Your Drone Questions. Answered.

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.

In this episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered", John Dickow is joined by Kara Murphy, a commercial drone pilot, photographer, writer, and contributing writer for DP Review. The episode covers the question of what license is needed to make money with a drone. Kara mentions that to make money with a drone, one needs to pass the Part 107 Exam, which enables flying for profit.Failure to obtain the certification can result in fines of over $30,000 per violation. The exam is not something one can cram for, and passing it requires knowledge, which needs to always be improving. Kara also discusses the difference between the Part 107 exam and the recurrent exam, which pilots need to take every two years. 

In this podcast episode, Sally French, also known as the Drone Girl, answers questions about drones for beginners. She recommends starting with a cheap "trash drone" for practice before investing in a higher quality drones. Sally emphasizes the importance of balancing cost and safety features when buying a drone and recommends DJI drones as they are easy and safe to fly. She advises beginners to be realistic about their intended use for the drone and to consider factors like video quality and whether they want to start with a toy drone for practice.

In this podcast episode, the host of "Your Drone Questions. Answered." John Dickow interviews Garey Scott, CEO and pilot of Scott Airborne Imagery, about how to register a drone for recreational use after passing the Trust Exam. Garey explains the importance of passing the exam and registering a drone, detailing the steps to register and the consequences of not doing so. He talks about the benefits of having a registration number for the drone. The conversation ends with Garey encouraging listeners to enjoy flying their drones and the unique perspective it provides.