Your Drone Questions. Answered.

In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, join host John Dickow and special guest Michael Lilley, a chief pilot and mapping expert, as they dive into the world of drone mapping software. Discover the best mapping software to use for drones and gain insights into its various applications.Michael Lilley shares his expertise as a drone pilot, working both for a construction company and independently. He highlights the importance of drone mapping in various scenarios, including coastal surveys, land monitoring, and construction site progress reports. By capturing aerial images and creating ortho rectified photos, mapping software allows for accurate documentation and comparison over time.When it comes to drone mapping software, Michael recommends DroneDeploy and Pix4D. He explains how DroneDeploy, a user-friendly desktop-based software, enables him to retain control of his data and generate precise maps. Pix4D, on the other hand, offers the granularity he needs to mark ground control points accurately, ensuring top-level accuracy in his mapping projects.John and Michael discuss the simplicity of getting started with DroneDeploy, as it only requires uploading photos to the software. They also share a humorous encounter involving Michael's distinctive beard that led to a chance meeting with David Young, the founder of Drone Launch Academy.Don't miss this informative and entertaining episode where you'll gain valuable insights into the best mapping software for your drone projects. Subscribe to Your Drone Questions Answered for more expert advice and answers to your burning drone-related questions.

In this episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered"  David Young, founder of Drone Launch Academy, discusses the use of drones for cell tower inspections. He is joined by Sam McGuire from Field Sync, an expert in the field. They dive into the topic and provide valuable insights on how drones are revolutionizing cell tower inspections.Sam shares his background experience with drones and cell towers, highlighting the opportunities that arise from integrating traditional workforce with drone technology. They discuss the evolution of the market and the importance of tailoring workflows to gather and analyze data effectively.In the early days, tower inspections were limited to the perspective of climbers and involved manual assessments of equipment, connections, and potential safety hazards. However, with the introduction of drones, the process has become more efficient and safer. Drones provide a comprehensive 360-degree view of the tower, allowing for detailed analysis and identification of issues such as loose connections, damaged structures, or safety system deficiencies.The discussion delves into the concept of a digital twin, where drones capture high-quality visual data that can be used for 2D visual assessments or to create a complete digital representation of the tower. This digital twin approach enables advanced analytics and detailed reporting for a better understanding of the tower's condition and maintenance needs.Sam emphasizes the importance of compliance with network operators' requirements, insurance coverage, and necessary documentation when conducting cell tower inspections. He also mentions the availability of software tools like DroneDeploy and Pix4D, which offer tower-specific options for processing the collected data and generating accurate digital representations.If you're interested in learning more about drones and cell tower inspections, this episode provides a wealth of information and practical insights from industry experts.  Information on TIA 222- https://natehome.com/regulations-standards/standards/tia-222-g/

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this episode, our host John Dickow is joined by Ted Strazimiri, the founder of Sky Deploy UAS, a leading drone service provider. They delve into the topic of cut and fill calculations and explore how drones revolutionize this process.Ted shares his journey of starting Sky Deploy in 2017, driven by his passion for photography, aviation, and technology. Despite lacking a background in surveying, Ted leveraged available resources to teach himself the art of cut and fill calculations. He emphasizes the importance of gaining hands-on experience and focusing on the value of the data collected by drones.Throughout the conversation, Ted highlights the versatility of drones as a tool for various applications. From counting cars in parking lots to volume calculations for piles of sand or rocks, drones offer a unique perspective and aid in inspections. Ted's expertise lies in using photogrammetry, a technique that generates a point cloud and extracts measurements such as volume.In the traditional method, surveyors manually collect points using poles and high-accuracy GPS receivers. However, drones equipped with photogrammetry software offer a faster and more precise alternative. Ted explains how images captured by drones are processed using software like Pix4D Mapper, Open Drone Map (ODM), or DroneDeploy to create 3D models of the area of interest.The video concludes with Ted recommending tools like Pix4D Mapper and DroneDeploy, which have built-in measurement capabilities, as well as platforms like nera.app for visualizing and measuring 3D models generated from drone data.Join us for this informative episode as we explore the fascinating world of cut and fill calculations with drones. Don't miss out on the valuable insights and practical tips shared by Ted Strazimiri, a true expert in the field of drone technology!

The latest episode of the "Your Drone Questions. Answered" podcast is out! In this episode, our guest Sinuhe Montoya from Drone Quote joins David Young to discuss how drones are being used to revolutionize the solar installation process. They also dive into the inspection of existing solar panels using thermal equipment.Sinuhe Montoya, with over 10 years of experience in the residential solar and roofing industry, shares his insights on how drones have made a significant impact on data acquisition and overall efficiency. By using drones, he was able to gather the necessary information quickly and safely, resulting in improved sales. Sinuhe explains the typical process of installing solar panels on residential and commercial properties and highlights the challenges faced before drones became widely used.The conversation explores the advantages of using drones over satellite imagery, such as the ability to obtain up-to-date and high-resolution data. Sinuhe breaks down the process of collecting the required data using drones, which goes beyond simply taking pictures. He explains how the images are transformed into an ortho map, enabling detailed analysis and measurements. This information is then imported into design software, like Aurora, to calculate the impact of shade obstructions and determine the suitability of a roof for solar panels.Additionally, Sinuhe emphasizes the value of using drones for sales purposes. By inspecting the entire neighborhood from an aerial perspective, opportunities for solar installations can be identified more effectively. The conversation concludes with a brief discussion on thermal equipment for solar panel inspections, highlighting how temperature differences can indicate the health of individual cells or entire panels.Don't miss this informative episode that sheds light on the exciting role of drones in the solar industry! Subscribe to the Your Drone Questions Answered podcast for more insightful discussions and stay up to date with the latest advancements in drone technology.

Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered"! In this episode we interview our expert guest Glenn Dickow, a citizen member of the Town of Delavan Lake Committee in southern Wisconsin and a lake quality advocate. His mission is to address the water quality issues facing Lake Delavan and educate others who love the lake.In this episode, we explore how drones are used to support environmental initiatives, focusing specifically on Glenn's work with Lake Delavan. The drone provides a unique and new perspective for lake property owners and boaters, allowing them to see the lake from a different angle.Glenn explains that water quality is measured based on factors such as clarity and phosphorus levels. Excessive phosphorus from surrounding farmland can lead to the growth of plants and algae, eventually harming the lake ecosystem. To address this issue, Glenn highlights the importance of maintaining the ponds that filter out the phosphorus-laden sediment. He uses his drone to capture footage of the ponds and the dredging process, providing visual insights to lake lovers and stakeholders.Glenn shares his experience with the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone, which he finds easy to use, even as a novice. The drone's safety features, such as returning home when the battery is low or out of sight, alleviate concerns about accidents. He plans to take a certification course to ensure responsible drone piloting near private airports and looks forward to exploring other sections of the lake to create informative videos.We conclude the episode by discussing the advice Glenn has for beginners interested in using drones for environmental initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of passion and using drones as a unique storytelling tool to convey messages effectively. Taking the initiative and fearlessly trying it out are key to success.

David Young, the founder of Drone Launch Academy, shares his experience on promoting a drone business while working a full-time job. He advises on prioritizing oneself and utilizing the most energetic hours of the day for personal business endeavors. David recommends attending industry events and creating an online presence through a website, Google Business, and starting a podcast or blog to attract customers. Persistence and not giving up too soon are emphasized as keys to success.

In this episode, John Dickow interviews Jason Koonce, owner of 107 Technologies, who specializes in aerial inspections using drones. Jason shares his expertise in using drones for home inspections and explains the valuable applications and tools he utilizes.With his 3D thermal models, Jason can detect moisture and identify energy loss, crucial factors in maintaining a safe and efficient home. By visually demonstrating the issues and explaining them to homeowners, he ensures they understand the problems and can find the right solutions.Discover how drones revolutionize the inspection process and provide unparalleled insights that traditional methods cannot match. Jason recounts a fascinating case where he discovered an airflow problem in a house with multiple roof angles. Despite the homeowner's attempt to improve ventilation by adding turbines, the thermal drone revealed that the airflow was still inefficient. This valuable information helped the homeowner identify the correct solution and avoid unnecessary expenses.Jason shares the advantages of using drones for inspections, such as increased safety, reduced damage to roofs, and faster data collection. He uses the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Thermal drone with infrared and 3D features, allowing him to provide comprehensive and accurate thermal envelope data to clients.Moreover, Jason demonstrates the mapping capabilities of drones, using elevation data to analyze water runoff and prevent erosion. He highlights the importance of finding the real value in your drone services and emphasizes the need to solve problems rather than just flying a drone.If you're interested in finding your own niche in the drone industry or seeking inspiration for innovative drone applications, this episode is a must! Learn from Jason's expertise, dedication, and practical advice to make your mark in the world of drone inspections.

In this episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered", host John Dickow delves into the fascinating world of centimeter accuracy with drones. Joined by Greg Gradwell, a software engineer at Pyka, they explore the complexities and benefits of achieving precise positioning with drones. Greg shares insights on the limitations of traditional GPS systems and how centimeter-level accuracy can be crucial in various industries like surveying and precision agriculture. They discuss the use of RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and PPK (Post-Process Kinematic) methods to enhance accuracy, as well as the role of base stations and GPS receivers like the ZED-F9P. Discover the magic behind achieving centimeter accuracy with drones and how it's revolutionizing the field.

In this episode of "Your Drone Questions Answered," host John Dickow is joined by Miriam McNabb, editor of dronelife.com, to discuss the topic of remote ID. They talk about the purpose of remote ID, its importance for safety, and its implementation timeline. Miriam sheds light on the potential impact of remote ID on both the drone business and hobbyists. They address concerns regarding compliance for recreational flyers and the benefits of remote ID for advanced drone operations. Tune in to learn more about this critical component of drone integration and how it will shape the future of the industry.

In this new episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered", John Dickow and Dominic Wilkerson discuss the essentials of getting started in real estate photography. Dominic talks about how he started with photo, video, drone, and 3D, and built his business into a one-stop-shop. He also shares with us his favorite gear and what equipment is needed to get started with real estate photography. Make sure to listen to this episode if you are also interested in using drones in real estate.