Welcome to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this episode, David Young from Drone Launch Academy tackles a viewer question about flying drones over people and vehicles. Richard Johnson asks about the rules regarding flying drones over sidewalks and roads to capture oblique shots of a church. More information can be found on FAA's website here- https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people If you have questions about drone operations or want to learn more ...
Apr 18, 2024•13 min•Ep. 57
Welcome to "Your Drone Questions. Answered"! In this episode, John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy is joined by Dylan Gorman, founder of Pilot Byte, to delve into achieving high accuracy with drones. Dylan, with his extensive mapping and photogrammetry experience, shares insights on three main methods for optimal accuracy: visual accuracy focusing on ground sampling distance (GSD), physical accuracy using ground control points, PPK, and RTK technologies. He also discusses ideal altitude and ove...
Apr 11, 2024•12 min•Ep. 56
Welcome to 'Your Drone Questions. Answered"! In this episode, we tackle a common question: Do I need drone insurance? Join John Dickow as he chats with David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, to dive deep into this topic. David breaks down drone insurance into two main categories: commercial use and recreational use (hobbyist). For hobbyists, your homeowner's insurance typically covers your drone as personal property, including liability for damage caused to others or their property. Howev...
Apr 04, 2024•10 min•Ep. 55
We would like to thank our sponsor of this episode, AutoPylot. AutoPylot is an easy-to-use, all-in-one drone flight planning app. It’s an FAA-approved provider of both B4UFLY and LAANC services. On AutoPylot, you can plan your flights, check airspace and weather, and complete flight checklists to make sure you’re flying safely. AND, they’ve just launched a new drone insurance feature. You can easily purchase insurance and access your policy from right inside the AutoPylot app. If you want to giv...
Mar 28, 2024•16 min•Ep. 54
Welcome to another episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered"! In this episode, John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy and Dusty Jolley, the community manager at Drone Launch Connect, discuss the world of FPV drones. Dusty shares insights on the differences between FPV drones and traditional drones, highlighting the immersive experience of flying FPV drones and the control it offers. He also delves into why building your own FPV drone can be a rewarding experience, offering customization options ...
Mar 21, 2024•10 min•Ep. 53
Welcome back to "Your Drone Questions Answered"! In this episode, John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy sits down with David Young, the founder of Drone Launch Academy, to delve into the latest trends and lucrative opportunities in the drone industry. David shares invaluable insights gathered from the recent season of the "Drone to 1K" podcast, where successful drone entrepreneurs reveal their strategies for generating income using drones. Drawing from over 60 episodes of in-depth conversations ...
Mar 14, 2024•13 min•Ep. 52
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered," host John Dickow tackles the common question: how much to charge clients for drone video services and licensing? He's joined by FAA certified drone videographer and photographer, Kevin Olson. Kevin emphasizes that pricing depends on various factors, including experience level and geographical location. Starting with free work to build a portfolio is common, but as one progresses, pricing should reflect the value of time and expertise. For fres...
Mar 07, 2024•12 min•Ep. 51
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this episode, John Dickow and David Young tackle the common misconception that drones can't be flown in national parks. David breaks down the legal pathway to flying drones in these protected areas, shedding light on the exceptions outlined in Policy Memorandum 14-05 issued by the United States Department of the Interior National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/policy/upload/PM_14-05.pdf Learn about the detailed proc...
Feb 29, 2024•11 min•Ep. 50
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this episode, John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy is joined by Alex Harris, a videographer, photographer, and drone pilot, to delve into the world of ND filters and their application in videography and photography. Have you ever wondered what ND filters are and how they're used? Alex breaks it down in simple terms, likening them to sunglasses for your drone's camera. He explains the significance of ND filters in controlling e...
Feb 22, 2024•11 min•Ep. 49
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, John Dickow and David Young tackle the topic of drones for kids. David, a father of five and founder of Drone Launch Academy, shares his insights and experiences on this matter. They discuss rules and regulations for kids flying drones, including the TRUST exam mandated by the FAA. David also provides practical tips based on his firsthand experiences, such as starting with indoor flying to avoid wind issues and the importance of avoiding trees. T...
Feb 15, 2024•14 min•Ep. 48
Welcome back to Your Drone Questions Answered! In this captivating episode, John Dickow is joined once again by Dave Downey, President and Senior Events Specialist at BCC Live, as they delve deep into the fascinating world of live drone broadcasting. Get ready to embark on an insightful journey as Dave shares invaluable insights, strategies, and tips garnered from his extensive experience in the field. Discover how drones are ingeniously integrated into live broadcasts, elevating the viewer expe...
Feb 08, 2024•14 min•Ep. 47
Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered" where John Dickow, alongside David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, tackles a critical topic – the rules and regulations surrounding the consumption of alcohol and drugs while operating drones David begins by emphasizing the potential dangers of combining drones with substances like alcohol or drugs, emphasizing that such a combination is never a good idea. He proceeds to break down the regulations for commercial drone ope...
Feb 01, 2024•8 min•Ep. 46
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this episode, John Dickow explores the question of which drones capture the highest quality video. Joined by Dave Downey, President of BCC Live, they delve into the world of drone videography. Dave shares insights into his background at Boulder County Communications, specializing in outdoor sporting events. Drones have become essential in capturing dynamic shots for live broadcasts, offering unique perspectives that were challe...
Jan 25, 2024•14 min•Ep. 45
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered ! In this episode, John Dickow interviews Kendall Marquardt, a certified golf course superintendent and founder of Precision Drone Mapping Services. They delve into the world of drone footage editing, discussing the recommended software and sharing valuable insights. 🚁 Guest: Kendall Marquardt 📷 Topic: Best Editing Software for Drone Footage 🔍 Content Highlights: Introduction, Kendall's Background and Entry into Drone Work, Edit...
Jan 18, 2024•12 min•Ep. 44
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In today's episode, John and David Young, the founder of Drone Launch Academy, discuss some must-have apps for both recreational and commercial drone pilots. The apps are categorized into flight automation, flight planning, insurance, and editing. Starting with flight automation, David introduces the Litchi app, a versatile tool for programming your drone's flight path and camera movements. Another powerful app is DroneLink, which...
Jan 11, 2024•9 min•Ep. 43
Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered" with John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy. Today's question comes from a client dealing with construction near railway lines, seeking precise measurements to ensure track stability during excavation. The client currently uses Trimble Total Station devices and wonders if drones could provide the required millimeter-level accuracy. Zachary Riddell, Southwest Business Development Manager and Certified Mapping Specialist at Cooper A...
Dec 27, 2023•10 min•Ep. 42
Join John and David as they demystify the need for certification when taking your drone to the skies, whether it's for pure enjoyment or professional endeavors. The duo explores the intricacies of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) rules, shedding light on the registration process and the nuances between flying drones for recreation and commercial purposes. David provides valuable insights into the Trust exam, a crucial step for recreational drone enthusiasts. Discover the basics of thi...
Dec 21, 2023•10 min•Ep. 41
Welcome back to Your Drone Questions. Answered! Today, John Dickow from the Drone Launch Academy sits down with Chris Simmons, founder and owner at Dark Horse Unmanned, to discuss the diverse applications of military drones. In this conversation, Chris shares his background, highlighting his military service and involvement with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The discussion moves beyond conventional drone uses, exploring their role in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), terra...
Dec 14, 2023•17 min•Ep. 40
Welcome back to Your Drone Questions Answered! In today's episode, John Dickow dives into the fascinating world of using drones in search and rescue operations. Joined by First Lieutenant Martin Lessem from the Massachusetts Wing, DOU, and the Civil Air Patrol in the US Air Force Auxiliary, they unravel the intricacies of this critical application of drone technology. 🌐 Guest Introduction: First Lieutenant Martin Lessem Meet Martin Lessem, the Director of Operations for Small Unmanned Aerial Sy...
Dec 07, 2023•12 min•Ep. 39
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this episode, John Dickow is joined by Bobby Beard, an independent adjuster who uses drones to assist with insurance claims. Bobby shares his journey into the drone industry, starting with his background in flood insurance and transitioning to homeowners' insurance. Discover how Bobby got introduced to using drones during a storm event in Nashville, where he witnessed roofing companies utilizing drones for inspections. Concerne...
Nov 30, 2023•8 min•Ep. 38
Welcome to another episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered" with John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy. In this episode, the focus is on using drones to survey storm damage, and John is joined by Lou Rue, a retired fire police lieutenant and storm chaser with the National Weather Service. Lou shares his experience of storm chasing over the past 20 years and highlights the challenges faced in traditional damage surveys, especially when dealing with time-sensitive forensics. He emphasizes the ne...
Nov 23, 2023•10 min•Ep. 37
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered (YDQA), John Dickow and David Young explore the complex topic of FAA fines for drone-related violations. David, the founder of Drone Launch Academy, provides insights into the FAA's enforcement program and the factors that influence the determination of fines. The FAA's compliance and enforcement program, outlined in FAA Order 2150.3C, serves as a comprehensive guide. David directs viewers to page 201 of the 266-page document, specifically chapter...
Nov 16, 2023•15 min•Ep. 36
Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered." In this episode, John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy is joined by Kevin Olson, the owner of Maryland Drone Guy, to discuss the requirements and challenges of flying a drone in Europe. Kevin recently returned from a trip to Europe and shares his firsthand experiences and insights on navigating the European drone regulations. In this informative conversation, Kevin highlights some key differences between flying drones in the Uni...
Nov 09, 2023•11 min•Ep. 35
Welcome back to another exciting episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered." In this episode, our host, John Dickow, dives into a crucial topic: the rules and regulations for flying drones at night. He's joined by special guest Cody Retlich, the founder of Drone A Dare and CEO of Midwest Aerial Productions, who provides invaluable insights into nighttime drone operations. In this episode, John and Cody discuss the rules and regulations for flying drones at night. As of 2021, the regulations have...
Nov 02, 2023•12 min•Ep. 34
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered . In this episode, we delve into the world of drone mapping and photogrammetry. John Dickow is joined by Dylan Gorman, a drone expert with over a decade of experience in this field. Dylan shares his insights on the applications and clientele for photogrammetry and mapping services using drones. In this engaging conversation, they discuss the foundational concept of photogrammetry, its applications in various industries, and real-wo...
Oct 26, 2023•16 min•Ep. 33
Welcome to "Your Drone Questions Answered" with John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy. In this episode, we dive into the importance of Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for drone pilots. David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, joins us to explain TFRs, why they're imposed, and how to stay informed. TFRs are airspace areas where all aircraft, including drones, are prohibited. Violating TFRs can lead to serious consequences, as shown by a recent incident. For instance, during a college fo...
Oct 19, 2023•10 min•Ep. 32
Welcome back to another enlightening episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this captivating installment, John Dickow, the host of Drone Launch Academy's informative series, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Todd Graetz, a prominent figure in the dynamic world of drone technology. Together, they delve into the intricacies of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for drones, offering keen insights into the present state, the challenges that lie ahead, and the potenti...
Oct 12, 2023•19 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered", John Dickow and Dusty Jolley discuss valuable tips and insights on how to avoid or minimize drone crashes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced pilot, these tips can help you fly your drone safely and confidently. Learn about selecting the right drone, understanding its features, and handling unexpected situations like low battery or loss of connection. Don't let the fear of crashing hold you back from enjoying the world of drones. Join...
Oct 05, 2023•16 min•Ep. 30
Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered"! In today's episode, we answer the question "How can someone get into mapping when DroneDeploy is expensive per month?" To shed light on this, John brings in David Young, the founder of Drone Launch Academy, who shares some insights and alternatives for affordable mapping software. David starts by addressing the rising costs of DroneDeploy and PIX4D and points out that DroneDeploy is now even pricier than before, with an annual s...
Sep 28, 2023•8 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered" (YDQA), John Dickow engages in a detailed conversation with Jerry Wodka, an experienced law enforcement professional with over 23 years of service. Jerry has also been a drone pilot for more than four years. They explore the multifaceted role of drones in law enforcement and the specific regulations governing their use in the state of Illinois. Jerry Wodka introduces himself and discusses his background in law enforcement, shedding light on his ...
Sep 21, 2023•18 min•Ep. 28
