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UK electronics retailer Maplin has opened a ‘drone academy’ to train its staff to become experts in flying the remote control copters.
The retailer is training a team of novice ‘droners’ to fly the DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Quadcopter Drone.
The first droners, who are based in Rotherham at Maplin’s head office, have been receiving specialist training from the retailer’s drone expert Russell Stephens.
Stephens has been teaching the group how to capture video footage and to fly drones safely, within the CAA guidelines.
Last year, Maplin sold more than 10,000 drones and says the product was a "must-have Christmas gift".
Henry Swift, Brand Communications Director from Maplin said: “Since we’ve started selling drones they’ve been flying off the shelves.
"We believe that Maplineers should be experts in their field, so we’ve literally taken them out of the store and onto the field.
“As well as promoting responsible drone flying, we want to help customers get the most out of this thrilling hobby, so we can offer advice on proper techniques as well as teaching some stunts.”
Maplin is now stocking the Parrot Bebop Drone with Skycontroller (£699.99) and the Blade Chroma Quadcopter Drone (£1099.99). They are designed to be simple to use and able to capture aerial videos and photos.
With the emergence of UK drone racing, the devices are certainly looking like they’re becoming more popular.
