A Day in The Field: Brandon Thomas
Role: Drone Pilot
Focus: Operations – RoBird™
What does a drone pilot’s day actually look like?
For Brandon Thomas, there isn’t one standard answer. One week might mean testing new systems at the City of Calgary Drone site, another week flying RoBird™ in orchards halfway across the world.
In this chapter of our Day in the field series, Brandon shares what field operations really involve, the drone he relies on most, and a remarkable moment in Australia that stands out in his career.
Picture 1: Drone Pilot Brandon Thomas performing field demonstrations with RoBird™ down in Australia.
Q: Brandon, walk us through a typical day in your role.
What’s super interesting about my role is I have no typical days. Every day is different, and I never know what I may expect.
A day in the field can range from doing QA or R&D at the City of Calgary Drone site; visiting airports to do runway scans; or even opportunities to do demos, training in different regions such as Australia or the US.
No 2 days are the same and there is always something new to experience.
Q: What drones do you rely on most?
The past year has mainly been centered around Agriculture, I personally rely on the RoBird and most recently the Fixed Wing for my field operations. The RoBird™ has been central to those operations, and adding the Fixed Wing has expanded what we’re able to do across larger areas and different types of sites.
Learn more about the RoBird™ Fixed-Wing here
Picture 2: Brandon performing adjustments to RoBird™ Flapping-Wing before flight.
Q: Why do you think clients trust AERIUM with this kind of work?
I believe we lead the drone industry with integrity and strive to continue improving our products to reflect our customers’ needs. That means listening closely to feedback from the field, adapting our technology based on real operational challenges, and making sure what we deliver performs the way our clients expect it to.
Q: Favorite moment in the field?
My most memorable moment in the field was my final flight during my first visit to Australia. It was the last day of operations, and in front of me was the most stunning Australian sunset.
It was a significant flight because right after, I would be packing up and heading home after a month abroad. Flying the RoBird™ against warm orange tones, with a rainstorm stretching across half the sky, was one of the most standout moments of my career so far, a powerful way to close that chapter.
Learn more about Drone-Enabled Bird Management for Australian Horticulture
Why RoBird™ Matters for RPAS Operations
For wildlife management, safety, and sustainability, RoBird™ offers a non-lethal and ecologically responsible approach to deterring birds. Its success reflects AERIUM’s commitment to innovation and precision in RPAS operations.
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