In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered , David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, sits down with Rut Patel, a mapping expert who works with survey firms to integrate drone technology into their workflow. They dive deep into how drones are revolutionizing the surveying industry by reducing project timelines, improving data accuracy, and offering cost-effective solutions compared to traditional methods. Root shares insights from his hands-on experience, explaining the step-by-step p...
Nov 21, 2024•11 min•Ep. 87
Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered ! In this special nighttime episode filmed outdoors at a hotel in Cleveland, we’re diving into an essential topic for drone mapping—understanding the difference between RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and PPK (Post-Processing Kinematic). If you’re not familiar with these terms, they’re methods used to improve the accuracy of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data in drone mapping. We’ll cover why corrections are needed in GNSS da...
Nov 14, 2024•12 min•Ep. 86
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered , we’re diving into a question we hear a lot: Is the FAA tracking my drone? The short answer? No, the FAA is not actively tracking your drone like it does with manned aircraft. But there’s something called Remote ID that you might have heard about. We’ll explain what Remote ID is, how it works, and what information it broadcasts. Remote ID acts like a digital license plate for your drone, using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi signals to broadcast details like ...
Nov 07, 2024•4 min•Ep. 85
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered," David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, sits down with Nate Howard, Survey Manager at Kiewit, to dive deep into the use of drones in construction and surveying. David and Nate discuss how drones are transforming the way construction sites are surveyed, monitored, and managed. Nate introduces Kiewit, a top-ranked contractor and engineering firm, and shares insights from his extensive experience in the construction world. He explains how Ki...
Oct 31, 2024•18 min•Ep. 84
In this episode, we break down what geodesy is and why it matters for professional drone mapping. If you're doing any kind of serious drone mapping work - especially with surveyors or engineers - this is something you need to understand. Think drone mapping is just about taking pictures from above? Think again! Learn why being off by just a few feet in your measurements could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars on big projects, and how understanding geodesy helps you avoid these costly mistake...
Oct 24, 2024•14 min•Ep. 83
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered," host John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy is joined by Merrill McKee, founder of Northern Perspectives, to discuss the key considerations for flying drones in extreme cold weather. As temperatures drop, flying becomes more challenging, but with the right preparation and knowledge, you can still capture great footage and complete your missions. Topics covered include: Planning your drone flights in cold weather Tips for keeping drone batteries ...
Oct 17, 2024•8 min•Ep. 82
Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered!" In this episode, host John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy sits down with Peter Morssink, a beginner drone pilot and founder of 3D Flight Maryland, to revisit a popular topic: the best capturing software for beginner drone pilots. Join us as Peter shares his journey from working in a cancer center to discovering his passion for drones and starting his own business. They dive into the pros and cons of various capturing software,...
Oct 10, 2024•17 min•Ep. 81
Thinking about getting into FPV drones but not sure whether to build your own or buy pre-built? In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, host John Dickow talks with FPV expert Dusty Jolley about the pros and cons of each approach. Key points covered: The evolution of FPV drone technology and ease of entry Advantages of pre-built drones like the DJI Avata 2 Benefits of building your own drone, including repair knowledge Cost comparisons between building and buying Tips for beginners ente...
Oct 03, 2024•10 min•Ep. 80
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, we dive into the strictest drone laws in US cities and states. Key topics covered: Washington D.C.'s extensive no-fly zones New York City's new permit requirements Restrictions in other major cities like L.A. and Seattle State-level privacy laws affecting drone use Tips for checking local regulations before flying Whether you're a local or traveling drone pilot, understanding these laws is crucial. We break down the key restrictions and provide r...
Sep 26, 2024•12 min•Ep. 79
Ever wondered what goes into creating those mesmerizing drone light shows? In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host John Dickow sits down with Jacob Howard, CEO of Illuminate Drones, to uncover the world of drone light shows. Key topics covered: The journey from amateur drone enthusiast to professional light show creator Differences between indoor and outdoor drone shows The complex systems and software behind coordinating hundreds of drones Design process and challenges in creati...
Sep 19, 2024•17 min•Ep. 78
In this episode, John Dickow of Drone Launch Academy talks with Gavin Dillon, owner and chief pilot at Golf Delta Aerial Services, about how to find your first clients when starting a drone business. Key points covered: Gavin's journey from getting his pilot's license to starting his drone business The importance of having an online presence, even a minimal one How to leverage Google profiles and social media to attract clients Tips for finding your niche in the drone industry The value of start...
Sep 12, 2024•14 min•Ep. 77
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host John Dickow sits down with Shyon Samadi, an sUAS flight operator with Wing and owner of Virginia Drone Shots, to discuss the current state of drone deliveries. Key points covered: The progress of drone deliveries from concept to reality Major players in the drone delivery space, including Walmart's partnerships How drone deliveries work, from order placement to delivery Technological advancements like Wing's auto-loader system Limitations a...
Sep 05, 2024•12 min•Ep. 76
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, John Dickow and David Young tackle a tough but common question: What are the best consumer drones made in the US or not made in China? Key points covered: The scarcity of high-quality US-made consumer drones Why US drone manufacturers focus on enterprise and military markets Discussion of enterprise drone options (Skydio, Brinc, Wingtra, etc.) The economic factors behind the lack of US consumer drone options DJI's dominance and potential legisla...
Aug 29, 2024•14 min•Ep. 75
In this episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered", David tackles the common question of whether you can legally fly your drone in your neighborhood. He covers the key federal, state, and local laws and regulations you need to be aware of, including FAA airspace restrictions, privacy laws, and specific examples from states like California, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. David also provides practical tips and best practices for being a considerate drone pilot, such as introducing yourself t...
Aug 22, 2024•13 min•Ep. 74
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host John Dickow interviews David Beedy, founder of Beedy Media, about shooting commercial drone video for clients. With over 30 years of video production experience, David shares valuable insights: What clients are looking for in commercial drone footage Combining conventional drone shots with FPV drone footage Using the DJI Avata for indoor shooting Tips for stabilizing shaky FPV footage in post-production Best practices for sharing and delive...
Aug 15, 2024•15 min•Ep. 73
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, host John Dickow welcomes back Dave Downey, Senior Event Specialist at BCC Live, to discuss tips for capturing quality drone footage at night. Key topics covered: Challenges of shooting with prosumer drones at night Importance of filming lit subjects Using dusk/dawn lighting tricks Pros and cons of auto settings vs manual control Higher-end drone options for night shooting Considerations when filming fireworks displays The value of practice and t...
Aug 08, 2024•14 min•Ep. 72
Discover the top applications for planning and executing drone waypoint missions with David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy. Learn about options ranging from affordable apps like Litchi to more advanced solutions like DroneLink and DroneDeploy. Whether you're a hobbyist or professional drone pilot, this episode covers free and paid options to automate your drone flights, capture perfect orbits, and streamline your workflow. Key topics covered: Popular waypoint mission apps: Litchi, DroneL...
Aug 01, 2024•10 min•Ep. 71
Can you fly your drone at night in Class D airspace? David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, breaks down the rules and requirements for nighttime drone operations in controlled airspace. Key points covered: Part 107 nighttime flying regulations Requirements for anti-collision lighting Differences between controlled and uncontrolled airspace How to get authorization for night flights in Class D airspace Overview of airspace classes (B, C, D, E, G) Whether you're a new drone pilot or looking...
Jul 25, 2024•9 min•Ep. 70
Discover the essential drone features for measuring plant health on golf courses and beyond! 🌱🏌️♂️🚁 In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, John Dickow interviews Kendall Marquardt, founder of Precision Drone Mapping Services, about: Multispectral drone technology for assessing turf health DJI Multispectral Enterprise 3 drone capabilities Post-flight data processing and analysis platforms Color-coded plant health indicators Arbor Pearl software for tree management Tips for aspirin...
Jul 18, 2024•10 min•Ep. 69
Thinking of starting a drone business but not sure which industry to focus on? In this episode, John Dickow of Drone Launch Academy interviews Nathan Sheets, founder of The Drone Ranger, about the top drone industry verticals to consider. Key topics covered: How to research and choose profitable drone industry verticals Factors to consider when selecting an industry (personal interest, profitability, connections) Tips for market research and testing different verticals Advice for new drone entre...
Jul 11, 2024•11 min•Ep. 68
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered (YDQA), host John Dickow talks with Nathan Sheets, founder of The Drone Ranger, about effective marketing strategies for drone businesses. Key topics covered: Online vs offline marketing approaches Building a strong web presence and portfolio Networking and in-person marketing tactics Tips for creating a professional website Utilizing social media for brand building Nathan shares insights from his experience growing The Drone Ranger since 2021, o...
Jul 04, 2024•14 min•Ep. 67
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, John Dickow and David Young break down the costs associated with getting a drone license. They cover: Recreational vs. commercial drone use The free TRUST certification for recreational pilots Part 107 commercial drone license costs ($175 exam fee) Optional training course costs ($150-$600) Drone costs for beginners ($29-$500+) Total investment for commercial drone pilots ($700-$1000+) David explains the differences between recreational and comme...
Jun 27, 2024•10 min•Ep. 66
In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host John Dickow interviews Ryan Stotsky, the owner and operator of Zero to 400 Drone Services. Ryan shares his unique business of using drones with thermal cameras to help locate lost pets. He walks through the process of how he receives calls from distraught pet owners, assesses if a drone search is viable based on factors like airspace, and then conducts nighttime thermal imaging flights to try to detect the pet's heat signature. Ryan provide...
Jun 20, 2024•14 min•Ep. 65
Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered" with John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy! Today, we dive into a specific question from our community: how to best serve property owners with aerial content and navigate indoor drone flights for real estate shoots. Joining John is James Grace, founder of JMG Aerial Imagery. With five years of experience and a rich background in Sony Pictures, James shares his journey from hobbyist drone pilot to a successful entrepreneur. Disco...
Jun 13, 2024•17 min•Ep. 64
Welcome back to Your Drone Questions. Answered! Today, we tackle an exciting and timely topic: upcoming changes to operating drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) from a commercial perspective. David discusses the recent signing of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 by the president on May 16th. This act sets the stage for significant changes in BVLOS operations, with a final rule expected by September 2025. This new rule will streamline the process for commercial drone operators, elim...
May 30, 2024•9 min•Ep. 63
In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, we discuss an important topic for drone pilots - how to properly price your drone services. John is joined by Cody Retlich, founder and CEO of DroneAdair, who shares his valuable insights and tips. Cody emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions upfront to understand the client's needs and expectations fully. He stresses considering factors like location, experience, equipment, project scope, deliverables, and post-production require...
May 23, 2024•16 min•Ep. 62
Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered"! Join John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy and David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, as they tackle a question- which remote ID modules are recommended for older drones like the Mini 2 and Mavic 2 Pro used in his school. Discover the top three remote ID module recommendations based on price, ease of use, and compliance with FAA standards in this insightful discussion. In this episode, you'll learn about: Recommendation ...
May 16, 2024•6 min•Ep. 61
Welcome back to Your Drone Questions Answered! In this episode, we're tackling a common question: Can a licensed drone pilot let someone without a license use their license to post commercial real estate photos? Our host, John Dickow, chats with David Young from Drone Launch Academy to break down this topic. They dive into the FAA rules, discussing what's allowed and what's not when it comes to commercial drone photography. David explains that while some people think it's okay for a non-licensed...
May 09, 2024•7 min•Ep. 60
Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered"! In this episode, we dive into the world of mapping with drone technology. Join John Dickow from Drone Launch Academy as we answer your questions and explores the process of sharing maps online. Today's question comes from a viewer who recently acquired a license for PIX4D mapper but is unsure how to share maps online, particularly with an embed code. To shed light on this topic, John invites Michael Lilley, founder of Wet Dog D...
May 02, 2024•15 min•Ep. 59
How to Measure Roofs and Detect Leaks with Drones Welcome back to another episode of "Your drone questions. answered". In this episode our guest expert is Jason Koonce from 107 Technologies. He walks through step-by-step how to accurately measure roofs using drones and photogrammetry software. Jason covers the key steps like capturing drone data, establishing known measurement references, determining roof pitch, and processing the data into an orthomosaic map. He demonstrates how to upload the m...
Apr 25, 2024•25 min•Ep. 58
