest. It is something for tech lovers or hobby pilots. Not anymore.

They now play a key role in industries like:

• Film and TV
• Real estate
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Marketing and tourism
• Events and festivals
• Environmental monitoring

What used to take a helicopter, a full crew, and tens of thousands of dollars can now be done with a single drone operator and the right skills. That’s a massive shift. It has opened the door for new careers.

Real People. Real Careers.

At Sky Perth, we’ve worked with people who’ve made the leap.

• A wedding photographer who added drone services and tripled their bookings.
• A tourism guide who used drone footage to bring in international guests.
• A construction worker who now inspects rooftops and solar panels from above.
• A creative who turned weekend flights into full-time video gigs.

Rodrigo puts it simply. “It’s not about becoming a drone geek. It’s about learning a skill that gives you more ways to help others, tell stories, or solve problems. That’s where the value is.”

The Misunderstood Skill

Many people assume you need to be an engineer or tech wizard to fly drones professionally. That’s just not true.

Here’s what you need:

• A steady hand
• An eye for detail
• The ability to learn and adapt
• A passion for doing work that matters

From there, it’s just practice. Rodrigo often quotes The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. “Resistance will try to stop you. But the pros show up anyway.“ That mindset is what turns play into purpose.

The Knowledge Gap

The big issue is that most people don’t know where to start. They don’t realise their casual weekend flights are building real skills. They don’t know that their footage, even if rough, could be improved, packaged, and sold. They assume the industry is too full, too regulated, or too far out of reach.

Rodrigo created a simple quiz to help fix that.

It’s not a sales pitch. It’s not a test. It’s a quick way to understand if you have what it takes. And where your next step could be.

Why Now Is the Best Time

Technology has caught up with creativity.

• Drones are cheaper, smaller, and smarter.
• Editing software is more accessible.
• Demand for content is higher than ever.
• Remote work is becoming the norm.
• Small teams are hiring creatives with multiple skills.

It’s never been easier to start.

It’s also never been more competitive. That’s why having a strategy matters, as well as knowing where your strengths are and how to grow.

Career Paths You Can Explore

If you’re wondering what kind of jobs you could aim for, here’s a short list.

• Freelance drone operator for weddings, real estate, or commercials
• Content creator combining drone footage with editing skills
• Surveying and inspections for buildings, mining, or agriculture
• Drone trainer or consultant helping others learn or get certified
• Tourism and travel storytellers capturing unique destinations
• Stock footage seller uploading and licensing your drone clips

The beauty is that many of these roles can start as side hustles. You don’t have to quit your job on day one.

As Napoleon Hill said, “What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.“ And when you realise drone work is just as much about mindset as tech, things start to click.

What’s Holding You Back?

Often, the most significant barrier isn’t gear. It’s doubt.

• “I’m too late to the game.“
• “I don’t have a fancy drone.“
• “I’m not creative enough.“
• “I don’t know how to get clients.”

These are the thoughts that keep people stuck. But every Sky Perth team member started in the same place. Not knowing how far this could go.

Rodrigo shares one of his favourite quotes from The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. “Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday‘ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.”

The truth. You just need to begin.

The Sky Isn’t the Limit

You might think of drones as flying cameras. But we think of them as career launchers.

Rodrigo sees it every day. “We work with big names. But we also work with people who are just starting. What they have in common is simple. They take action. They try. They improve. They show up.”

The industry is still young. That means there’s room for new voices, new styles, and new leaders.

Final Thoughts

If you’re reading this and wondering if this could be for me, we invite you to take the quiz. It’s free. It’s fast. It might just show you a path you didn’t know was there.

👉 Take the quiz now https://quiz.skyperth.com/paidtofly

You never know what’s possible until you try. And when you fly, the view changes.

 

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