The third installment of Jinniu Town's 2026 drone pilot training program for the year officially commenced on August 29 at Sangyuan Community. This public welfare initiative provides free, skill-based instruction to eligible groups, including new graduates from Bichuan County who have not yet pursued further education, rural workers transitioning to other employment, registered urban unemployed individuals, those facing employment difficulties, returning unemployed residents, and veterans. By aligning new skill development with the expanding demands of the low-altitude economy, the program aims to create fresh pathways for urban and rural workers to secure skilled jobs and boost their incomes.
The training is jointly organized by the Bichuan County Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and the Jinniu Town People's Government, with instruction delivered by Kunming Zhiyang Vocational Skills Training School. Tailored to local industrial needs and employment realities, the curriculum closely follows national vocational standards and drone pilot certification requirements. It centers on practical applications such as agricultural plant protection, cargo lifting, logistics delivery, and aerial photography for tourism. Combining theoretical instruction with simulated and hands-on flight exercises, the course seeks to fill gaps in local specialized talent, support stable employment, and provide robust human resource backing for the high-quality growth of both the low-altitude and broader real economies.
Du Wanchun, a villager from Qiaodian Town, shared his motivation: "I've always been fascinated by drones. While working away from home, I saw many aerial videos and drone-based crop protection operations. After returning, I noticed a significant shortage of drone services for farming here, and I wanted to get involved. When I learned about this free training opportunity through the community, I signed up right away. My plan is to start a drone business focusing on agricultural spraying or aerial videography once I complete the course."
The 15-day program incorporates a wide range of practical exercises, including simulator training, real aircraft operation, flight path planning, and emergency fault response drills. This helps participants build a solid understanding of drone systems and master standardized flight techniques. In the classroom, instructors cover the history of drone development, equipment structure, aviation regulations, and weather-related flight safety. Out on the training field, the atmosphere is highly engaged; students closely observe demonstrations, then practice basic maneuvers like hovering, lateral movement, and circular flight using the controllers. Whenever they encounter unstable flight or signal interference, they quickly gather around the instructors for guidance and exchange tips with fellow trainees.
Li Feng'e, from Nacun of Daying Town, expressed her outlook: "I believe the low-altitude economy has a bright future. Previously, I traveled to Kunming and contacted the CAAC drone training school there. I was overjoyed when I received my license from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Now, I'm here to sharpen my skills in aerial photography and cargo lifting, which are less common in agriculture. I want to specialize in these areas. This way, I can capture travel memories through aerial footage and also take on lifting jobs wherever they're needed."
The Sangyuan Community drone training initiative brings professional skill development directly to residents' doorsteps, enabling them to acquire flight expertise and build career readiness without leaving their neighborhood. It empowers individuals to actively seize opportunities within the growing low-altitude economy and aim to become highly skilled, professional drone operators. In the first two sessions held earlier in 2026, 93 out of 120 enrolled participants passed the assessments and received vocational skill certificates, laying a solid foundation for local workers to gain employment with recognized credentials.