Eyes in the sky

The world's biggest drone manufacturer is the Shenzhen-based Da-Jiang Innovations Science & Technology Co, which is marketed as DJI. For those wishing to get an initial taste of the drone experience, DJI's flagship store in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay has its own flying area for demonstrations.

On an amateur level, drones are mainly used for shooting photos and video and in the fast-growing sport of drone racing. Equipped with FPV (first-person view) goggles, drone racers have a virtual-reality view of the course as it flashes toward them.

"This is on a Formula One level in terms of reaction times," says Cox.

"The top racers have usually acquired their skills from gaming, and many are in the 15 to 17 age group, with super lightning reflexes."

Drone racing has moved far beyond its origins as a bit of fun with some friends over an improvised course. The inaugural million-US-dollar World Drone Prix was held in Dubai in 2016 and the winner, 15-year-old Luke Bannister from the UK, finished at the top of a field of 150 racers to scoop the first prize of $250,000. Racers flew their drones around a spectacular nighttime circuit made up of illuminated hoops, and spectators watched on big screens or followed the action up close with their own FPV goggles. For the overall effect, think F1 meets Star Wars.

On a professional level, drones are being used for everything from crop spraying to surveying rail lines and construction sites, and to search and rescue. Their uses are almost limitless.

You're a developer building a luxury apartment block and want to show potential buyers the view? Then send a drone up to where the 40th floor will be and beam the images straight back to your mobile phone. Drones are also being increasingly used in journalism and have captured powerful images of natural disasters and conflict zones.

Cox says taking out insurance is a must and it is essential to check on local regulations if you are traveling with a drone. Many countries have strict rules over where you can fly them, including bans on going airborne anywhere near sensitive military or other strategic locations.

The UAVAir course, which will be run out of Hong Kong's Discovery Bay, is aimed at professional users and is being launched with the approval of the SAR's authorities. The company is also launching an online course for recreational users that will be tailor-made to the particular challenges of flying in high-density Hong Kong.

Looking to the future, online retailers like Amazon have been touting the possibility of delivering goods using drones, but Cox says that is still some way off. "We could see drones being used to deliver blood or other urgent medical supplies across a congested city, which could be a lifesaving thing of incredible value," he says. "But don't hold your breath on getting a pizza delivered by a drone any time soon-the old-fashioned motorbike still looks like the cheapest and simplest solution for now."