Hi, I'm Jake Bateman and flying drones has been a passion of mine since I was young. I was captivated by their unique perspectives and the freedom of flight, which allowed me to explore and capture the world from above in ways few other technologies could. What fascinates me most about drones is how far the technology has come, from small remote-controlled devices to advanced systems capable of capturing breathtaking footage and performing automated flights. I love seeing how drones keep improving, and I think it’s cool to be part of an industry that is constantly advancing. Over the past two years, I have started on my journey to turn this passion into a career, pushing myself to gain deeper knowledge and training. My first step in this journey was realizing that I needed a Part 107 Certificate, an FAA license that allows me to conduct commercial drone work legally. Earning this certificate wasn't easy and involved mastering complex subjects like airspace regulations, chart interpretation, understanding weather patterns, conducting pre-flight inspections, and following strict FAA guidelines for safe drone operation. For my high school senior project, I decided to tackle this challenge. After months of hard work and preparation, I took the test at Pocatello Regional Airport and earned my Certificate! My school awarded me the 'Capstone Award' for my senior project in recognition of its excellence. This experience not only strengthened my technical skills but also reinforced my determination to take on hard challenges. After high school, I started a small business offering drone photography for real estate and local events in my hometown of Idaho Falls. During this time, I also worked on a passion project to showcase the beauty of my community from a new perspective. I created a video reel featuring some of the town’s most iconic landmarks and spaces. To complete the project, I coordinated with building owners, event organizers, and city representatives to obtain the necessary permissions. The footage, created to promote my city and demonstrate my skills, was well-received by the community and gained popularity on social media. It was a great way to get my feet wet in the industry and get my name out there, but I knew I needed to improve my skills and learn more about the industry. That's when I found the Unmanned Aerial Systems program at Idaho State University. The program seemed like the perfect fit to help me level up, learn new techniques, and get advice on how to grow a career or business in drones. The Idaho State University Unmanned Aerial Systems course provides me with hands-on experience in infrastructure inspections, land surveying, construction mapping, aerial photography, industrial security, agriculture, and drone deliveries for various industries. This comprehensive training bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing students for real-world problem-solving. This training can enhance public safety, support environmental conservation, and drive technological innovation. Having the opportunity to learn and collaborate with like-minded students, access high-end equipment, and build a diverse portfolio are opportunities I look forward to, ultimately making a meaningful impact on society and the environment. In conclusion, my journey has been fueled by my passion for drones and a desire to contribute to my community. From earning my Part 107 Certificate to gaining hands-on experience, I’ve made progress toward building a future in this field. As I continue my education at Idaho State University, I’m excited to explore innovative ways to use drones to make a positive impact and improve lives.

Flying drones has been a passion of mine since I was young. I was captivated by their unique perspectives and the freedom of flight, which allowed me to explore and capture the world from above in ways few other technologies could. Over the past two years, I have started on my journey to turn this passion into a career, pushing myself to gain deeper knowledge and training. An achievement I am proud of is receiving my Part 107 Certificate, an FAA license that allows me to conduct commercial drone work legally. Earning this certificate wasn't easy and involved mastering complex subjects like airspace regulations, chart interpretation, understanding weather patterns, conducting pre-flight inspections, and following strict FAA guidelines for safe drone operation. For my high school senior project, I decided to tackle this challenge. After months of hard work and preparation, I took the test at Pocatello Regional Airport and earned my Certificate! My school awarded me the 'Capstone Award' for my senior project in recognition of its excellence. This experience not only strengthened my technical skills but also reinforced my determination to take on complex challenges. My ultimate career goal is to work as a commercial drone pilot. The Idaho State University Unmanned Aerial Systems course provides me with hands-on experience in infrastructure inspections, land surveying, construction mapping, industrial security, agriculture, and drone deliveries for various industries. This comprehensive training bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing students for real-world problem-solving. This training can enhance public safety, support environmental conservation, and drive technological innovation. Having the opportunity to learn and collaborate with like-minded students, access high-end equipment, and build a diverse portfolio are opportunities I look forward to, ultimately making a meaningful impact on society and the environment. I’m really excited about a project in my program where we’re working on a system to deliver supplies to hospitals by drone. The thought of participating in a project that could enable faster delivery of crucial medical supplies and medicine is inspiring. It’s incredible to think that something I’m helping to build could one day be responsible for ensuring that people get what they need in critical moments. Knowing that the projects do have a purpose and can make a real difference in various industries pushes me to keep striving for excellence. Being able to combine innovative technology with a meaningful mission reminds me why I chose this career to leverage my skills for the greater good and make a lasting impact.

Flying drones has been a passion of mine since I was young. I was captivated by their unique perspectives and the freedom of flight, which allowed me to explore and capture the world from above in ways few other technologies could. Over the past two years, I have started turning this passion into a career path by specializing in drone photography. This pursuit has driven me to diligently learn and refine essential skills such as photo and video editing, meticulous shoot planning, and executing them with precision and creativity. The joy of capturing the beauty of various locations, from landscapes to urban scenes, and crafting a final product that makes me think, “Wow, I did that!” continues to fuel my passion and commitment to this field. Each project is an opportunity to push my creative boundaries and challenge myself to improve. An achievement I am proud of is receiving my Part 107 Certificate, an FAA license that allows me to conduct commercial drone work legally. The journey to earning this certificate was no small feat; it involved mastering complex subjects like airspace regulations, chart interpretation, understanding weather patterns, conducting pre-flight inspections, and following strict FAA guidelines for safe drone operation. For my high school senior project, I decided to tackle this challenge. After months of hard work and preparation, I took the test at Pocatello Regional Airport and earned my Certificate! My school awarded me the 'Capstone Award' for my senior project in recognition of its excellence. My ultimate career goal is to work as a commercial drone pilot. The Idaho State University Unmanned Aerial Systems course would provide hands-on experience in wildfire surveillance, wildlife surveys, infrastructure inspections, industrial security, aerial photography, and drone deliveries for various industries. This training can enhance public safety, support environmental conservation, and drive technological innovation. Learning with like-minded students, accessing high-end equipment, and building a diverse portfolio are opportunities I look forward to, ultimately making a meaningful impact on society and the environment. I’m really excited about a project in my program where we’re working on a system to deliver supplies to hospitals by drone. The thought of participating in a project that could enable faster delivery of crucial medical supplies and medicine is inspiring. It’s amazing to think that something I’m helping to build could one day be responsible for ensuring that people get what they need in critical moments. Just knowing that this project has the potential to make a real difference in healthcare, and possibly even save lives, pushes me to keep striving for excellence. Being part of projects that combine innovative technology with a meaningful mission reminds me why I chose this career: to use my skills for the greater good and make an impact.