In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, Chris dives into the current state of play with DJI drones in the U.S. — from the impact of the 2025 NDAA to the inconsistent enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Drawing on years of experience in drone distribution, Chris shares behind-the-scenes insights on customs delays, shipment inconsistencies, and what this could mean for drone buyers, businesses, and hobbyists alike. We’ll cover: -Why DJI shipments have been unpredictabl...
Aug 14, 2025•13 min•Ep. 117
In this episode, David teams up with licensed land surveyor and aerial mapping expert Michael Detwiler to break down how to assess the accuracy of your drone mapping projects—step by step. Using real-world data from two WingtraOne Gen II drone flights (including a park survey and an orange grove redevelopment), they review: -How to interpret accuracy reports from Wingtra and Pix4D -What RMS error means in practice—and why it matters -How many GCPs and checkpoints you really need -Common pitfalls...
Aug 07, 2025•30 min•Ep. 116
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, host Chris Breedlove welcomes Troy Walton and Susan Cohen from the Carolina Drone Lab at UNC Chapel Hill to explore the complex realities of using drones for natural resources and environmental management. Topics include: Navigating drone regulations and approval chains on military bases Adapting to shifting drone compliance lists (Blue List, Green List, NDAA rules) Tool selection challenges and the rising cost of specialized equipment Interdisci...
Jul 31, 2025•23 min•Ep. 115
How does Crew Resource Management (CRM) — a core aviation principle — apply to drone teams in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry? In this episode, host Chris Breedlove welcomes Aaron Varnau from WithersRavenel to explore the real-world application of CRM in daily drone operations. Aaron shares his journey from studying Unmanned Aerial Systems at Purdue to coordinating remote sensing crews. He breaks down how CRM helps teams: -Avoid costly mistakes through clear roles ...
Jul 24, 2025•16 min•Ep. 114
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove talks with Josh Matheson from Duke University’s Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab. They explore how affordable, off-the-shelf drones like the DJI Phantom and Mavic series are being used in groundbreaking science—from tracking elephant health in Zambia, to monitoring shark behavior with AI, to modeling oyster reefs and 3D mapping seals and whales. Josh shares real-world stories of students and researchers using consumer ...
Jul 17, 2025•24 min•Ep. 113
Discover how lightweight drones like the DJI Mini series are revolutionizing spatial AI and creating unprecedented opportunities for drone pilots worldwide! 🎯 What You'll Learn: Why sub-250g drones are the secret weapon for urban mapping How Spexi's standardized drone network has captured 3.5+ million acres The regulatory advantages of micro drones in different countries Real-world applications from emergency response to gaming/metaverse How drone pilots are earning $300-600+ per day contributi...
Jul 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 112
Join host Chris Breedlove as he welcomes back Calvin Rikard, public safety specialist at Duncan -Parnell and former South Carolina Highway Patrol collision reconstruction expert, for a critical discussion about ground control points (GCPs) in drone surveying and documentation. What You'll Learn: ✅ The shocking reality of how inaccurate drone data can be WITHOUT ground control points ✅ Real case studies from major incident investigations (including a train crash and fatal collision) ✅ The differe...
Jul 03, 2025•21 min•Ep. 111
Ever wondered how drones are transforming the way we inspect bridges? In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Dr. Joe Burgett from Clemson University to explore the role of drone technology in bridge inspection. What You'll Learn: ✅ Why bridge inspections are federally mandated and critical for public safety ✅ The difference between routine inspections and detailed inspections ✅ How drones eliminate the need for dangerous "Snooper trucks" and keep in...
Jun 26, 2025•22 min•Ep. 110
Join host Chris Breedlove as he explores how drones are revolutionizing coastal environmental monitoring in Maine with Will Kochitzky, Assistant Professor at the University of New England. Key Topics Covered: Centimeter-scale mapping accuracy for coastal change detection Pre and post-storm documentation for FEMA applications Maine's proactive sea level rise legislation (1.5 feet by 2050, 3.9 feet by 2100) Equipment recommendations: DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise with RTK for photogrammetry Inspired Flig...
Jun 19, 2025•18 min•Ep. 109
Two major drone executive orders signed June 6th - here's what drone pilots need to know! Chris Breedlove & David Young break down "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" and "Unleashing American Drone Dominance" - including the big BVLOS timeline that could change everything. KEY POINTS: BVLOS operations: 30 days for proposed rules, 240 days final Stricter enforcement on unlicensed operators Supply chain security vs Chinese drones Should you still buy DJI equipment? New support for Americ...
Jun 12, 2025•21 min•Ep. 108
The US drone industry is facing its biggest challenge yet. Shipping delays have tripled, orders are becoming $90K gambles, and some overseas suppliers have stopped shipping to America entirely. If you're an FPV pilot, drone racer, or run educational drone programs, this affects YOU directly. 🔥 WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: Why your drone orders are taking 3-4 weeks instead of 1 week The "tariff gamble" - how a $30K order can become $90K overnight Which drone components are most at risk (spoil...
Jun 05, 2025•15 min•Ep. 107
Welcome to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations with Kyle Miller, Director of Sales at Censys Technologies. Key Topics Covered: Definition and practical applications of BVLOS operations Census Technologies' approach to long-range drone missions Common mistakes in waiver applications and how to avoid them The role of detect-and-avoid technology in BVLOS operations Shielded operations and in...
May 29, 2025•21 min•Ep. 106
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered , host Chris Breedlove sits down with Matt Nanney from AECOM to explore real-world examples of complex drone operations and how to effectively manage their unique challenges. Matt shares valuable insights from his 16+ years of experience, covering a wide range of advanced drone missions—from post-hurricane damage assessments and rare species habitat mapping to large-scale corridor projects and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations. Learn...
May 22, 2025•20 min•Ep. 105
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, Chris from Drone Launch Academy breaks down the key PC specifications you should consider for handling data-intensive photogrammetry and LiDAR processing tasks. Whether you’re using software like Pix4D, DJI Terra, Trimble Business Center, or LP360, this video highlights the general hardware requirements most of these programs share—including: RAM recommendations (32GB minimum, 64GB+ ideal for heavy workloads) CPU considerations (newer Intel i7/i...
May 15, 2025•9 min•Ep. 104
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered," host Chris Breedlove welcomes Eric Harkins from Back Forty Aerial Solutions to discuss best practices for target placement in both LiDAR and photogrammetric drone mapping missions. Eric shares his extensive experience in aerial mapping and provides valuable insights on: The difference between ground control points (GCPs) and check shots Strategic placement of targets based on project size and terrain Target size considerations based on flight ...
May 08, 2025•19 min•Ep. 103
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered," host Chris Breedlove interviews Shawn Barry from Oak Island about how drones are transforming ocean rescue operations. As Oak Island's full-time drone operator for public safety, Shawn shares groundbreaking insights on: How drones deploy personal flotation devices (PFDs) to distressed swimmers in HALF the time of traditional rescue methods Real-world success stories, including 17 ocean rescues and 7 PFD deployments in 2024 alone The innovative ...
May 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 102
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered," we tackle the question: What are the different RTK correction methods for drone mapping missions, and when should you use each one? We explore the differences between Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Post-Process Kinematic (PPK) workflows, breaking down how these technologies improve GNSS accuracy for professional drone mapping. In this video, you'll learn: -The fundamental differences between RTK and PPK -Network-based vs. local base station cor...
Apr 24, 2025•16 min•Ep. 101
Welcome back to Your Drone Questions. Answered. In this episode, we're diving into the exciting world of tethered drones —how they're being used today and where they're headed in the future. We cover: What tethered drones are and how they differ from traditional UAVs Legal and regulatory considerations in the U.S. as of Q1 2025 The main benefits of tethering (continuous power, data streaming, mobility) Real-world use cases: public safety, temporary security, event coverage, and broadcast Freefly...
Apr 10, 2025•16 min•Ep. 100
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered. Today we are answering the question 👉 "What equipment do I need to start drone mapping?" Or more specifically… "What drone should I buy for mapping?" In this episode, we cover: 🚁 Key drone features for mapping (automated missions, mechanical shutter, RTK/PPK compatibility) 🧠 What to consider if you're using consumer-grade drones like the Mini 4 Pro 📸 Sensor types, resolution, and why they matter for mapping quality 🌐 Choosin...
Apr 03, 2025•16 min•Ep. 99
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered," host Chris Breedlove and special guest Hansel Brand discuss the essential best practices for drone pilots operating near airports. Learn about: The importance of communicating with airport managers Recommended safety distances from airports Understanding airport traffic patterns Using CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) Handling helicopter encounters The value of visual observers when flying near busy airports...
Mar 20, 2025•14 min•Ep. 98
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove provides a follow-up to last week's interview with Ravi Suneja about the ASPRS positional accuracy standards. Chris walks through a real-world example of calculating vertical positional accuracy using actual drone data from a community college campus. Learn how to: -Understand the components of the ASPRS 2024 vertical accuracy standard See how product fit to checkpoints is measured in practice --Observe the importance of hav...
Mar 13, 2025•9 min•Ep. 97
🚁 Drone Mapping Standards Explained: What Every Aerial Mapper Needs to Know! In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Ravi Soneja to dive deep into the critical world of industry accuracy standards for drone-derived mapping products. Key Highlights: Discover the latest 2024 ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards updates Learn the difference between ground control and checkpoints Understand vertical accuracy reporting for drone mapping projects Get insi...
Mar 06, 2025•17 min•Ep. 96
Join host Chris Breedlove as he interviews Eric Richard from Drone Sports, Inc. to explore the fast-growing world of drone soccer - an action-packed, educational sport combining STEM skills with competitive gameplay! In this episode, you'll discover: What drone soccer is and how it's played (think Quidditch with drones!) How this innovative program teaches students technical skills while developing crucial teamwork abilities The accessible, plug-and-play design that lets students build, program,...
Feb 27, 2025•17 min•Ep. 95
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove interviews Craig Haire from Neptune Turf Solutions and Aerial Drone Dynamics about the emerging use of spray drones for golf course maintenance. Craig shares his journey from golf course superintendent to specialized spray contractor, and discusses how drone technology is revolutionizing turf management. Learn about: The practical applications of spray drones on golf courses Safety benefits of drone spraying versus tradition...
Feb 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 94
Join host Chris Breedlove and special guest Calvin Rikard, a veteran law enforcement officer with 17+ years of collision reconstruction experience, as they explore how drones are revolutionizing crash and crime scene documentation. In this episode, discover: -The evolution of crash scene documentation - from 100-foot measuring tapes to modern drone technology -Critical factors in capturing court-admissible drone evidence -Best practices for nighttime operations and challenging conditions -How gr...
Feb 13, 2025•14 min•Ep. 93
Are you confused about drone compliance in the United States? In this episode of Drone Questions Answered, host Chris Breedlove breaks down the complex landscape of drone regulations, including: 🚁 Compliance Tiers for Drone Buyers: Hobbyist & Private Sector Options American-Made and Allied Country Drones NDAA Compliance DIU Blue List AUVSI Green List Key Insights: Understanding supply chain security requirements Differences between various compliance standards Implications for commercial dr...
Feb 06, 2025•18 min•Ep. 92
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, we welcome Chris Breedlove, who will be taking over as the new host of the show! Chris brings over a decade of experience in geospatial technology and two years of specialized drone industry expertise. We dive deep into DJI's recent removal of geofencing restrictions - a significant change that's making waves in the drone community. Chris and David discuss: What geofencing is and why it matters The timing and potential reasons behind DJI's decis...
Jan 30, 2025•18 min•Ep. 91
Welcome to another episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered ! In this video, David Young dives into the hot topic of mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and New York that have captured the attention of media outlets, educators, and drone enthusiasts alike. We’ll explore: Theories about the sightings: hobbyist drones, law enforcement activities, or something more mysterious? Insights from government agencies like the FAA, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security. Why identifying these drone...
Dec 19, 2024•10 min•Ep. 90
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered we are discussing the latest news on the DJI drone ban, also known as the Countering CCP Drones Act. David breaks down the recent updates from the FY 2025 NDAA, including Section 1709 and its potential impact on DJI drones. Learn what this means for drone sales, business planning, and the future of DJI drones in the U.S.
Dec 12, 2024•7 min•Ep. 89
What Is the Status of the DJI Drone Ban in the United States? In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, we dive into the latest updates on the proposed DJI drone ban in the U.S., including details about the Countering CCP Drones Act (H.R. 2864), its progress in Congress, and what it could mean for DJI drone users and future sales. If you're wondering whether to buy a DJI drone or what this legislation could mean for the drone industry, this video has the answers....
Dec 05, 2024•4 min•Ep. 88
