Sky Is The Limit For Louisiana’s Drone Industry

I have always loved flying radio controlled airplanes and helicopters. Imagine how thrilled I was when they started making cameras that were small enough and light enough to fit inside this model aircraft. This same technology that was once considered a novelty of the toy industry has turned into big business around the world and especially in Louisiana.

It is estimated that next year unmanned drones will generate almost $213 million dollars in economic impact in our state. That's according to Michael Toscano President of the  Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. Toscano says drones are becoming a big part of how people do their jobs in the state.

"The agriculture and farming, oil and gas, the movie industry and public safety,"

The unique birds eye view perspective a drone can give a farmer or utility crew allows for a faster and more economical way to gather information. Farmers can use drones to check on crops or livestock. Utility crews can use drones to inspect wires or pipes.

"So if you look at it, its just a tool, as just an additional capability that allows men and women, that know how to do their job, do it in a much more efficient way,"

Toscano speculates that as many as 1,000 jobs could be created over the next three years in relation to the fast rising industry of unmanned aircraft. When you consider the kind of jobs we do in Louisiana and the sometimes hard to travel terrain a bird's eye view might be the easiest way after all.