At the Sandy City Balloon Festival this year, the big surprise wasn't the hot air balloons (although they were spectacular). The real showstopper came at the end: a precision drone light show by Open Sky that had us thinking about the future of aviation — and the future of business opportunities for pilots and UAV consultants.

We got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the setup, takeoff, and landing. Ashlyn, Devin, and the Open Sky team answered questions from curious kids, fascinated adults, and — of course — us. We left impressed, not just by the art in the sky, but by the business potential behind this technology.

And if you're a pilot looking for side business ideas, or a UAV consultant searching for fresh marketing ideas, there's a lot here for you.

Why Drones Are a Growing Opportunity for Pilots

Many airline pilots and general aviation professionals are looking for second income ideas and side hustles that keep them connected to aviation. Drones — or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) — are a natural fit.

Unlike traditional aviation, drones require less capital to start, have lower operating costs, and can be flown in markets where manned aircraft aren't practical. That opens doors for:

  • Aerial videography for events (including shows like the one we attended)

  • Real estate photography

  • Agricultural mapping and crop health monitoring

  • Land management and environmental surveys

  • Security and infrastructure inspections

Our client Farm Spray Drones in Alberta is a great example. Led by Robert Pilling, they help farming communities replace heavy, expensive sprayers with cost-effective spray drones — reducing crop damage, lowering chemical and fuel costs, and handling terrain that ground equipment can't reach.

Another ABCI client, Empire Unmanned, is a leader in UAV operations for precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, mapping, and more — serving clients across the western United States with professional-grade UAV services.

Best Drone Business Ideas for 2025 (and Beyond)

If you're thinking about side gigs for airline pilots or drone business ideas, here are some of the most in-demand areas right now:

  1. Drone Light Shows – As fireworks face environmental and safety restrictions, drone shows are a clean, reusable alternative.

  2. Agricultural UAV Services – Crop surveys, spraying, and pest monitoring.

  3. Real Estate Marketing – Aerial videos and property tours.

  4. Infrastructure Inspection – Bridges, towers, pipelines, and solar farms.

  5. Emergency Services Support – Search and rescue, disaster assessment.

Marketing Ideas for UAV Consultants and Drone Businesses

Launching a drone business is one thing — selling those services is another. Here are proven UAV marketing strategies:

  • Create short promo videos showing the before-and-after value of your services.

  • Use LinkedIn content marketing to connect with industries that need aerial data.

  • Offer free educational webinars for your target market (e.g., "How to Improve Crop Yields with UAV Technology").

  • Build a website that clearly explains services, pricing, and turnaround times — and keep it optimized for local search.

  • Partner with complementary businesses, like real estate agents, event planners, or agricultural suppliers.

If you're stuck for promo video ideas for UAV consultants, think about telling a story — not just showing the flight. Include the problem, the UAV solution, and the result.

How to Start a UAV Business the Right Way

Many new UAV entrepreneurs skip the business plan stage. Don't. A drone business plan outline should include:

  1. Target market – Who you serve and why they need UAV services.

  2. Services offered – Clear, profitable offerings.

  3. Pricing strategy – Based on value, not just flight time.

  4. Marketing plan – Including online ads, social media, and networking.

  5. Compliance and insurance – Meeting all FAA or local requirements.

The Takeaway from the Balloon Festival

The Sandy City Balloon Festival was a reminder that aviation is bigger than one type of aircraft. We saw drones being used for public safety by the Sandy City Police, for artistic expression by Open Sky, and for business innovation in countless industries.

If you're a pilot looking for side business ideas or a UAV consultant ready to grow, now is the time to explore the potential of drones.

And if you want help with marketing for drones, marketing ideas for UAVs, or creating promo videos for UAV services, our team at ABCI works with successful UAV companies like Farm Spray Drones and Empire Unmanned. We specialize in helping aviation businesses — manned or unmanned — sell more of their products and services.