Ask Drone U

Best Practices for Drone Mapping and Using Pix4D Today's show is about drone mapping and Pix4D.  Our caller for today, Trav wants to know how he can overcome some of the challenges that he facing while using Pix4D. To help Trav out, we first re-explain the basics. You will learn how to choose the right acquisition strategy so that you can build more accurate 3D models.  Next, you will learn about point cloud editing and clean-up. Additionally, Paul also reveals when you need to re-do the steps while creating a 3D model so that you can process your mapping data, smoother and faster. This is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [0:48] Want to get better at drone mapping? Get enrolled in Drone U's latest course now! [01:22] Today's question is about drone mapping and Pix4D [02:02] Accuracy in drone mapping, and how to choose the right acquisition strategy  [05:44] Point cloud editing and clean up  [06:42] Is DroneDeploy a good drone mapping software? Paul shares his experience [07:35] The 3 key factors for executing accurate geo-referencing missions

What Does the Future Hold for the Drone Service Provider and Small Enterprise? Today's show is about what the future holds for the small drone service provider. Considering the challenges and risks involved, is it really worthwhile to consider drone flying as a full-time career? Our caller for today, Scott is skeptical about the future prospects of the small drone service provider. With large corporations assembling drone teams of their own, is it really worthwhile for a drone service provider to set up his or her small enterprise? Topics discussed on today's show include the looming threat of autonomous flying, the pressing need for better legislature, and expert tips for growing and scaling your drone business. Whether you are just starting off, or own an established business, this is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [0:55] What all we cover in today's show [03:30] On today's show, we discuss what the future holds for the drone service provider [05:33] Important needle movers for finding success in the drone industry [08:50] How to build systems to scale and grow your drone business [09:24] Will autonomous drones make the drone pilot obsolete? [12:22] What are some of the pitfalls of autonomous drone flying? What are the legal implications? [15:16] Why complex missions cannot be flows without human intervention [19:33] How government support and a progressive legislature can provide a conducive environment for the small drone service provider [23:53] Why remote-id is crucial to boost the growth of the drone industry

RTK vs PPK GPS - Which is the Best, Most Accurate Option for You? Today's show is all about 2 GPS correction technologies - RTK and PPK (Post Processed Kinematic GPS). Specifically, which is the best, most versatile option for drone pilots and when they can choose one over the other. Our caller for today, Trevor from Australia is unsure whether he should go with RTK or PPK GPS.  To help out Trevor, we re-visit the basics of these GPS technologies. We then proceed to discuss the optimum flying environment for RTK and PPK, and the different factors that you must consider when choosing one over the other. Other topics discussed on today's show include accuracy, the pros and cons of Aeropoints, and some expert tips for countering environmental challenges. You do not want to miss this information-packed show. Enjoy! Enjoy! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [0:59] Check out our in-person trainings and upcoming experience training (a one-of-a-kind training comprising flight mastery, complex 3D modelling, advanced aerial videography and much more) [05:30] Today's question is about PPK vs. RTK GPS [07:04] Understanding your drone, its capabilities and limitations [09:04] The 3 Factors affecting the accuracy in photogrammetry  [10:24] Drone U Recommended RTK and PPK GPS solutions [13:12] The best environment for RTK [15:01] RTK vs PPK - we reveal the applications best-suited for both technologies [16:43] The best flying environment for PPK [17:46] Is Aeropoints a good option for drone pilots? Discussing the pros and cons [20:11] In which scenarios do pilots prefer PPK over RTK? [21:58] Generally speaking, is RTK the better option of the two? [24:36] RTK or PPK - which is the more accurate option? [28:32] Paul sums up today's show [29:22] Check out Drone U landing pads today

Verizon, Skyward Drones, and 5G, Industrial Drones by GE, The Rising Popularity of American-Made Drones, DOI Publishes List of Government-Approved Drones In the fifth edition of Drone Life News, Paul and Miriam McNabb of DroneLife and JobforDrones discuss some of the latest and most exciting news from the world of drones. Our biggest story this week is about industry major, GE's foray into the drone industry. GE has partnered up with mapping provider Micro Drones as they attempt to gain a foothold in this rapidly growing drone market. With their extensive experience in the aviation and turbine industry, it remains to be seen if GE can succeed in this market where other American drone manufacturers have spectacularly failed. Next up, you will learn how Verizon's plan to leverage 5G to massively improve drone flight performance.  Don't miss our last story which is about DOI releasing a Blue sUAS list consisting of 5 government-approved drone solutions. With many drone manufacturers misusing the "Made in America" tag, the DOI has finally given some much-needed clarification on this subject. This is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Enjoy! Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [00:32] GE Partners up with Micro Drones to launch industrial drones [03:10] Verizon, Skyward drones, and 5G [06:55] Are American-made drones finally gaining a foothold in the drone industry? [09:17] How FTC is cracking down on drone manufacturers misusing the "Made the America" tag [10:00] DOI publishes Blue sUAS List consisting of 5 government-approved drone solutions

DJI FPV Drone Review | Exclusive with Christian Mollica, Author of The Acclaimed Book "FPV Flight Dynamics" In today's special show, Paul talks to Christian Mollica, the best-selling author of  "FPV Flight Dynamics" about the launch of DJI's FPV drone and how it will shake up the FPV world. DJI, the market leader has just announced their first FPV drone thereby marking their formal entry into the FPV world. But does this new drone live up to all the hype and the rather gargantuan expectations? You will get some expert tips on how to succeed as an FPV drone pilot in today's show.  We also discuss if this audacious bet will pay off for the Chinese behemoth. Whether you are just getting into the world of FPV or you are a seasoned pilot, this is a show that you do not want to miss. Tune in now! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Enjoy! Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [01:02] Is DJI's FPV drone a suitable option for drone pilots? Analyzing the pros and cons... [01:43] How to make a successful foray into the FPV industry [06:27] How big is the FPV industry? [11:15] About Christian's book, and how it will help FPV pilots [14:04] Is DJI's FPV drone suitable for new and advanced pilots alike? [17:54] The cons - in which areas does DJI's new drone fall short? [23:45] Where can you purchase a copy of Christian Mollica's book "FPV flight dynamics"?

Best Video Drone For The Money Today's show is about video drones. Specifically, which is the best, most versatile option for a commercial drone business? Our caller for today, Jordan is looking for a versatile drone that is particularly good at capturing video. He is particularly keen on buying a bird that can safely fly over water.  To help him, we first reveal why the Mavic Air 2S is NOT our preferred choice. We then go on to explain why DJI's flagship drone - the Mavic 2 Pro is the best drone for someone like Jordan who is keen on flying in different environments. This is a show you do not want to miss. Enjoy! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [0:42] Today's show is about an absolute best video drone that is available to drone pilots and factors for pilots to consider while deciding to purchase a drone [01:50] Today's question is about the best and most versatile video drone [03:35] Drones with unique features that are truly attractive buying propositions [03:57] Should you rely on cloud-based processing for 3D modeling? [06:40] Why we do NOT recommend the Mavic Air 2S for video [08:45] What is the most versatile drone that you can buy for the money? And, which is the best drone for a safe flight over water?

Best Agricultural Drones | How to Set Up a Drone Business Without Overshooting Your Budget Today's show is about agricultural drones. What is the best yet most affordable setup for those looking to provide their services to the agricultural sector? Our caller for today, Ryan is keen to provide drone services to the agricultural sector. But like most new entrepreneurs, he is on a tight budget. Can Ryan meet client expectations with a budget drone? Or does he have to go for an advanced (and expensive) drone from the get-go? On today's show, you will learn how you can set up your drone agricultural business without overshooting your budget. We wrap up this show by sharing the different benefits of a multispectral drone. If you are a progressive-minded drone pilot, constantly on the lookout for newer, better business opportunities, today's show will be particularly interesting to you. Enjoy! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [0:58] Order your Drone U landing pad today! [02:30] Today's question is about agricultural drones [04:07] What are some of the things that clients are looking for when hiring a drone pilot? [05:34] Will a formal education equip drone entrepreneurs with the necessary skillsets? [10:32] How to meet client expectations without overshooting your budget [12:36] Coming to the moot question - which are the best agricultural drones for you? [14:15] Is agriculture a lucrative option for drone pilots? [23:00] Do you need a multispectral drone for providing your services to the agricultural sector?

Drone Safety, and How to Tackle Drone Magnetic Interference Today's show is about flying in areas with heavy magnetic interference.  Our caller for today, Arturo from Columbia recently started working with the local government to fly missions in the heart of the city. But flight safety is a huge concern for him as he is flying in an interference-heavy environment. We discuss different options to help Arturo out. From flying Line of Sight to the basics of radiometry to path antennas, we cover a lot in today's power-packed show.  If you are a drone pilot struggling with the challenges of flying in an interference heavy environment, today's show will particularly help you out. Tune in for some drone wisdom! Enjoy! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [03:05 ] Do not forget to check out our forthcoming classes [05:14] Today's show is about dealing with magnetic interference when flying a drone [07:22] Do not forget this golden rule when in flight [08:43] Understanding radiometry can help you deal with drone magnetic interference [11:58] How a patch antenna can help you fly your drone with better control [13:04] Another great hack for countering magnetic interference [14:45] Is it wiser to fly at higher altitudes in interference-heavy environments?

Drone Flight Time Comparison - Phantom 4 Pro vs. Inspire 2 vs. Mavic Enterprise On today's show we do a flight time comparison between some popular drones like Phantom 4 Pro, Inspire 2, and Mavic Enterprise. Our caller for today, Carl is considering the Phantom 4 Pro, Inspire 2, and Mavic Enterprise for drone mapping missions.  But he is not sure if these drones can give him a long enough flight time to conclude his job. And understandably, he is also worried about running out of battery mid-flight. This is a great question that has not been asked before on Ask Drone U.  To help Carl out, we do an in-depth flight time comparison between these popular DJI drones.  Additionally, on today's show, you will also learn: How to restart a mission after changing batteries mid-flight Are the drones intelligent enough to mitigate risk in case of low battery voltage? Apps to help you operate seamlessly in the above scenarios... Thanks for the great question, Carl. Fly Safe! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [00:54] On today's show, we do a drone flight time comparison [05:42] Our question for today [07:10] What flight time can you expect from a Phantom 4 Pro and an Inspire 2? [07:40] DJI Phantom vs. Inspire - why the Phantom 4 Pro remains a perennial favorite [08:54] Why the Mavic 2 Enterprise is NOT the right drone for mapping [13:05] Are the drones of today smart enough to fly back home in case of low battery? [13:34] Apps that allow drone pilots to resume their mission after changing batteries mid-flight [14:04] Wrap up - Paul shares some parting wisdom to help Carl out

Google's Wing App, Parrot ANAFI AI, World-Class Skyfish Drones for Engineering and Critical Infrastructure, Made In USA Drones In the fourth edition of Drone Life News, Paul and Miriam McNabb of DroneLife and JobforDrones discuss some of the latest and most exciting news from the world of drones. Our biggest story this week is about Parrot's new ANAFI AI drone. This unique drone comes with obstacle avoidance that is inspired by nature's best flyers - insects.  Moreover, this is the first commercial drone to be 4G-connected - which means that you can fly easily even in areas of heavy magnetic interference. You will also learn how Parrot has managed to future-proof this drone to account for the fast-changing drone regulations. Next up, you will learn about Google Wing's new App, OpenSky - a free drone pilot app using which you can easily abide by FAA's regulations. Apart from learning where to fly (and more importantly, where not to fly), you can also use this app to get permission to fly in controlled airspace. The US-China trade wars have certainly boosted the prospects of various homegrown manufacturers. One such drone manufacturer is the Montana-based, Skyfish. Learn how Skyfish's purpose-built technology is being used to create precise 3D models for engineering and critical infrastructure. This is a show that you do not want to miss. Tune in now! Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF Enjoy! Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad! Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/. If you enjoy the show, the #1 thing you can do to help us out is to subscribe to it on iTunes. Can we ask you to do that for us real quick? While you’re there, leave us a 5-star review, if you’re inclined to do so. Thanks! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-drone-u/id967352832. Become a Drone U Member. Access to over 30 courses, great resources, and our incredible community. Follow Us Site – https://thedroneu.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/droneu Instagram – https://instagram.com/thedroneu/ Twitter – https://twitter.com/thedroneu YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/droneu Timestamps [00:47] Google Wing's free app, OpenSky makes it easier for drone pilots to comply with regulations  [03:52] Learn about Parrot's new, ANAFI AI drone inspired by...you will never guess it...insects! [11:30] What's critical infrastructure and how the FAA needs to step up. [13:01]What is section 2209 and the tasks ahead for FAA [14:06] What construes "critical infrastructure"? How a lack of clarity is resulting in confusion and eventually non-compliance [15:07] What are some of the challenges that drone pilots face while flying around critical infrastructure? [17:21] The responsibility for FAA and how other advocacy groups are interpreting federal authority and rules [20:30] Skyfish's new world-class drone technology for engineering and critical infrastructure