ADU 1388: Buy DJI or American drones before DJI ban?
whatshot 9 snips
Sep 17, 2025
Discover the implications of the upcoming DJI ban on drone pilots and the key deadlines to watch for. Explore valuable alternatives like the Freefly Astro and the Skydio X10 versus DJI Matrice 4T for inspections. Gain insights into the business case and ROI when considering different platforms, especially in Florida's evolving regulatory landscape. The discussion covers essential tips for navigating the changing drone market and what this means for your operations.
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insights INSIGHT
What The DJI Ban Actually Does
The NDAA sets a Dec 23, 2025 deadline that could add DJI and Autel to a covered list restricting future sales and imports.
Existing DJI drones will likely keep flying, but revocations or further rules are possible so risk isn't zero.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Student Landed High-Wage Mapping Job
A recent DroneU student attended mapping training and secured full-time, high-wage mapping work soon after.
Paul used that example to show the training-to-employment pipeline works in practice.
insights INSIGHT
NDAA Drones Unlock Contracts, Not Instant Revenue
NDAA-compliant drones open access to public-safety and federal contracts but those opportunities require time, relationships, and infrastructure.
Higher rates and stickier contracts exist, yet landing them is nontrivial and often competitive.
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What should you know about the FAA Part 108 and how can it impact your drone operations?
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In this episode, we break down what the DJI ban means for drone pilots and the key considerations to keep in mind before it takes effect. We tackle today’s big question—how to work around the ban—and explore alternatives like the Freefly Astro and Sitescan compared to DroneDeploy. You’ll hear insights on costs, profitability, and what the math really looks like when running your drone business. Finally, we share options for those who continue with DJI and wrap up with our top suggestions to prepare before the ban is in place.
Tune in to stay informed and ahead in the world of drones!
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Timestamps:
[1:24] - A summary of what the ban means for Drone pilots
[4:21] - what should pilots be considering before ban?
[7:15] - today's question on how to work around the DJI ban
[9:10] - Freefly Astro is a good replacement and cost involved
[16:10] - Is sitescan a viable option and comparison to DroneDeploy
[19:33] - The math behind cost and money making using your drone
[24:23] - What are the options for drone pilots who choose DJI
[31:00] - Summary of our suggestion for pilots before ban comes into place.