Your Drone Questions. Answered.

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 

How does Crew Resource Management (CRM) — a core aviation principle — apply to drone teams in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry? In this episode, host Chris Breedlove welcomes Aaron Varnau from WithersRavenel to explore the real-world application of CRM in daily drone operations.Aaron shares his journey from studying Unmanned Aerial Systems at Purdue to coordinating remote sensing crews. He breaks down how CRM helps teams:-Avoid costly mistakes through clear roles and communication-Manage high-stress drone missions (like flying near manned aircraft)-Stay safe and effective in extreme conditions like summer heat-Maintain checklists, battery care, flight logs, and airspace coordination-Train new pilots for field readiness — not just test scores* We apologize for the audio quality issues on the host's side. 

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove talks with Josh Matheson from Duke University’s Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab. They explore how affordable, off-the-shelf drones like the DJI Phantom and Mavic series are being used in groundbreaking science—from tracking elephant health in Zambia, to monitoring shark behavior with AI, to modeling oyster reefs and 3D mapping seals and whales.Josh shares real-world stories of students and researchers using consumer drones to collect high-quality scientific data, proving that you don’t need a $30K drone to do meaningful work. This episode highlights how accessible tech, paired with creativity, is making cutting-edge research more inclusive and powerful than ever.🎓 Learn more about Duke’s drone lab https://marineuas.net/new/ 📩 Got a question for the show? Email chris@dronelaunchacademy.com

Discover how lightweight drones like the DJI Mini series are revolutionizing spatial AI and creating unprecedented opportunities for drone pilots worldwide!🎯 What You'll Learn:Why sub-250g drones are the secret weapon for urban mappingHow Spexi's standardized drone network has captured 3.5+ million acresThe regulatory advantages of micro drones in different countriesReal-world applications from emergency response to gaming/metaverseHow drone pilots are earning $300-600+ per day contributing to this networkOur expert guest is Alec Wilson, COO of Spexihttps://www.spexi.com/ai https://explorer.spexi.com/

Join host Chris Breedlove as he welcomes back Calvin Rikard, public safety specialist at Duncan -Parnell and former South Carolina Highway Patrol collision reconstruction expert, for a critical discussion about ground control points (GCPs) in drone surveying and documentation.What You'll Learn:✅ The shocking reality of how inaccurate drone data can be WITHOUT ground control points✅ Real case studies from major incident investigations (including a train crash and fatal collision)✅ The difference between ground control points and check points✅ Best practices for GCP placement and collection✅ Why the "3x accuracy rule" matters for your final deliverableshttps://www.duncan-parnell.com/public-safety/public-safety-solutions

Ever wondered how drones are transforming the way we inspect bridges?In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Dr. Joe Burgett from Clemson University to explore the role of drone technology in bridge inspection.What You'll Learn:✅ Why bridge inspections are federally mandated and critical for public safety✅ The difference between routine inspections and detailed inspections ✅ How drones eliminate the need for dangerous "Snooper trucks" and keep inspectors safe ✅ Two different approaches: expensive enterprise drones vs. multiple affordable units ✅ Real challenges of flying under bridges (GPS loss, wind, wildlife, fishing lines!) ✅ The future of digital twins for comprehensive bridge documentation ✅ How South Carolina DOT trained their entire bridge inspection teamConnect with Joe:Joe's Bio: https://www.clemson.edu/caac/about/facultybio.html?id=1805SCiDUC: https://www.sciduc.org/

Join host Chris Breedlove as he explores how drones are revolutionizing coastal environmental monitoring in Maine with Will Kochitzky, Assistant Professor at the University of New England.Key Topics Covered:Centimeter-scale mapping accuracy for coastal change detectionPre and post-storm documentation for FEMA applicationsMaine's proactive sea level rise legislation (1.5 feet by 2050, 3.9 feet by 2100)Equipment recommendations: DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise with RTK for photogrammetryInspired Flight 1200A with YellowScan Mapper for LiDAR applicationsSeasonal monitoring strategies to capture winter storm impactsThe importance of relative vs. absolute accuracy in environmental monitoringEpisode Links:https://www.une.edu/people/will-kochtitzkyhttps://iceandclimate.org/media/https://www.une.edu/magazine/2024-edition/mapping-and-revitalizing-maines-coastline