Pilot Story: James Morgan

20 March 2024

In the heart of Orlando, Florida, I discovered my fascination with the skies. Growing up amidst the city’s vibrant atmosphere, I found myself captivated by the idea of exploring the world from a different perspective. As a kid, I spent a lot of time exploring the vast expanse of Florida’s outdoors. From the pristine beaches along the Atlantic coast to the lush greenery of the Everglades down in south Florida, I’ve always been captivated by the diverse terrain my home state has to offer.

In high school, I had my first taste of media and video editing, because I took two years of TV production. But even with that, I still knew that I wanted to work in aviation. That’s what I ended up going to college for, and that’s when I first discovered the UAS industry.

At that point, the only types of drones I knew about were military ones. I didn’t pick that major, but it always was a small thought in the back of my mind.

I was born in the '90s, so I grew up with the Internet—maybe not as tech savvy as the kids growing up today, but I was a tech enthusiast, nonetheless. As a kid, I always had a fascination with airplanes and cars. Every year during Thanksgiving time, my dad would take me to the new car convention so I would see the new tech at the time in cars.

Fast forward to now.

Two of my friends from college that majored in UAS, and have been working in the industry for years, would talk about some of the stuff they were doing. They were teaching young kids about drones, inspecting cell towers, and working with big companies such as Walmart and others. One of my talks with them really ignited my interest in drones.

Motivated by this realization, I began to explore the requirements and certifications needed to operate drones professionally. I discovered the world of sUAS pilots and the expanding opportunities in fields like aerial photography, surveying, and environmental monitoring. Recognizing this could be my gateway to another part of aviation, as well, I decided to pursue the necessary certifications to become a licensed drone pilot.

I was also ready to purchase a drone. Researching online and going through YouTube videos, I learned about different brands. The one that seemed to have the most positive reviews was DJI, and I decided the Mini 3 was going to be a good starting point. Luckily, Amazon Prime Day was not too far away, and I waited till then to purchase. Maybe it was fate or luck, but I was good with it.

Shortly after purchasing the Mini 3 and an extra battery, I completed the TRUST course and started to practice with the drone. After a month of flying nad practicing, I decided I wanted to get my Part 107 license—the key to unlocking a world of opportunities in the drone industry.

I purchased a course so I wouldn’t miss any topics. With my background in aviation—which proved to be advantageous—the course helped me further grasp the technical aspects of drone operation.

After a good amount of flying and with my Part 107 in hand, I started to make videos around popular landmarks, nature sites, and other miscellaneous things to build a portfolio and show what I was able to do. I was getting better and better.

I soon decided I should go through the process of creating my business, HorizonScope Solutions, because I began to feel like I could make something of this—even if it was just something on the side. In the beginning, you never know when the time will come when preparation meets opportunity.

But as I was going through the process, I was thinking to myself, "This is crazy!" I never thought I would start and create my own business. I never had the confidence to do it, or had discovered an idea or concept I could believe in.

The first job I got was great timing, as it was for my friend's bachelor party in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I was able to get great shots and videos of some of the events we participated in. This was very fun, but nerve wracking, because, of course, you want all the shots and videos to be perfect.

But spending the time capturing and editing everything showed me that I really enjoyed this, and I was going in the right direction.

Understanding the competitive nature of the field, I have been crafting a compelling portfolio showcasing my newly learned aerial photography and videography. I try to highlight the versatility of my drone work, demonstrating applications in real estate, land surveying, and environmental monitoring. I hope my portfolio not only showcases my technical proficiency in piloting drones, but also reflects an artistic eye for capturing stunning visuals.

Beyond technical skills, I possess excellent communication and teamwork abilities. Experience collaborating with diverse teams during my aviation projects has honed my interpersonal skills, making me a candidate for collaborative projects that demand seamless coordination between ground and aerial teams.

I would love to connect with other pilots in my area and around the world—just to pick their brains and learn as much as I can about their own experiences. One day, a YouTube video by Timmothy Brazzel came across my feed. It was very informative, as he answered a lot of questions I had. Watching Timothy's video was also how I found out about The Droning Company.

I decided to sign up. To my surprise, I was contacted by The Droning Company founder and CEO, Stuart Smith. I was very impressed and I knew this was going to be a great decision for me.

I want to thank Stuart and everyone else that is part of The Droning Company for giving us this platform for information, as well as a spotlight that shines on all of us.