Ask Drone U

On today's show, we have Colorado wedding photographer, Kara Cavalca who shares with us her wisdom on how to successfully manage and scale a photography business. Wedding photography is a tough and competitive business. But Kara has managed to grow and scale her one-woman show to the next level. You will learn how she is using an all-in-one software, Sproutstudio to manage all her business needs ranging from invoicing to digital storage. Additionally, this software, which is specially built for photographers is also capable of sending out automated emails so that you can follow up with your clients in a hassle-free manner. Having spent more than four years in this space, Kara shares how she differentiates herself in a crowded marketplace. She opens up her playbook to reveal what it takes to be successful in this business. This show is full of some great nuggets guaranteed to help you out. Enjoy! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonab

Today's question is about launching/landing a drone autonomously from a flatbed truck. Our caller for today, Renn is from Australia and has called in with an interesting question that has not been asked on Ask Drone U before. Renn's question is about launching/landing a drone autonomously from a flatbed truck. On today's show, we present two solutions to help Renn out. First, you will learn about a tethered drone system that can be flown from a moving vehicle. The next solution is particularly innovative as this technology can be used to autonomously fly DJI drones. We also speculate how autonomous flying can be used to significantly scale up powerline inspections and drone deliveries among other things. For all this and much, much more, tune in to our latest show now. Thanks for the great question, Renn. Fly Safe! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone ba

Today's question is about the new Part 107 rules for drone pilots. Our caller for today, DJ has come up with a great question about the new Part 107 drone rules. DJ is confused by these new rules and wishes to know how they impact him as a Part 107 pilot. The FAA recently announced some significant changes to Part 107 rules which might change the way you fly. On today's show, you will learn how these changes will impact 1) Part 107 Test 2) Part 107 Recurrency 3) Flying at Night, and 4) Flying over Moving Vehicles. We do a deep dive into each of these points so that you don't end up on the wrong side of the law. In light of these new changes, you will also learn why the DJI Mavic Mini 2 is the most valuable drone that you can buy right now. Thanks for the great question, DJ. Fly Safe! New Part 107 Drone Rules Makes Flying Easier - https://www.thedroneu.com/blog/new-part-107-drone-rules-make-flying-easier/ Drone Rule Changes Make Microdrones More Valuable - https://www.thedroneu.com/blog/drone-rule-changes-make

On today's show, we have Andrew Dennison, Director of Enterprise Services at DroneDeploy who shares with us the latest and most exciting trends from the drone mapping world. We start this show with Andrew sharing the workflow used by a majority of DroneDeploy pilots. You will learn how drones are being increasingly used as an image sharing tool in construction. We also discuss the big push towards onsite processings and future trends such as LiDAR. Andrew shares DroneDeploy's big plans for the indoor mapping space. And towards the end, he shares an untapped and lucrative opportunity that will surely interest enterprising pilots. Do not miss this special show. Enjoy! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an extra 5% off on total repair costs. Check them o

Today's show is about using drones in the oil and gas industry. Our caller for today, Jason from Texas wishes to leverage his experience in the oil and gas industry. He is wondering about the best way to market his drone services to industry stakeholders. In today's show, we discuss regulations, safety concerns, and marketing tactics. Thanks for the great question, Jason. Fly Safe! Drone Regulations for the Oil and Gas Industry - epa.gov Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an extra 5% off on total repair costs. Check them out now! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.co

Today's show is about extinguishing a drone battery fire. We dispel some common misconceptions and reveal the best solution so that you can avert any disaster. Our caller for today, Bob tuned in to our previous show, Can You Get Into Trouble for Not Retrieving Your Drone After a Crash? And after listening in, he has come up with a great follow-up question. Bob's question is about extinguishing a fire caused by a LiPo drone battery. On today's show, you will learn the ONE thing that you should never do if your drone battery catches fire. And, to help Bob out, we go in touch with our good friends at FDNY so that we can recommend the best possible solution. Tune in to find out! Thanks for the great question, Bob. Fly Safe! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members

Today's question is about the new executive order issued by President Trump on January 18, 2021. Just before President Trump ended his term, he signed a bunch of executive orders - one of them being Executive Order 13981 on January 18, 2021. Titled "Protecting United States from Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems", this order places restrictions on the use of drones and drone spare parts manufactured in certain countries. And this order also enforces additional flight restrictions. But, with the blue administration now in charge, is the executive order still valid? Will the Biden team follow up on this executive order or simply scrap it? For all this and much, much more, tune in to our latest show now. Enjoy! Fly Safe! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members ge

Today's show is about the current drone industry trend that has become really popular lately. Our caller for today, Tom has come up with a great question that has not been asked on Ask Drone U before. Tom's question is about the current drone industry trend where manufacturers are charging extra for add-on services and accessories. While this trend is now catching on in the drone industry, subscription-based services are already popular in industries like automobiles and OTT. In today's show, we discuss the pros and cons of this lease/subscription-based model. While this model might save you money if you plan on using a drone/software for a short period of time, are drone manufacturers going overboard with this? Are you okay with paying extra for software, third-party apps, and accessories? Let us know your thoughts! Thanks for the great question, Tom. Fly Safe! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folk

Today's question is about drone laws. Specifically, what should a drone pilot do when flying near manned aircraft? Our caller for today, German is from Florida. Recently, when flying his drone at a 200 feet altitude, he came dangerously close to a helicopter. So, can helicopters legally fly at such low altitudes? And, should drone pilots always yield to manned aircraft even if they are flying with all the necessary permissions? With drone deliveries set to take flight, we also discuss if there is an urgent need to tweak drone laws. For all this and much, much more, tune in to our latest show now. Thanks for the great question, German. Fly Safe! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an extra 5% off on total repair costs. Check them out now! Get Your Bi

Today's show is about the DJI Crystalsky. Experienced pilot and Drone U's newest instructor, Tom has called in with a great question today. Considering the US's toughening stance towards Chinese companies, is it still safe for you to buy DJI equipment? Specifically, the DJI Crystalsky. Is it true that DJI Crystalsky is nearing its end of life? Can you still update your apps and get adequate support if you are using this DJI monitor to fly your drones? For all this and much more, tune in to our latest show now. Thanks for the great question, Tom. Fly Safe! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an extra 5% off on total repair costs. Check them out now! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 10

Today's show is about the all-new Sony Airpeak Drone. Recently, Sony unveiled a new prosumer grade drone at CES 2021. This new drone, The Sony Airpeak comes with an FPV camera, obstacle avoidance, and an impressive payload. Mounting troubles for DJI have thrown up some interesting possibilities for other drone manufacturers who wish to jump into the fray. And considering Sony's past partnership with DJI and their impressive production capabilities, they are well-positioned to fill this market gap. In today's show, you will get a sneak peek, and learn about specs & pricing. If you are a drone enthusiast interested in the latest, most exciting developments, this show will be particularly interesting for you. Enjoy! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an

Today's show is about the commercial viability of the DJI Mavic Air 2. Our caller for today, Matt files a DJI Mavic Air 2. Matt is wondering if he can use this beginner drone for commercial drone photography and videography. Can Matt compete with drone pilots who fly more expensive drones like the Mavic 2 and Inspire 2? The different options discussed today include the Mavic 2 Pro, the Mavic 2 Zoom, and the Inspire 2-X7 combo. Additionally, we also share the pros and cons of the sub-250 gram, DJI Mavic Mini 2. After the latest updates, is it possible to build a sustainable drone business using this tiny DJI drone? For all this and much, much more, tune in to our latest show now! Fly Safe! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an extra 5% off on total rep

Today's show is about a drone crash. Can you get into trouble for NOT retrieving your drone after a crash? Our caller for today, Gavin recently crashed his DJI Mavic Air 2 in a canyon. Notwithstanding his lost investment and footage, should Gavin retrieve his lost drone? What are the risks of leaving your drone out in the wild? You will learn how to retrieve your lost drone and the dangers of overheated batteries. Enjoy! Logic Labs is accepting registrations for their new Mastermind, and an exclusive group of like-minded entrepreneurs intent on sharpening their personal and business skillsets through a combination of brainstorming, education, and peer accountability. Limited Seats Available! Sign Up Now! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an extra 5%

In today's show, we share our predictions for the drone industry in 2021. 2020 was a particularly turbulent year for the drone industry. Along with the pandemic, we also witnessed a significant increase in the anti-China rhetoric which compounded troubles for industry leader, DJI. But with the end of the pandemic finally in sight, can we expect things to finally turn a corner in 2021? Can we expect a slew of new drones to be launched in 2021? And, are there any industry dark horses that might challenge DJI's dominant position? Tune in to our animated discussion as we share our predictions for 2021. Fly Safe! Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an extra 5% off on total repair costs. Check them out now! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certif

Today's question is about affordable drones that can be used for creating content for social media. Specifically, we discuss the DJI Mavic Mini 2, DJI Mavic Air 2, and DJI Mavic Pro 2 in today's show. Our caller for today, Emily has come up with a great question. Specifically, Emily needs a drone for posting to social media. And, she is wondering if the DJI Mavic Mini 2 is a good option for her. Is this small sub-250 gram DJI drone capable of generating captivating photos and videos? How does the DJI Mavic Mini 2 compare to its larger cousins like the DJI Mavic Air 2 and DJI Mavic Pro 2? Tune in to discover if the DJI Mavic Mini 2 is a commercially viable drone that you can use for posting to social media. Thanks for the great question, Emily! Fly Safe! Logic Labs is accepting registrations for their new Mastermind, and an exclusive group of like-minded entrepreneurs intent on sharpening their personal and business skillsets through a combination of brainstorming, education, and peer accountability. Limited S

Today's question is about drone cameras with regular (EO) and thermal capabilities. Which is the most affordable set-up for drone pilots that generates good results? Our caller for today, Dave is on the lookout for a drone camera with EO and thermal capabilities. However, he is on a tight budget. So, which is the most affordable drone camera that will get the job done? Does he absolutely need a radioactive camera? Options discussed today include the DJI Mavic Enterprise 2 Dual and the Inspire 1 - Z3 combo. Tune in for some great insights. Thanks for the great question, Dave. Fly Safe. Recently crashed your drone? Unable to find trained technicians who can repair your drone quickly and at a reasonable rate? Don’t fret. The cool folks at Fortress UAV can help you get your drone back up in the air in as little as 7 days! Use Promo Code “DroneU” to get 25% off. Drone U Members get an extra 5% off on total repair costs. Check them out now! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions An

Today's question is about police drones. Which are some of the best drones for law enforcement? And, what are some of the most important things that the department should consider when setting up a new drone program? Our caller for today, Officer Abrennaman is calling from Montgomery County, Ohio. His police department has recently kickstarted a drone program, and Alex is wondering if they have purchased the right drones for their program and if they are moving in the right direction. In today's show, we first discuss the different ways of using police drones. On a broad level, you will learn the three different deliverables, and how each drone deliverable has multiple uses. From event management to search and rescue to streaming live feeds, we reveal how law enforcement can leverage drone technology to execute tasks with greater efficiency while reducing risks and costs. Other topics discussed in today's show include the best and most efficient police drones, how the changing regulations impact publ

DJI's New FPV Drone To Be Released This Christmas?, Police Drones, Troubles Compound for DJI as Senior Employees Jump Ship Our biggest story this week is about DJI's new FPV drone. If you are a regular ADU listener, you must be aware of all the latest industry rumors pertaining to this new DJI drone. Now, you shall be enthused to learn that DJI's has submitted their FCC filings for this new drone, the remote controller, and the FPV goggles. Does this latest development indicate that DJI is gearing up for a Christmas release? Tune in to this segment of the show for a sneak peek. Our next story is about police drones. Specifically, the Sacremento police and the Chula Vista polcie have been using drones, albeit in different ways. The Sacremento police is sending out FPV drones to document site conditions AFTER the law enforcement officers have assumed charge. Whereas, the Chula Vista police is using the DJI Matrice 300 and the Skydio as first responders. What do you think about drones being used for police

Our biggest story this week is about a Philadelphia drone pilot and YouTuber, Mikey. FAA's decision to slap a mammoth $185,000 fine (!) on Mikey for his 123 infractions has been met with disbelief and mixed reactions by industry stake-holders. While there are some who feel that Mikey had it coming after blatanty ignoring FAA's many warnings, there are yet others who feel that this fine is too harsh. Whichever side of the fence that you are on, this incident again highlights how our current system is setting up our drone pilots for massive failure. A drone can be bought online or from a store just like any other smartphone or camera, and it does not come up with a list of do's and don'ts. FAA's failure to properly educate pilots (and especially first-time flyers) means that there are many who are unaware of what all they need do to fly legally without fiouting any laws. Our next story is about flying drones in NYC. A while back we had published this detailed guide which revealed all there is to kno

In today's show, we attempt to decode what navigable airspace truly means. Getting to the bottom of this can help drone pilots navigate the confusing maze of drone rules and laws to clearly understand where they can and cannot fly. Back in 1946, United States vs. Causby (1946), a Supreme Court decision abolished "ad coelum". "Ad coelum" stated that a person who owned the soil also owned all of the airspace above it. But, while, the Courts abolished ad coelum, they also rejected the government's claim to possess all the space above ground. Which brings us to the moot question - what exactly is navigable airspace? Going by pure logic, if space up to your treetops is "non-navigable", why can't you fly without a Part 107 in your own backyard? And, going by this same logic, if you are flying a commercial job in "non-navigable" airspace, why do you need any sort of flight approval at all? We discuss all this and much in today's show. Enjoy! If you enjoyed this show, you might enjoy going through Who