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Today's show is an exclusive one as we are joined by PJ Kirkpatrick, our new Director of Operations. PJ is not new to those who have been members with Drone U or have taken some of his in-person classes. PJ comes with years of experience in the drone industry, having trained individual and enterprise clients over a range of domains. In our show today PJ shares his experiences, his beliefs and what excites him about his new role at Drone U and PROPS programs. Paul, Rob and PJ also discuss specifics of the drone training industry and share their views on delivering Drone U courses, in-person training, best drones to fly and what makes an effective trainer and why training is important for success in the drone industry. Tune in to learn more about all these exciting stories and hear it first hand from PJ. 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

With so many compelling priorities, what is the best way to get started in the drone business? In today's episode we discuss the optimal way for drone pilots to get started with their drone business. Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U courses. Over many years on developing comprehensive training content for developing skilled pilots, Drone U has developed over 40+ courses over diverse applications and domains. Access them all through single Drone U membership. Visit our Drone U course page for more details on available courses. Today's question is from Andrew, who would like to know the best way for pilots to get started in the drone business and what are some of the factors that need to be kept in mind when starting one. Thanks for the question Andrew. Starting a business in today's inflationary environment is challenging as such and demands a thorough and disciplined approach for the business owner. Drone businesses are no different and require sufficient rigor and passion. In today's episode w

Are base stations an absolute necessary? Can pilots use their drones to reference ground points for mapping missions? In today's episode we discuss the use of base stations and if pilots can make do without one as they work on mapping deliverables. Are there any benefits to doing so? Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U courses. Over many years on developing comprehensive training content for developing skilled pilots, Drone U has developed over 40+ courses over diverse applications and domains. Access them all through single Drone U membership. Visit our Drone U course page for more details on available courses. Today's question is from Scott, who would like to know if its possible for pilots to use their drone feed for referencing points from the ground for mapping deliverables and if a base station is not required. Thanks for the question Scott. Today's episode is a short one where we address the use and advantages of using formal gear for GCP as against referencing the ground from video feed/fo

Today's show is a special one as we are joined by Lucid Drone Technologies founder, Andrew Ashur. Ansrew shares the Lucid Drone story informing us of the journey, its mission and the road ahead for the company. Paul and Bobby discuss specifics of business and the industry as a whole, talking about what are Lucid drone, how they came into existence and how the drones are revolutionizing the cleaning and maintenance industry. Andrew also shares his story on the start up story and how Lucid Drones are gearing up for new applications. Andrew also talks about business growth and scaling business discussing about networking and customer focus and how Ycombinator provided the support to the company over its initial years. Tune in to learn more about all these exciting stories and hear it first hand from Andrew Ashur. 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 answere

Can drone pilots fly over roofs in order to scout for opportunities for roofing contractors? What are the regulatory challenges? In today's episode we discuss about a unique strategy of scouting for opportunities for roofing contractors by conducting flights over roofs and identifying roofing opportunities. Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U mapping events and classes. We talk about some of the new changes we have made to our mapping classes and course curriculum to stay updated with some of the recent trends in the mapping industry such as going over new products for geo-referencing, geo-tagging, GPS and more. Visit our Drone U events page for more details on classes and courses. Today's question is from Sam, who is proposing a unique proposal to fly over roofs with the objective for identifying business opportunities for roofing contractors and would like to know our insight into this proposal and understand regulatory challenges. Thanks for the question Sam. In this episode we start off by dis

Can pilots fly in NOAA protected areas? Does NOAA have the ability to regulate airspace? In today's episode we discuss about NOAA protected areas and the rules and regulations in airspace around protected areas. Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U mapping events and classes. We talk about some of the new changes we have made to our mapping classes and course curriculum to stay updated with some of the recent trends in the mapping industry such as going over new products for geo-referencing, geo-tagging, GPS and more. Visit our Drone U events page for more details on classes and courses. Today's question is from Keith, who has come across a NOAA protected area, and would like to know if he can fly his drone and what would be the challenges in flying in a NOAA protected area. Thanks for the question Keith. In this short episode we discuss if the NOAA has the regulatory authority to control airspace and if the FAA recognizes NOAA rules. We also discuss ways by which pilots can seek approval for condu

What are the best ways a pilot can sell their services? How can a pilot make best use of the drones they have? In today's episode we discuss some best strategies for drone pilots to sell their services and how they can make best use of the drones they possess. Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U mapping events and classes. We talk about some of the new changes we have made to our mapping classes and course curriculum to stay updated with some of the recent trends in the mapping industry such as going over new products for geo-referencing, geo-tagging, GPS and more. Visit our Drone U events page for more details on classes and courses. Today's question is from Justin, who wants to know what best practices can he use to sell his services. Justin explains his current process and wants to know robust ways for making sales. He also wants to know how best to make use of his current fleet of drones to improve his business offerings. Thank you Justin for the question, We have strongly believed in a few ke

As a mapper should you opt for cloud solutions which seem easier to work with as against desktop solutions? Are there inherent benefits to desktop tools? In today's episode we review and discuss the common solutions available in drone mapping and if pilots should opt for cloud solutions as against desktop solutions. Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U mapping events and classes. We talk about some of the new changes we have made to our mapping classes and course curriculum to stay updated with some of the recent trends in the mapping industry such as going over new products for geo-referencing, geo-tagging, GPS and more. Visit our Drone U events page for more details on classes and courses. Today's question from Jamie is whether he should be using cloud solutions for mapping processing as against desktop solutions, as cloud solutions allow for faster post processing of mapping deliverables. We delve into details of mapping post processing and explain the difference in delivering mapping solutions

Judge uphelds remote id in RaceDayQuad vs FAA ruling. What implications does this have for pilots and the industry? In today's episode we talk about the outcome of the RaceDayQuad vs FAA on Remote ID as judge upheld remote id. We go over the implications of the ruling and what this means to pilots and the industry at large. RaceDayQuads sued the FAA in April early 2021 and filed the arguments on August 4, 2021. After subsequent replies and arguments, The Department of Justice (DOJ) and RaceDayQuads argued in court in front of a judge and a ruling was made by the judge based on the arguments. To know more about history of the case and relevant details listen to our earlier podcast on the topic. Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U mapping events and classes. We talk about some of the new changes we have made to our mapping classes and course curriculum to stay updated with some of the recent trends in the mapping industry such as going over new products for geo-referencing, geo-tagging, GPS and more.

What options do pilots have if they intend to fly in clear airspace near a designated DJI red zone? Today's question is from John, who is working on a project to conduct flight missions around a prison that is no longer functional yet is classified as a red zone by DJI. John would like to know if Pilots have options to fly in such clear airspace and what they would need to know prior to flying. Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U mapping events and classes. We talk about some of the new changes we have made to our mapping classes and course curriculum to stay updated with some of the recent trends in the mapping industry such as going over new products for geo-referencing, geo-tagging, GPS and more. Visit our Drone U events page for more details on classes and courses. We start off today's show by discussing 3 options that pilots have to effectively fly over red zone while also discussing the approximate times it would take to seek permission. Our option 1 is to apply to FAA to void a red zone and

As the Phantom drones near their end of life, what drones are good alternatives for all round performance? We're back to recording podcasts after a hiatus and in this episode we address a long standing question in drone pilots' mind on what drone would replace the Phantom drones, that have captured every domain of the drone industry through it's value for money and performance. Today's question is from Gary, who would like to know what drone is the go-to choice for pilots now that the Phantoms are being phased out and second hand drones are expensive. Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U mapping events and classes. We talk about some of the new changes we have made to our mapping classes and course curriculum to stay updated with some of the recent trends in the mapping industry such as going over new products for geo-referencing, geo-tagging, GPS and more. Visit our Drone U events page for more details on classes and courses. We start off today's show with why the Phantoms have become renowned for

Should you perform hand catching of drones? Are there practical benefits to it? Or does hand catching just amount to inviting unwarranted injuries? Hand catching a drone - You've possibly seen pilots doing this or seen a social media post of a horrific injury while performing the act but is hand catching really required? Should pilots follow them or is it an unsafe practice that should be avoided? Today, we answer everything we know about hand catching a drone and we would like to thank Tom who's question today is all about hand catching and if there are any benefits to performing them? Today's question is brought to you by the PROPS program, a program specifically designed, and caters to the needs of groups of pilots. It is ideally meant for team of pilots, and organizations that want multiple pilots to progress through their learning curve together. Props allows teams to monitor progress, manage and document learning and ensure a larger audience are progressing together. We start off today's show discuss

When approached by a government official claiming that I am flying illegally how do I explain myself? What precautions should I be taking to address such scenarios? Today's podcasts is flight regulations and airspace approvals. Our question for today is from Frank who was questioned by a government employee who claimed Frank was flying illegally around a lake and dam. Frank had used all FAA's tools and ensured he was well within the law but Frank would like to know how pilots can address such scenarios and what are the best practices for Pilots to follow to stay within legal requirements of drone flights. We answer Frank's question by first addressing the ambiguity of whether drone regulations can be enforced by local governing bodies and what current Drone laws state. A strong emphasis in our response is on the recent status of drone regulations across the US and how laws are being enforced. We discuss the role of local agencies and responsibilities that Drone pilots should be aware of to steer clear of dro

Can you share key learnings from Drone U Experience Training? Today's podcasts is all about the recently concluded Drone U's Experience training and we share all the highlights, learnings and our experience from the training. We start off by sharing top insights from the training focusing first on the location, the team and the environment and discussing how the natural set up of the location helped students hone their skills in flight control. We also discuss key highlights from student experience on the training and how Scott, one of our students at the training, was able to constantly improve his learning navigating through all the challenges day in and out and how constant presence of instructors assisted him in clearing and clarifying his questions. Next we discuss important topics that came up during the Experience training including DJI's product line up and how newer drones are actually doing less to improve flight performance but priced much higher than their predecessors while delivering lower va

What are NFTs? Are they worth exploring to a drone pilot? Today's question is from Tom who is looking to learn all about the latest sensation in the crypto world, Non Fungible Tokens or commonly known as NFTs. Tom would like to know about them and how one can get started with creating and selling NFTs We start today's episode by jumping straight into what NFTs are all about and what it means to drone pilots and other users alike. We discuss common pitfalls of the technology while also going over marketplaces to create and sell NFTs along with discussion on the inherent value of NFTs and if they mean anything to the end user. We also discuss new market offerings from marketplaces and companies such as Coinbase and talk about future of NFTs. Tune in to learn more about NFTs and what value they hold for you. 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:

With multiple software packages available in the drone industry, how do pilots decide on using one? Today's question is from Felipe on how pilots can choose a particular software, considering there are many options available for a single application in the drone industry. Pilots today are spoilt for choices on using drone software for a particular application leading to complex purchasing decisions and the follow up learning curve with these softwares for related business deliveries. We address this very important question for pilots today, going over the many softwares that are available and how you can choose one over the other. We start off today's episode introducing Drone U's mindmap for navigating the drone industry landscape giving pilots a clear career path to pursue as they progress through their development. The mindmap has been shared on the Drone U community and we are sharing the map for our podcast viewers. We then briefly discuss how the combination of flight skills, software and having a co

What do we know of the Inspire 3 launch? What spec and features can we expect? Today's question is from Marshall who has 2 questions for us - He would like to know what we know about the Inspire 3 and why we are moving our HQ to Colorado. We start of today's episode by answering Marshall's question on our move, from New Mexico to Colorado, and highlight our rationale to do so. We discuss what we intend to have and how these will help future drone pilots taking Drone U courses. We also highlight how the drone industry is poised for growth and how we wanted to be at the centre of it. Tune in to hear more details on our move, the search for a suitable home and all that Drone U has planned for the future. We then delve into Inspire 3 launch rumours and how these have peaked in recent times with DJI launching a slew of drones in the recent past and the need for pushing new features and technology advancement in the market. We talk of expected features such as specifications, camera features, new technology and a

Washington State announces legislation on certified pilots having to register their drone with the state? Is it legal? How should pilots react? Today's question is from Laska, about Washinton State's new legislation requiring certified part 107 drone pilots to register drones with the state. She would like to know how to deal with this legislation and what pilots should make of it. Today's podcast directly addresses the frequent state vs federal legislation situation that pilots have faced ever so often. Is Washington state's legislation on drone registration relevant for drone pilots considering all of drone regulation is covered federally through the FAA? We address common questions around this topic - should pilots expect other states to follow Washington state in this new legislation? Should state attempt to generate revenue from such legislation ? possible reaction from drone advocacy groups, and how we as drone pilots can stay up-to-date on drone laws using Drone U's drone advocacy kit. Stay updated

Where can I find Inspire 1 batteries and how can I assess their performance? Today's question is from Jonathan, who has recently purchased a used Inspire 1 along with accessories and batteries but is finding the batteries being unable to hold their charge during flights and would like to know where one can find Inspire 1 batteries and how one can assess them. We first answer Jonathan's question if the Inspire 1 batteries he possesses have any life left in them. We then talk where he can find Inspire 1 batteries and if 9 marketplaces like Amazon and Ebay are worth utilizing for purchasing an Inspire 1 battery. We delve into 2 important aspects of drone batteries that pilots need to know about and share the hack of rental services that allow pilots to rent batteries prior to purchasing them thereby allowing pilots to validate and check a battery before spending $$ on them. Watch this short and quick podcast covering important aspects of drone batteries that will help you avoid the anxiety of purchasing batte

What are the best practices to put together Isotopes' Cinewhoop shots? How can pilots plan such shots? Today's question is from Tom, who wants to know how pilots can put together Cinewhoop shots and what goes into planning and execution of such shots. We are fortunate to have performed a Cinewhoop production video for a local baseball club Isoptoes and happy to answer Tom's question today straight from our hands-on experience of performing a shoot. We start our response by highlighting GoPro's latest camera with superior stabilization than its predecessor models and how it has been designed for Cinewhoop videos. We then delve directly into Tom's question by first talking about what cinewhoop entails and the legalities around such shots. We discuss how pilots need to plan flight plans and equipment for a perfect shot and this is critical in the overall success for a production shot. We then delve into specifics of how Paul landed a Cinewhoop project for Isoptopes, a local baseball club, and how he went abou