China
22:08, 30-May-2017
From cockpit to controller: Retired fighter pilot becomes drone operator
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Unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are occupying increasingly valuable positions in modern warfare. They're particularly useful in situations where having a real person in the cockpit is too difficult or risky.
In 2010, 47-year-old Chinese air force pilot Li Hao already had the end of an illustrious career in sight, which saw him log over 3,000 flying hours over three decades. CGTN's Tang Meng reports that the maximum age for pilots in China's air force is 48.
As he had dedicated more than half of his life to aviation, he wasn’t sure where the wind would blow him next, though he did receive lucrative offers to take high-paying jobs as a commercial pilot for different airlines.
“At the end of 2010, China's air force began recruiting its first batch of UAV operators, so I signed up right away,” said Li.
Li had to earn his wings all over again, becoming a student eager to learn the skills required to transition to an elite drone pilot.
Drones may be unmanned but pilots are still required. They control the aircraft, analyze the images their cameras send back and act on what they see.
Li Hao says drones have secured their place in future military operations, and he hopes more pilots will choose to join him in the years to come.