Trevor Wischnewsky is part of a growing team of 'remote pilot in command' (RPIC) air traffic controllers who ensure the safe and efficient delivery of goods by drone in Dallas, Texas. This role is crucial as the skies above become increasingly crowded with delivery drones from companies such as Zipline, Amazon, and Alphabet's Wing.

Wischnewsky's journey into this role began with a fascination for drone delivery. He already held a commercial pilot and flight instructor certificate and had completed a weeks-long FAA-approved training course, ensuring he was fully prepared to monitor operations. His role now involves monitoring drones from the operations center, relying on GPS, lasers, and a range of sensors to keep an eye on the skies.

The biggest challenge for the RPIC is the need to trust the technology, especially as the Dallas–Fort Worth area is a testing ground for unmanned aircraft systems traffic management (UTM). UTM allows the real-time sharing of drone coordinates to avoid collisions, even beyond the pilot's line of sight. This technology has made the role more manageable, but it still requires a keen eye and a cool head, especially when dealing with unpredictable weather conditions.

As the world moves towards more drone deliveries, roles like RPIC are becoming increasingly important. The future of air traffic control is here, and it's not just about planes anymore.