Your Drone Questions. Answered.

In this week’s episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Will Dawson, attorney and founder of the Agricultural Drone Initiative (ADI), to explore how new federal policies could shape the future of agricultural drone use in the U.S.Will shares his journey from growing up on a seven-generation farm in Virginia to leading national advocacy for smarter drone regulations. Together, they unpack the ongoing DJI policy debate, the misconceptions around drone bans, and what these changes could mean for farmers, manufacturers, and policymakers alike.You’ll learn:Why ADI was created to bridge the gap between farmers and lawmakersThe real number of agricultural drone operators in the U.S.How the 2025 NDAA and DJI restrictions could affect drone availabilityWhat buyback programs and American-made alternatives like Hylio might look likeHow smarter drone policy can protect both innovation and national security👉 Learn more about the Agricultural Drone Initiative at https://agdroneinitiative.org/ 👉 Submit your questions for future episodes at ydqa.io or email chris@dronelaunchacademy.com

Welcome back to Your Drone Questions. Answered, brought to you by Drone Launch Academy! This week, we’re diving into a listener-suggested topic: GNSS post-processing services. If you’re flying mapping missions and need to establish accurate base station coordinates for your PPK (post-processed kinematic) workflow, services like OPUS and Trimble CenterPoint RTX can be game-changers.In this episode, I break down:What GNSS post-processing services are and why they matter for drone pilotsA comparison between OPUS (NGS/NOAA, U.S.) and Trimble CenterPoint RTXLogging best practices (intervals, duration, and timing of uploads)Key limitations, including constellation support and receiver compatibilityPractical advice on when and how to use these services in your workflowWe’ll also touch on how these tools compare to other correction methods like RTK networks, and why understanding what’s happening “behind the scenes” is valuable when evaluating cloud-based processing platforms.🎧 For more background on RTK vs. PPK workflows, check out Episode 101 of the show.🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:https://geodesy.noaa.gov/OPUS/https://trimblertx.com/Home.aspx

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Brandon Beal from Elevation Aerial Application to explore how UAV spraying drones are changing the future of agriculture. 🌱Brandon shares his journey from aviation into agriculture, explains how drones like the DJI T40 opened up scalable opportunities for farm spraying, and discusses the real-world impact drones are having on tree farms, row crops, and pastureland in Virginia.We dive into:Why drones are more effective than traditional spraying methods in tough terrainHow UAVs reduce reliance on migrant labor while boosting consistencyThe business case for spraying 50 acres an hourThe future of ag drones in the U.S. amid changing regulations and technologyWhether you’re a farmer, drone pilot, or just curious about the intersection of UAVs and agriculture, this conversation is packed with insights into where the industry is heading.👉 Connect with Brandon and Elevation Aerial Application on LinkedIn and social media.https://www.elevationaerialapplication.com/brandon@elevationaerialapplication.comhttps://agdroneinitiative.org/ 👉 Got a drone question for us? Submit it at ydqa.io

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with drone repair and FPV expert Wade Holbrook to explore the world of DIY repairs and custom builds.We cover:The easiest, most common drone repairs pilots can do themselvesMust-have tools and parts to keep in your go bag for fieldworkHow learning to solder can save you time (and money) on the jobThe pros and cons of building custom drones vs. buying off-the-shelf modelsInsights into open-source platforms, coding, and UI challengesReal-world stories of repairs that saved entire missionsWhether you’re a commercial pilot, hobbyist, or curious about building your own drone, this episode will give you practical advice and inspiration to get hands-on with your gear.🔗 Learn more about Wade and DSLR Pros: https://www.dslrpros.com 💡 Got a drone question for a future episode? Visit ydqa.io

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, Chris breaks down one of the most common sources of confusion for new drone operators: When do you really need a Remote Pilot Certificate under FAA rules?Chris walks through:FAA registration requirements and how they compare to Transport CanadaThe role of intent in determining whether an operation is recreational or non-recreationalRemote ID requirements for both micro drones and larger dronesPractical scenarios, including flying under supervision, training before certification, and nonprofit use casesIf you’re trying to figure out where the line is drawn—or what applies if you’re using a sub-250g drone like the DJI Mini series—this episode clears up the gray areas.https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_dronehttps://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyershttps://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2020-06/2019-2020-AA-33_INFOGRAPHIC_EN_V8.pdf

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, Chris sits down with David Arnold from Bearing Insurance to break it all down from an agent’s perspective. David shares stories (including a drone nearly being shot out of the sky!), explains common exclusions in homeowners and commercial policies, and gives practical advice on how to protect yourself, your equipment, and your business.Whether you’re flying recreationally or running a drone business, this conversation will help you understand:-What liability vs. physical damage coverage really means-How hobbyists can (or can’t) rely on homeowners policies-When a standalone drone policy makes sense-Why umbrella coverage might be the smartest investment you can makehttps://www.bearinginsurance.com/darnold@bearinginsurance.com

In this week’s episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Benton Szejk from Wingtra to talk about where the drone industry is headed.With all the uncertainty around regulations, supply chains, tariffs, and evolving executive orders, many drone pilots and professionals are wondering: what’s next? Benton shares insights from the manufacturer’s perspective on:-The impact of the Blue and Green lists for drone certification-Supply chain challenges and how Wingtra is preparing for the future-Recent executive orders and what they mean for UAS policy in the U.S.-Key features needed for BVLOS operations-Wingtra’s latest technology, including obstacle avoidance, LTE connectivity, and AI-powered tools-How drones are being used for mapping, surveying, environmental monitoring, and even public safetyWhether you’re a drone operator, educator, or just passionate about the future of UAS, this episode offers encouragement and practical insights into what’s ahead for the industry.https://wingtra.comhttps://wingtra.com/ray/ https://info.duncan-parnell.com/acton/media/23538/WingtraRAY-Roadshow

In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, Chris dives into the current state of play with DJI drones in the U.S. — from the impact of the 2025 NDAA to the inconsistent enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Drawing on years of experience in drone distribution, Chris shares behind-the-scenes insights on customs delays, shipment inconsistencies, and what this could mean for drone buyers, businesses, and hobbyists alike.We’ll cover:-Why DJI shipments have been unpredictable since late 2024-How U.S. customs enforcement is affecting availability of enterprise vs. consumer drones-What the upcoming NDAA security review deadline means for future DJI models-Practical advice for those considering a DJI purchase now vs. waiting-The role of advocacy groups in shaping the future of drone accessIf you use DJI drones for work or recreation, or are thinking about starting a drone business, this episode will help you understand the risks, timelines, and possible scenarios ahead.📌 Resources Mentioned:https://viewpoints.dji.com/blog/navigating-u.s.-customs-demonstrating-djis-commitment-to-ethical-production-labor-practices https://viewpoints.dji.com/blog/dont-ground-innovation-the-real-world-cost-of-banning-dji-in-the-u.shttps://droneadvocacyalliance.com/take-action/* We apologize for the audio quality issues

In this episode, David teams up with licensed land surveyor and aerial mapping expert Michael Detwiler to break down how to assess the accuracy of your drone mapping projects—step by step.Using real-world data from two WingtraOne Gen II drone flights (including a park survey and an orange grove redevelopment), they review:-How to interpret accuracy reports from Wingtra and Pix4D-What RMS error means in practice—and why it matters-How many GCPs and checkpoints you really need-Common pitfalls in ground control and image calibration-Why PPK-enabled drones like Wingtra can drastically improve accuracyWhether you're a beginner learning the ropes or an experienced mapper refining your process, this conversation offers practical insights into how to evaluate and improve your mapping results.📍 Tools used: WingtraOne Gen II, Wingtra Ground Kit, Pix4D Cloud, Global Mapper🎯 Best for: Drone mappers, land surveyors, photogrammetry professionals🛠️ Learn how to build confidence in your data—and know what’s “good enough” for survey-grade deliverables.

In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, host Chris Breedlove welcomes Troy Walton and Susan Cohen from the Carolina Drone Lab at UNC Chapel Hill to explore the complex realities of using drones for natural resources and environmental management.Topics include:Navigating drone regulations and approval chains on military basesAdapting to shifting drone compliance lists (Blue List, Green List, NDAA rules)Tool selection challenges and the rising cost of specialized equipmentInterdisciplinary collaborations with agencies like the EPA, NASA, Forest ServiceInternational research experiences in the Amazon and GalápagosStudent involvement, drone racing, and community engagement at UNChttps://tarheels.live/drones/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kzqh1l17Hg