Matt Stokes has spent nearly 10 years building his skills in uncrewed aviation. He began in the Australian Army and now supports drone operations as a senior base pilot for Toll Group.
‘I started flying drones with the Army back in 2015,’ Matt says. ‘I operated the Shadow 200 and later the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter. That early experience with large, high-performance drones gave me a strong base in complex, real-world environments.’
After leaving the Army in 2020, Matt moved to the civilian drone sector. He joined AirGeoX, where he worked on drone-based geo-exploration. He later became an instructor with UAV Training Australia. When Toll bought the training organisation, Matt became a senior base pilot. He now works with Toll leading uncrewed systems operations and provides consulting support to clients on drone projects and approvals.
‘At Toll, I started training people for their remote pilot licence (RePL), with a focus on powered-lift systems,’ Matt explains. ‘I continue to support training, oversee international operations and make sure Toll’s drone activities follow all regulatory requirements. As part of my role, I also consult with clients on complex projects, including gaining approvals for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.’’
Matt says safety is always the top priority.
‘Our approach to BVLOS is built on strong planning and risk assessments. We rehearse each mission and do test flights in new areas. Safety is front and centre in everything we do.’
Matt holds a remote pilot licence (RePL) for multirotor, powered-lift, aeroplane and helicopter drones up to 25 kg. He is endorsed to fly medium-sized drones, such as the Shield AI V-Bat and Carbonix Ottano. He also holds an aeronautical radio operator certificate (AROC) and has completed training for operations in controlled airspace.
One of his proudest moments was launching a Shield AI V-Bat drone from a decommissioned Navy patrol boat. He is one of only 2 operators in Australia and the first to launch from a boat.
‘I’ve had a few career highlights, but that maritime launch really stood out. It showed what the tech could do and how far we’ve come in uncrewed flight.’
Matt’s work also helps people on the ground. He supported a drone trial with NSW Ambulance to help critical medical support. The drones also assisted with search and rescue operations when helicopters could not be used.
‘It’s great to see drones filling these gaps and helping save lives. They’re not just flying cameras. They’re real tools that can make a big difference.’
Matt’s advice for other drone flyers?
‘Learn the drone safety rules and understand why they matter. Safety is not just a task on a list. It helps protect people and keeps complex operations going. Keep learning. Ask questions. And work with others. It makes flying safer and better for everyone.’
For Matt, drones bring together innovation, service and safety.
‘This is a great time to be in the field. I’m proud to help the sector grow and to support safer, smarter drone use every day.’
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