For our most recent delve into the entrepreneurial stories behind South Yorkshire businesses, unLTD caught up with Jim Ixer, founder of Drone Pilot Academy, to discuss leaving the RAF and setting up his own commercial drone company.
After spending 17 years as air crew on helicopters, when the time came to leave the Royal Air Force, Jim Ixer began thinking about working for himself. During resettlement training, a chance meeting with someone using drones for wedding photography prompted Jim to start researching the drone industry in more depth. Realising how much commercial potential there was in the sector, he ordered a drone and eventually set up the Drone Pilot Academy…
Before setting up your first drone company, Helishots, you had to take a training course in order to be allowed to fly drones commercially. Tell us about that experience and what it led to?
I was lucky that the RAF paid for the majority of the course through my resettlement training. I expected to learn how to fly drones and get the most out of them. But the course ended up being three days of theory, much of which I already knew from my Air Force days. I came away deciding to set up my own academy to deliver courses which covered both theoretical and practical skills.
Before you could do that, you needed to get Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval, which required 12 months’ operating experience. Can you tell us a bit about your experiences with Helishots in that period?
When I first started Helishots, I had a mortgage to pay and didn’t know where the money was going to come from. I went to networking events and used social media to try and grow the business. I ended up doing lots of drone survey work. This included mapping huge quarries to help with volumetric studies, and roof inspections on high rise buildings.
You now run the Drone Pilot Academy. What do you offer?
Our main business is now training, although we do provide drone sales too. During courses, our trainers will add value with business tips and advice. If someone has an idea, we’ll talk about its feasibility and give practical insights.
You’re now located in The Business Village. Why did you choose that location?
Our business model means we run courses in hotels around the UK. But we also wanted a spacious, open plan office where people can visit for meetings. Being in The Business Village means we can either book meeting rooms or meet people for lunch in the bistro.
How have the team running The Business Village benefitted the business?
The management team are very proactive. They’ll often share relevant opportunities such as potential grant support. We also know that we can expand here as we grow. If we need more office space, we can move within The Business Village without too much hassle.
Your courses run down the spine of the UK, covering Milton Keynes, Barnsley, and Motherwell, with courses also take place in Northern Ireland and Bristol. What’s next for the business?
My ambition for the future of Drone Pilot Academy is more of the same and to increase sales. We’re also considering expanding our sales team and bringing marketing in-house. Our online drone sales haven’t been a big focus to date, so this will be something we’ll expand in the coming years.
Get in touch with Drone Pilot Academy here.
