Ask Drone U
722 episodes - English - Latest episode: 25 days ago - ★★★★ - 414 ratingsWe’re Drone U, a group of guys who have turned their passion for flight into a profitable business. We love hearing from our fans, and we love helping by answering their questions. That’s why we started the Ask Drone U podcast in 2015. Since then, we are one of the largest, most popular DAILY drone podcasts out there. Each episode features an actual question submitted from someone just like you! We wish we could answer everyone’s question(s), but we’ll do our best to get through as many of them as we can. So plug in those headphones because it’s time to learn together about everything drone: FAA, insurance, business strategies, videography, drone tips, flight techniques, drone tricks, expert advice, cameras, gimbals, and so much more. #askdroneu
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Episodes
ADU 01153: Drone Industry Predictions for 2021 – DJI Mavic 3, Micro-Drones, Drone Conferences, DJI News and Much, Much More…
January 04, 2021 11:27 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBIn 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? What about the DJI Mavic 3? And, are there any in...
ADU 01152: DJI Mavic Mini 2 or DJI Mavic Air 2 – Which is the Best Drone For Creating Social Media Content?
January 01, 2021 17:02 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBToday'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...
ADU 01151: Which is The Most Affordable Drone Camera with Regular (EO) and Thermal Capabilities?
January 01, 2021 07:53 - 8 minutes - 7.62 MBToday'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 Inspi...
ADU 01150: Best Drones for Law Enforcement – Tips for Building a Successful Drone Program
December 10, 2020 06:50 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBToday'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 to...
BONUS: Drone News – DJI’s New FPV Drone Leaked, Police Drones, More Trouble for DJI
December 09, 2020 18:24 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBDJI'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 g...
BONUS: Drone News – FAA Slaps a $185,000 Fine on Popular Philadelphia Drone Pilot and Youtuber, Will the FAA Make it Legal to Fly Drones in NYC?, DJI’s New FPV Drone
December 05, 2020 12:40 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBOur 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 ...
ADU 01149: Drone U Cyber Monday Sale – 3 Amazing Deals Available Now!
December 04, 2020 21:07 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBIf you are a drone pilot keen on enhancing your skills, and massively scaling your business to the next level, then we have some great news for you. I will get to it in a minute. But first, a little background about Drone U, and why no other flight school comes close (even remotely) to what all we do How Can YOU Benefit By Joining Drone U? A trusted partner to some of the biggest and most iconic organizations NTSB and Tesla for starters. There are other equally large and reputed business...
ADU 01148: What Is Navigable Airspace and How It May Affect Drone U Pilots
December 03, 2020 15:31 - 43 minutes - 40 MBIn 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 governmen...
BONUS: Drone News – Win Your DJI Mavic Mini 2, Lay Offs at Amazon Prime Air, Arizona Drone Pilot Questioned for Filming the Black Lives Matter Movement
November 21, 2020 11:47 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBWin a DJI Mavic Mini 2 By Enrolling in Our Thanksgiving Giveaway, Lay Offs at Amazon Prime Air, Arizona Drone Pilot Questioned for Filming the BLM Movement, Latest Updates on the Drone Delivery Industry Our biggest story for today is about drone deliveries and Amazon Prime Air. Archaic drone laws have acted as huge a deterrent as the drone delivery industry as a whole has simply failed to take off. Many industry stakeholders had false hopes that things would take a turn for the better when ...
ADU 01147: UPDATE EPISODE – How Do I Renew My Part 107 Certificate During Corona Lockdown?
November 19, 2020 10:52 - 8 minutes - 7.93 MBToday's show is about renewing your Part 107 certificate in the wake of COVID. With most CATS centers shut down due to a second lockdown, how can drone pilots renew their Part 107 certificate? In normal circumstances, Part 107 pilots need to visit a testing center to renew their Part 107 certificate. However, this renewal procedure has changed in the wake of covid. With many areas announcing second lockdowns and with the FAA yet to issues any new directives, how can you remain current with...
ADU 01146: Why the DJI Mavic Mini 2 is the Best Drone That You Can Buy Your Kid
November 17, 2020 12:54 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBDrone Gift Ideas for Christmas |DJI Mavic Mini 2 Our question today is about the DJI Mavic Mini 2. You will learn why this newly launched, sub-250 gram micro-drone is the BEST drone that you can buy for your kids (PERIOD!). An ADU listener needs our help. He is thinking of buying a drone for his kid, and is totally confused by the myriad of options. So, what would you look for in a drone that you are buying as a gift for your kid? Ability to take great pictures? Safe to fly? Awesome featur...
ADU 01145: How Can I Get Approval To Fly In Controlled Airspace At Twilight?
November 12, 2020 09:09 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBToday's question is about getting your Wide Area Airspace Authorization (WAAS). Do you need WAAS if you are planning on flying in controlled airspace at twilight? Our caller for today, Kevin has come up with a great question that has not been asked on Ask Drone U before. Kevin's question is about getting approval to fly in controlled airspace at twilight. Recently, while flying a job for Amazon, Kevin was unable to get LAANC approval for the same. So, in this scenario, do you need to apply ...
ADU 01144: How Do I Speed Up Airspace Approval to Fly Near An Airport Without LAANC?
November 11, 2020 14:01 - 10 minutes - 9.47 MBToday's question is about getting airspace approval from an airport that is not LAANC-enabled. Our caller for today, Chris has a question about getting permission to fly near an airport without LAANC. As per the FAA, getting airspace approval from a non-LAANC enabled airport can take up to 90 days. Clearly, this is not a feasible timeframe for most drone pilots. So, is there any way to speed up the approval process? Paul reveals how cultivating relationships with the ATC can possibly help ...
ADU 01143: What is The Best Place to Get My Drone Fixed After a Crash?
November 11, 2020 13:34 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBToday's show is about fixing your drone after a crash. What is the best and most reliable place to get your drone fixed in event of a crash? Our caller for today, Jon bought a new Phantom 3 Advanced and crashed it soon after. Jon is looking for some recommendations to get his drone fixed. How can you figure out the extent of damage on your drone after a crash? Should you attempt to fix your drone at home? Or, is this something that you should leave to a retailer or technician? Additionally,...
BONUS: Drone News – DJI Mavic Mini 2 Review, Specs, DJI Mavic Mini vs. Mavic Mini 2, Drone Battery Maintenance
November 07, 2020 13:25 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBDJI Mavic Mini 2, DJI Mavic Mini 2 Specs, DJI Mavic Mini vs. Mavic Mini 2 Our biggest story this week is about the DJI Mavic Mini 2. DJI has launched this new drone which is a significant improvement over the original Mini. The new Mavic Mini 2 comes with 4K capabilities and Occusync - features originally found in more expensive drones like the Mavic 2 Pro. Additionally, Haye managed to get his hands on this new drone and compared the drone footage with the original Mini. Can you replace ...
ADU 01142: Do I Need to Worry About Getting Into a Vortex Ring State and Crashing My Drone?
November 06, 2020 06:34 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBDrone Crash | How To Avoid Getting into Vortex Ring State Today's question is about getting your drone into a vortex ring state and crashing your drone. As drone technology becomes more and more sophisticated, do you need to worry about getting into a vortex ring state at all? Our caller for today, Sean is a regular ADU listener and has listened to us talk about the dangers of getting your drone into a vortex ring state many times in the past. Now, Sean flies a Mavic 2 Pro, and he is wonder...
ADU 01141: Will the New Remote ID Rules Apply to Sub-250 Gram Drones Like the DJI Mavic Mini 2?
October 30, 2020 08:49 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBToday's quesiton is about drone remote id and micro-drones like the DJI Mavic Mini 2. Our caller for today, Adam has a question about Remote ID. If you are a regular ADU listener, you might be aware of this contentious issue that will greatly impact the drone industry as a whole. Now, Adam is wondering if he needs to comply with these restrictive remote-id rules at all if he flies a micro-drone weighing less than 250 grams. DJI recently launched the DJI Mavic Mini 2 which comes with 4K cap...
BONUS: Drone News – DJI Mavic Mini 2 Released!, Is it Safe to Fly the Skydio 2?, DJI Rumors, DJI News
October 29, 2020 11:38 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBDJI Mavic Mini 2 Released, Skydio 2 Safety Concerns, Drone Search and Rescue, DJI Rumors, DJI News Our biggest story this week is about the DJI Mavic Mini 2. Finally, drone pilots can get their hands on this much-awaited drone. Weighing less than 250 grams like its predecessor, the DJI Mavic Mini 2 packs some awesome features under its minuscule structure. The Mavic Mini 2 comes with 4K capabilities and Occusync 2.0. On the face of it, the DJI Mavic Mini 2 seems too good to be true. The fact...
ADU 01140: What Kind of Drone Mapping Deliverables Can I Offer Without Scale Constraints and GCP’s?
October 22, 2020 13:20 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBToday's question is about drone mapping. What are some deliverables that you can offer without scale constraints and GCP's? Our caller for today, Marc has come up with a great question about drone mapping. Specifically, Marc is wondering if there are any drone mapping uses that do not require the use of GCP's and scale constraints. As you may be aware, marking GCP's requires expensive GPS equipment costing thousands of dollars. Can you venture into drone mapping even if you are not in a posi...
ADU 01139: Are Large Organizations Hiring DSP’s for Drone Mapping?
October 20, 2020 07:07 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBToday's question is about drone mapping opportunities for DSP's in large organizations. Are large organizations more prone to training in-house drone teams? Our caller for today, Michael has a question about drone mapping. Specifically, Michael is wondering if large businesses are prone to hiring drone service providers for their mapping jobs or not. Are large organizations more likely to develop their in-house drone teams? Whether you are thinking of getting into drone mapping or an establ...
ADU 01138: Can I Use Drone Mapping For Digital Reconstruction of Historical Buildings and Streets?
October 19, 2020 05:44 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBToday's question is about using drone mapping for digitally recreating historical buildings and streets. Our caller, Robert has come up with a unique question that has not been asked on ADU before. Robert's question is about digital reconstruction. Robert is wondering if he can use drone mapping to digitally recreate the old era via visual story-telling. Certainly, this is an excellent idea. Visual story-telling is one of the best ways to preserve our history and culture. But, is this even ...
BONUS: Drone News – Skydio Promoting Unsafe Flight?, Casey Neistat’s Skydio 2 Video, Autel Evo 2 with RTK, DJI Ronin RS2 and Ronin RSC2
October 17, 2020 19:42 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBOur biggest story is about Skydio 2. When Skydio came out with the Skydio 2 after the Skydio R1 last year, many thought that the American manufacturer could be the DJI alternative that many were waiting for. But, Skydio's marketing language and strategy off late is not befitting of an industry leader that is aspiring to be. From filming a marketing video in Yellowstone National Park to promoting fully autonomous flights, we discuss Skydio's latest industry moves. Tune in and let us know what...
ADU 01137: Pricing Strategies to Help Drone Pilots Get What They Rightly Deserve
October 16, 2020 07:37 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBToday's show is about pricing strategies for drone pilots. How can you negotiate with a client, and avoid getting underpaid for your services? Our caller for today, John is just starting out. Luckily, he managed to bag a huge drone job which involves taking aerial shots, drone mapping, and creating progression reports. What are the typical rates for such deliverables? What are some pricing strategies that John should follow to get what he truly deserves? Great question. And one that drone p...
ADU 01136: How Do I Deal With Dishonest Clients Who Refuse to Pay Up?
October 15, 2020 11:09 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBToday's question is about dealing with unscrupulous clients who refuse to pay up. Are there any legal steps that you can take that will force your client to pay up even after you deliver your drone footage? Our caller, Roy from Salt Lake City has come up with a question that has not been asked on ADU before. His client is refusing to pay up even though he is using Roy's copyrighted images to market his business. Not surprisingly, the client is avoiding Roy's calls and refusing to respond bac...
BONUS: Drone News – More Updates on the DJI Mavic Mini 2, DOD Releases List of Government-Approved Drones, Drones For STEM Education
October 10, 2020 13:20 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBDJI Mavic Mini 2 Important Updates, DOD Releases List of Approved Drone Manufacturers in Their Blue sUAS Program, Drones for Environmental Conservation, Drones for Good Our biggest story this week is about the National Defense Authorization Act which bans the use of "Chinese Drones" for federal use. Now, DOD has released a list of approved drone manufacturers courtesy of their Blue sUAS program, and drone manufacturer's like ANAFI and Skydio have made the cut. Ironically, while these drones...
BONUS: Drone News – DJI Mavic Mini 2 Updates, DJI’s New FPV Drone, Flying BVLOS with The Skydio 2
October 09, 2020 13:30 - 5 MBDJI Mavic Mini 2 Updates, Skydio 2 For Drone Mapping?, FireFighting Drones, DJI News, DJI Rumors Our biggest story this week is about the DJI Mavic Mini 2. Regular ADU listeners might recall that last week we had shared some industry reports which revealed how DJI was planning to come out with a 4K-enabled, DJI Mavic 2. Apparently drone billionaire and DJI boss, Frank Wong is unhappy with the video quality on the DJI's sub-250 gram drone, the Mini. In today's show, we share some more updates...
ADU 01135: What are Some of the Biggest Lessons I Learned After Crashing My Drone? Rob Shares His Experience!
October 08, 2020 09:39 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBToday's show is about drone crashes. Specifically, ADU co-host, Rob shares how he ended up crashing his drone last week, and some of the biggest lessons that he learned from this. After so many years of hosting ADU, the flying bug has finally bit Rob. Last week, Rob was our flying in beautiful New Mexico when he crashed his Mavic 2 Pro into a tree. In today's show, Rob shares his experience and reveals some of the biggest lessons that he learned from this experience. Towards the end, Paul c...
BONUS: Drone News – National Defense Authorization Act to Ban Chinese Drones, Huge Surge in Drone Deliveries Due to COVID, How Archaic Drone Laws are Hurting the Industry
October 02, 2020 10:56 - 32 minutes - 30 MBOur biggest story this week is about the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. This act will ban the use of Chinese drones as well as Chinese-made drone parts for federal use. The passage of this act will not just affect DJI but also other popular manufacturers like Skydio, 3DR and GoPro. With manufacturing being the Chinese's strong suit, do you think that this ban is a wise move? Do you think an American competitor can step up to cater to the needs of the drone industry? Our next story ...
ADU 01134: What Should I Do To Get Started in Drone Mapping?
September 29, 2020 13:53 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBStep-By-Step Workflow for Getting Starting in Drone Mapping Today's question is about drone mapping. How can you learn the nuances of this field and scale up your drone business to another level? Our caller for today, Jaime is thinking of venturing into drone mapping for the construction industry. Wise decision. Especially, after COVID, demand for drone mapping and modeling has gone through the roof. Today, Jaime has some interesting questions about drone mapping software. Specifically, wh...
ADU 01133: Is There a Unique Way for Federal Employees to Unlock Their DJI Drone?
September 28, 2020 07:56 - 5 MBToday's show is about federal employees who wish to unlock their DJI drones. Our caller for today, Sid has a question about unlocking DJI drones. Specifically, Sid is wondering if DJI has any mechanism that will allow federal employees to unlock DJI drones. In today's show, you will learn about DJI's Qualified Entity Program (QEP) for public safety officials. Additionally, we also discuss if Sid can get rid of geo-fencing and fly in Atti mode by simply hacking his drone. Thanks for the gre...
BONUS: Drone News – The All-New DJI Mavic Mini 2, DJI Mavic 3 Release Date, Osmo Action 2 and Osmo Pocket 2 Rumors, Drone Delivery Updates, DJI Rumors
September 27, 2020 07:05 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBDJI to release an all-new Mavic Mini 2, DJI Pushes Back Release Date for the Mavic 3, Learn About the Osmo Action 2 and Osmo Pocket 2, Drone News, DJI News, DJI Rumors Our biggest story this week is about the DJI Mavic Mini 2. The original sub-250 gram DJI Mavi Mini is an engineering marvel that was quite well received by the drone community. The compact nature of this drone coupled with great affordability has certainly contributed to the success of this drone. However, one sore point was t...
BONUS: Drone News – Remote ID Set to Roll Out in 2020, NYC Drone Laws Update, Drone Helicopter Crash
September 24, 2020 13:22 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBOur biggest story this week is about drone remote ID. Regular DU followers might recall that FAA's NPRM attracted more than 50,000 comments from concerned industry stakeholders. However, it seems that the FAA is planning to go ahead with a restrictive drone remote ID as planned. In his talk at the Commercial UAV Expo, FAA's Steve Dickson shared how FAA plans to introduce drone remote ID by the end of 2020. Our next story is about flying drones in NYC. As you might be aware, an old avigation ...
ADU 01132: Which is the Best and Most Affordable GPS Solution for Drone Mapping?
September 23, 2020 06:43 - 5 MBToday's question is about the best GPS solutions for drone mapping. Is there an accurate GPS solution that does not burn a hole in your pocket? Our caller for today, Andy is drone mapper who has a question about GCP solutions. Specifically, Andy does not wish to spend thousands of dollars to purchase a GPS system. Yet, he does not wish to compromise on accuracy. So, what are some affordable GPS solutions that are a good fit for Andy? In today's show, we reveal the GPS solution that we, at D...
ADU 01131: Can I Take Off From a Restricted Area If I Do So From “Mid-Air”?
September 21, 2020 13:46 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MBOur question for today is about flying in restricted airspace. Our caller, Fred has come up with a creative possibility for flying in restrictive airspace. While we know that the law does not permit us to fly in restricted airspace, what if we take off from mid-air? Are there any loopholes that let you legally fly in restricted airspace? Tune in for another fun and informative show of Ask Drone U. Thanks for ingenious question, Fred. Fly Safe! Whether you are just getting started or lookin...
ADU 01130: Why Should I Bother Learning to Fly in Atti Mode At All?
September 17, 2020 10:12 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBMain Benefits of Flying in Atti Mode Today's show is about flying in Atti mode. When you can away by flying in GPS mode, why should you bother learning to fly in Atti mode at all? Our caller for today, Earl from Texas is into drone photography and videography. Earl hates flying in Atti mode. He shares that he is able to grab some great footage while flying in P-mode or GPS-mode. And sees no reason to master flying in Atti mode. So, what are some of the main reasons that a drone pilot shoul...
BONUS: Drone News – Is This the New DJI Mavic 3?, Walmart to Commence Drone Deliveries, Ronin RS2 Release Date and Specs
September 15, 2020 17:21 - 22 minutes - 21.3 MBOur first story for today is about the DJI Mavic 3. Drone enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for DJI to release an all-new Mavic. Recently, there were some "DJI Mavic 3" images being circulated on the internet. But is this really the DJI Mavic 3? Tune in to find out what Paul and Haye have to say about this. Additionally, we also reveal some latest industry news which has impacted the release date for the DJI Mavic 3. You will learn how the current US-China standoff is impacting the world's lar...
ADU 01129: As Per Part 107, Is there a Minimum Age Requirement for a VO (Visual Observer)?
September 12, 2020 05:07 - 8 minutes - 7.41 MBToday's show is about visual observers (VO). Does Part 107 mandate a minimum age for a Visual Observer? Our caller for today, Jay is a Part 107 certified pilot. He wants to know if he can get his boys along as VO's when he is out flying. As per Part 107, is there a minimum legal age for VO's (Visual Observer)? Great question, Jay. Taking your kids as VO's is a great way of introducing them to the joys of flying. We reveal the Part 107 rules in this short but informative show. Additionally, ...
BONUS: Is Prism, the new Commercial Drone Platform by Watts Innovation the DJI Alternative that the Industry Has Been Waiting For?
September 12, 2020 04:28 - 5 MBToday's show is a special one as we are joined by Watts Innovation founder, Bobby Watts. Bobby shares some detailed information about his new commercial drone platform - the Prism, an all-American product that comes with variable propulsions and flexible payloads. Prism is a "Transformer Drone" that can be flown both as a quad and as a co-axial setup. When you transform this bird from a quad to a co-axial set-up, you can increase the maximum takeoff weight from 35 pounds to 55 pounds. Additi...
ADU 01128: How Can I Use 3D Models to Inspect Rebar Walls?
September 11, 2020 13:03 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBDrones in Construction | Using 3D Models for Inspecting Rebars Today's question is about using drones in construction. Can you build accurate drone models for inspecting steel rebars? Our caller for today, Jon is using a Phantom 4 Pro to map a construction site. He wants to know the best mapping workflow so that the steel rebars can be accurately inspected by the project management team. To help Jon out, we first reveal some expert data acquisition tips. Will a orbital flight help you capt...
ADU 01127: How Much Should I Plan Before I Start Offering My Drone Services?
September 09, 2020 05:51 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBToday's show is about starting a drone business. How can you come up with a proper business plan to maximize your chances of success? Our caller for today, Forrest is keen to start his drone business after recently passing his Part 107 test. Now, Forrest is a perfectionist and a compulsive planner who prefers to get all his ducks in a row before embarking on a new venture. But, while planning is necessary, over-thinking leads to "analysis-paralysis" - and sometimes you fail to even get off t...
BONUS: Drone News – The All-New Freefly Astro Drone, Flying Drones in NYC, NYC Drone Laws, Non-Compliance
September 07, 2020 10:56 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBSneak-Peek - The New Freefly Astro Drone, Flying Drones in NYC, Drone Industry Updates, Ban on Chinese Drones Our biggest story this week is about the all-new Freefly Astro drone. Freefly is known for its super-expensive and heavily-engineered Alta series of drones which are used mainly in big productions. Now, it is heartening to note that this American drone manufacturer has decided to target a wider audience with their new Astro drone. But, are the specs on this new drone comparable (or ...
BONUS: Drone News – FAA Approves Amazon For Drone Deliveries, The New DJI Ronin RS2, Part 107 Renewal During COVID, Drones for Accident Reconstruction
September 02, 2020 18:21 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBDrone Deliveries Finally Set to Take Flight As Amazon Gets FAA's Approval, DJI All Set to Launch the All-New DJI Ronin RS2, Drones for Predicting Hurrican Behavior, Drones for Accident Reconstruction, Part 107 Renewal During COVID Our biggest story this week is about drone deliveries. Archaic drone regulations have prevented drone deliveries from truly taking off in the United States. While countries like Africa have been quick to realize the benefits of this technology, drone deliveries in...
ADU 01126: How has Drone Mapping and 3D Modeling Evolved in the Wake of COVID?
September 01, 2020 12:16 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MBToday's call is about drone mapping opportunities in the wake of COVID. What sort of opportunities have opened up in the wake of COVID? And what steps can you take to make the most of the current situation? Our caller for today, Jim is interested in taking the Drone U Comprehensive Mapping Class. Moreover, he is wondering if he will be better off attending our in-person class. Great question! Drone uses such as interactive modeling and inspections have seen a huge spurt after the virus brok...
BONUS: Drone News – The All-New DJI Ronin RS2, DJI FPV Drone Under $1000, Drone Crash with Air Force One?, DJI Skydio Twitter War, More DJI News
August 25, 2020 06:29 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBWe have some exciting drone news lined up for you this week. Our biggest story this week is about the all-new DJI Ronin RS2. Last week, our good friend and drone pilot, Osita LV shared some images on his Twitter account which suggest that a new DJI gimbal, the Ronin RS might be in the works. The DJI Ronin has a loyal following not just among aerial photographers but also among ground photogaphers. Now, the latest industry reports suggest that after the Ronin S and the compact Ronin SC, DJI i...
ADU 01125: What is the Difference Between Relative and Absolute Accuracy in Mapping?
August 21, 2020 07:02 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBToday's question is about the difference between relative accuracy and absolute accuracy in drone mapping and modeling. Our caller for today. James is a professional mapper from Australia. James question is about the difference between relative accuracy and absolute accuracy. Do you need both relative accuracy and absolute accuracy for building drone maps and models? To answer this question, we first explain the difference between relative accuracy and absolute accuracy in simple terms. Nex...
ADU 01124: How to Measure Mapping Obstacles (MOCA) in Highly Dense Areas
August 19, 2020 05:14 - 5 MBToday's show is about calculating MOCA. Can you correctly measure MOCA with the terrain awareness feature in Maps Made Easy? Our caller for today, William is using Maps Made Easy as his drone mapping software. Now, William is flying in an area with dense and tall vegetation. How can William correctly measure the MOCA and ensure a safe drone flight? For folks who are new to mapping, Paul explains the concept of MOCA (Minimum Obstacle Clearance Avoidance). Next, you will learn the correct way...
ADU 01123: Which GPS System Should I Use in Sierra Leone, Africa?
August 17, 2020 12:49 - 16 minutes - 15 MBRecommended GPS Systems for Use in Sierra Leone, Africa Today's question is about the best GPS systems for use in Sierra Leone, Africa. Our caller for today, Rakiatu is from Sierra Leone, Africa. Rakiatu wishes to start a drone mapping business in her hometown and is wondering which is the best GPS system for her. Can the right GPS system enable Rakiatu to procure accurate mapping data in Africa? Great question, Rakiatu. The different RTK and PPK GPS systems that professional mappers typic...
ADU 01122: Can I Fly Above a 450 Feet Building in Class B Airspace?
August 13, 2020 13:18 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBToday's show is about flying your drone over tall buildings in Class B Airspace. Can you breach the 400 feet ceiling if you are flying directly over a tall building? Our caller for today, John wishes to fly above a 450 feet building in Miami in Class B Airspace. Do the drone laws permit John to do so? And, can he get into trouble if he breaches the upper shelf of Class B airspace? Tune in to this informative show now! Hone your drone skills by signing up for one of our webinars or online cl...
ADU 01121: How Do I Determine the Commercial Viability of a New Drone Business?
August 12, 2020 09:59 - 5 MBToday's show is about starting a new drone business. How can you conduct a thorough market validation exercise, and discover if it is worth investing in new business? Our caller for today, Jose is an army man on the verge of retirement. Jose is keen to start a UAV business once he commences his civilian life. Considering his background and all the critical skills that he has picked up over the years, what industry verticals should he target? How can he research the market and discover indust...
BONUS: Drone News – Parrot Targets DJI, Impact of COVID on Drone Industry, Illegal drone flights and TFR’s, Drone Sprayers
August 08, 2020 14:43 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBOur biggest story this week is about the French drone manufacturer, Parrot.While promoting their latest launch, Parrot targeted DJI on the topic of data security. Regular ADU listeners might recall that the NY Times had recently pointed out security weaknesses in DJI's Android app. But, is there any credence to these reports? Should you worry about data security if you are not connected to the internet? If you are a DJI pilot and are interested in this topic, you might want to check out our ...