While many travelers relaxed during the Chinese mainland's National Day holiday, Shanghai's aviation academies were buzzing with a different kind of getaway: drone pilot training.
With the government's push to develop a low-altitude economy, the race to fly legally at low heights is on. Hobbyists and future pros are scrambling to secure non-commercial drone licenses, a must for anyone wanting to operate a drone beyond mere play.
Numbers show why this trend matters. There are an estimated 1.9 million registered drones in the Chinese mainland, but only 225,000 licensed pilots. That gap highlights a rapidly growing market for trained operators—from aerial photography entrepreneurs to logistics and agriculture tech startups.
Experts say this boom isn't just local. As G20 members explore airborne solutions—from package delivery in urban centers to environmental monitoring—the Chinese mainland model offers a blueprint for other markets eager to unlock low-altitude skies.
For young digital nomads, tech innovators, and sustainability advocates, mastering drone flight can open doors. Think precision farming in rural provinces, live-streamed cultural events from new angles, or emergency aid delivered to remote areas. The low-altitude economy's impact ripples across industries, fueling jobs, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.
As the licenses roll out, expect to see a wave of new drone operators taking to the skies, blending creativity, commerce, and cutting-edge tech to reshape how we see—and move—through the world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
