Evan Massey shoots for 20/20

               When Evan Massey started his drone business, American Drone Services, he didn’t expect that a year later he would be shooting drone footage for network television. Massey, age 24, was hired to provide the aerial shots in the region for prime-time television for the show 20/20 with Diane Sawyer.

                Massey’s readiness to accept this job is the result of his FAA drone flight training through Hazard Community and Technical College, and his additional hands-on flight experience at the USA Drone Port.  He credits HCTC and his father, Bart Massey, Executive Director of USA Drone Port, for his start in the drone business. In just a year’s time, Evan has been employed to gather images of cell phone towers, create real estate and wedding videos, and capture aerial video for WYMT-TV and survey work.

                When the network contacted the college, Academic Dean Dr. Ella Strong immediately contacted the USA Drone Port for its recommendations; one of the services the USA Drone Port provides is maintaining a list of qualified drone pilots and networking these trained individuals with businesses and HCTC’s resources.  The USA Drone Port’s Executive Director proceeded to contact pilots to see who were in the region and available to work. Evan was available and he accepted the position. 

                Massey served four years with the U.S. Navy and is now in the reserves. The 2013 Perry County Central High School graduate is enrolled at HCTC, with future plans to expand his drone business.

                He encourages others to pursue enrollment in the HCTC classes. “There are not many FAA qualified people. They are in high demand and HCTC can lead others to also have their own business,” he said.

            Dr. Strong noted, “There are so many employment opportunities in the unmanned system fields and we are just on the tip of the iceberg. This field continues to grow and the ways in which drones can be used increase daily. Evan is a dedicated student. He will be successful in his business and I am so glad I was able to assist in making the necessary connections so Evan had this unique opportunity.”

            Enrollment for HCTC is underway now for Unmanned System Technology classes which begin Sept. 16.