Looking to purchase a drone for my son

So im looking for advice. My 20 year old son is being a lazy butt and is really not motivated to work or go to college. He is a computer freak (gaming) and is taking a couple of classes at a community college. He has worked at walmart right out of high school for about a year but got discouraged and lazy and quit. He seems to be interested in some sort of computer/IT career but I havent seen much progress with that only talk... but no action.

Anyway i came across some videos and info online about drone pilot and courses to take for part 107 license. To me it seems like a cool hobby to get into and even thought of doing this myself for fun and maybe to even make some cash on the side BUT I thought maybe this will interest my son and maybe he can make some money doing something that seems pretty cool. What do you guys think? Is this worth it? paying for some of these courses on line and getting the license?

 

Just be aware of what's coming September of this year regarding drones and RemoteID. This has actually stopped me wanting to get a part107 as I doubt it would replace my day job anyway. While I've not looked into it much I'm pretty sure the requirements for part107 flights has killed the ability to build your own drone which is the aspect of the hobby I'm interested in. Then again depending on the shot some of the camera drones are pretty good choices for what's needed on paid gigs.

 

It’s not a terrible idea. I know some railroads are leaning into using drones for inspection of all kinds of stuff, so there is utility there and money to be made.


That said, I’d probably dig deeper into what he wants before picking anything out for him. An interest in tech is one thing, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into desire to be a pilot.

 

Hate to be discouraging but at a few companies the drone license is a secondary specialty. My company has an entire drone department, but they don't hire people off the street to pilot them. It's usually a junior geologist or mine engineer.

Most professional drone pilots I know have a GIS minor at minimum, major with BS or MS preferred.

 

recommend talking to the guy, going for a drive, having a one on one before assuming you know what would bring meaning into his life.
if youre going to buy him something, get him a ticket to go see Jordan B. Peterson.
this generation isn't just lazy, its deprived of meaning and depressed.
I would hope that a hobby would fix things, and hope you have a good relationship with him, but it's a complicated time we live in where young men are given so many mixed messages.
https://youtu.be/NfjpzlK0Du8
all the best mate

 

I have to echo that. My dad once said "I don't care what you do, but you have to do something. And sometimes it takes learning the hard way what you don't like before you figure out what you like. Now go to school or get the fuck out."

 

Thank you guys for the input. This generation is definitely different. Al though my 22 year old daughter has been doing really well now waiting to get into med school and my youngest son 15 year old seems to be heading in the same direction as my daughter. My middle one just seems stuck and has no direction. He has been a challenge to parent. Not a bad kid at all just not motivated. I been trying to find other things for him to get into thats why I was looking into this drone thing. Good info on here thanks!

 

An option: Army now has a UAS MOS. Including some National Guard units. Might open future doors to defense industry UAV careers especially if gaining a clearance.

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-...-aircraft/15w-unmanned-aircraft-operator.html

 

My girlfriend recently left teaching preschool, spent some time in welding school, and then landed a job unrelated to either (but includes elements of both) that she absolutely loves. The lesson I take from that is sometimes people just have to try things out, which really echos what @Rock Lobster was saying. Sitting at home won’t get him anywhere, but out doing something, even just for a while before moving on, is progress.

 

Yea he just needs to get out there and try different things. It is frustrating to see him not want to get out there. I need to be more firm with him as well. Part of the issue is me being too soft on him and letting things be. That was not the case with me when I was growing up. Thanks again guys

 

The surveyors I saw last week near the railroads were using drones. I ran into the guys up the road a bit later while I was going for a walk (we still have some parts of our neighborhood that are new development) and asked them a bit about it. They didn't have a lot to say but they showed me some of their stuff. I found it really interesting. They were not using drones for the neighborhood stuff though.