Chief Drone Pilot
Jorden Pontin is a Chief Remote Pilot of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and arborist. During an arboricultural career of more than 20 years, he has provided scoping services to Councils, vegetation management for the Power sector including renewables and habitat creation, and training to both government and private sectors. In recent years, Jorden pioneered innovative use of drone technology and digital imagery along with software analytics to augment his arboriculture expertise, extending his skill base into environmental analysis and management.
Holding the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Remote Operating Certificate (ReOC), allows Jorden to apply for specialist approvals. These grant permission to fly in highly regulated zones, requiring proven specialist skills and knowledge. Jorden has also achieved the AVI30316 Certificate III in Aviation, the highest qualification available, allowing him to fly up to a 25kg multirotor (RPA). Jorden also holds the aeronautical radio operators’ certificate and has extensive knowledge of RPA systems and their payloads.
Recent environmental projects have included: koala location post the 2019/2020 NSW bush fires, developing photogrammetry methods for vegetation management, delivering data for multi-spectral scans to determine plant health at the Royal Sydney Golf Course, developing site surveys and three-dimensional models for vegetation management, and construction & development. Jorden is currently a lecturer at TAFE, NSW, also a guest lecturer at Capel Manor, Horticultural College, London, UK, on the use of drones in the horticultural and arboricultural settings.