ADU 0930: What Are the Rules for Flying Your Drone near a Train?

January 10, 2019 by narinder

Today’s question is about flying your drone near a train. Can you get into trouble for doing so? And can a flying drone distract the driver and cause a derailment?

Our caller, Houston Brown, has come up up a unique question today. He wishes to fly near a train in order to grab some cool shots. Does the law permit him to do so? Can a drone pilot jeopardize the safety of train passengers? For all this, and more, tune in to the latest show of Ask Drone U. Thanks for the great question, Houston. Fly Safe!

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Timestamps

[01:10] A Special Thanks to our cool sponsor, GPC cases
[01:21] Today’s question is about flying your drone around trains?
[02:18] Can you take off and land from property owned by a railroad company?
[02:45] Is there a railroad police responsible for the safety of railroad infrastructure?
[04:03] Have drone pilots gotten into trouble for flying close to trains?
[04:17] Can a drone cause a train to derail?
[06:27] Are railways designated as critical infrastructure?

Tags: drone, drone laws, FAA, flying near trains, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, uav

ADU 0929: Is It Worth Buying the DJI Zenmuse Z30?

January 8, 2019 by narinder

Today’s question is about the DJI Zenmuse Z30. Is it worthwhile shelling out nearly 10 grand for the Zenmuse Z30?

Our caller, Joe, is wondering if it is worth spending the extra moolah after the Z30? In order to answer Joe’s question, we discuss the capabilities of the Z30. What are some suitable applications for this high-end DJI camera?

Commercially, is the Mavic 2 Zoom a more viable proposition? Tune in to listen to Paul and Rob as they do a thorough cost-benefit analysis. Thanks for the great question, Joe. Fly Safe!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

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The LUME CUBE AIR is the smallest, lightest and most compact lighting solution in the market. This awesome product is a must-have for professionals who want better photos and pictures.

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Check out our forthcoming Mapping Classes – //bit.ly/DroneMappingClasses

Timestamps

[00:36] Learn about about cool sponsor, LumeCube and their awesome new product LumeCube Air
[00:52] Paul shares some interesting details about our forthcoming classses
[01:56] Today’s question is about the DJI Zenmuse Z30
[03:18] Find out how you can send in YOUR question to Ask Drone U
[03:44] How to select the right camera sensor for your application
[04:02] Why does the Z30 come with a small 2 MP lens?
[04:33] Check out our in depth review of the Z30 camera
[05:50] What are some suitable applications for the Z30??
[06:00] Which other drones can fly the Z30?
[07:48] How much does the Z30 cost?
[07:58] Is the Mavic 2 Zoom a good alternative to the Zenmuse Z30?
[08:31] How does CaptureReality compare to Pix4D?
[10:37] Our new landing pad is selling out fast – get yours NOW!

Tags: capture reality, DJI, drone, FAA, multirotor, pix4, quadcopter, Safety, uav, Zenmuse Z30, zoom camera

BONUS: Drone News – Severn Bridge Drone Incident, Government Shutdown, Mavic 2 Improvements, CES 2019 and More by Ask Drone U

January 4, 2019 by narinder

We kickstart this week’s drone news by talking about yet another drone incident in UK. Learn how the Severn Bridge running between England and Wales was shut down due to a drone operator. We also share how the Government shutdown is affecting Part 107 registrations and other FAA services in a big way.

In addition, industry insiders have been speculating that Samsung is gearing up to compete against DJI. We also reveal the latest improvements that DJI is making to the Mavic 2. Other news includes a customized Mavic thermal, Pennsylvania’s new drone law, CES 2019 and, believe or not, a drone horror movie! Tune in now!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

Make sure to get yourself the all new Drone U landing pad!

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Timestamps

[00:23] Paul welcomes Haye to the show
[00:52] A drone pilot arrested for flying from the Severn Bridge running between England and Wales
[02:03] How is the US Government shutdown affecting FAA services?
[02:45] Will the FAA Symposium take place as scheduled?
[04:09] Is Samsung gearing up to compete against DJI?
[05:39] What improvements is DJI making to the Mavic 2?
[08:06] Pennsylvania comes out with a new unmanned aircraft law
[13:16] Does a customized Mavic 2 with a FLIR camera greatly increase its applications?
[14:16] Be prepared for some exciting product launches at CES 2019

Tags: DJI, drone, FAA, flir, government shutdown, mavic 2, quadcopter, Safety, samsung, uav

ADU 0928: Can You Fly Higher in a LAANC Area with Elevation Variance?

January 3, 2019 by narinder

In today’s show, we discuss some tips and tricks for getting around altitude limitations in a LAANC area.

Our caller, Houston, is planning on flying in a LAANC area with lot of elevation variance. Can he fly higher if he is at a higher elevation? We address Houston’s query and discuss if there is any advantage in flying higher. Thanks for the great question, Houston. Fly Safe!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

Make sure to get yourself the all new Drone U landing pad!

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Timestamps

[01:46] Paul shares his experience of flying in a LAANC area
[03:12] Today’s question is flying in a LAANC area with elevation variance
[04:28] What is navigable airspace?
[06:11] Can I fly higher in an area with elevation variance?
[07:10] Is it advisable for a drone pilot to fly higher?

Tags: drone, drone laws, FAA, laanc, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, uasfm, uav

ADU 0927: Am I Limited to 99 Waypoints on My Phantom 4 Pro?

January 2, 2019 by narinder

Today’s show is about the maximum number of waypoints on your Phantom 4 Pro. Are you really limited to 99 waypoints?

Our caller, David, from Boston, is facing a rather unique issue with his Phantom 4 Pro. He is unable to go beyond 99 waypoints. Is David facing this issue because of his drone or mapping application? You will also learn why it is necessary to stick to a standard mapping application like Pix4D. Thanks for the great question, David. Fly Safe!

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

Make sure to get yourself the all new Drone U landing pad!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

Become a Drone U Member.

Get your copy of “Livin’ the Drone Life” – //amzn.to/2nalUDH
Get your copy of our Part 107 Study Guide – //amzn.to/2omQatT

Timestamps

[00:57] Today’s question is about the maximum number of waypoints that you can have on your Phantom 4
[02:17] Why is David being limited to 99 waypoints on his Phantom 4?
[03:31] Which are some of the good mapping applications that drone pilots can consider using?
[05:00] Pros and Cons of different mapping applications
[06:21] How many waypoints are necessary?
[07:49] Is there a 99 waypoint limit on the Phantom 4?
[08:23] Why is Pix4D the gold standard of mapping applications?
[10:25] Share, Review and subscribe to Ask Drone U. Your encouragement keeps us going!

Tags: drone, drone mapping, FAA, multirotor, pix4d, quadcopter, Safety, uav, UAV mapping

ADU 0926: Expert Tips for Achieving Survey Grade Accuracy in Drone Mapping

December 31, 2018 by narinder

In today’s show you will learn the correct workflow for achieving survey grade accuracy in drone mapping.

Our caller, Josh from UK needs to map really large tracts of land ranging from 1 acres to 5 acres. What steps does Josh need to take in order to create a really accurate drone map/model? We kickstart this episode by discussing the importance of educating yourself before taking on complex mapping jobs.

You will discover the nuances of different RTK and PPK GPS systems. What are the pros and cons of using systems like Emlid and Aeropoints? We also discuss why using the DJI Phantom 4 RTK over Leica and Trimble systems is a true value proposition. Thanks for the great question, Josh. Fly Safe!

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

Make sure to get yourself the all new Drone U landing pad!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

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Timestamps

[02:28] Effective ways of sticking to your New Year Resolution
[05:43] Today’s question is about achieving survey grade mapping in drone mapping
[08:09] How can Drone U help Josh learn more about the nuances of drone mapping?
[09:38] Paul cautions drone pilots against going after complex mapping jobs without proper education
[10:26] Watch for the upcoming Drone U mapping class
[12:00] How long will it take Josh to map an acre of land?
[13:10] Do you need a RTK or PPK GPS system for achieving survey grade accuracy in drone mapping?
[13:46] Is it a good idea to use the Emlid sytem? Can you achieve good vertical accuracies?
[15:28] Is it a good idea to rent a RTK system for a drone job? What about Aeropoints?
[16:21] How to set GCP’s and checkpoints for achieving survey grade mapping in drone mapping
[17:26] Learn how using Drone U landing pads can help you immensely in drone mapping
[17:58] What is a re-projection error?
[19:17] How to correctly check the accuracy of your drone model
[19:37] Some important things to bear in mind for achieving survey grade accuracy
[20:47] How does the Phantom 4 RTK compare to total stations in terms of accuracy and cost?
[21:16] When are the new Drone mapping classes coming out?

Tags: aeropoints, drone, emlid, FAA, multirotor, ppk gps, quadcopter, RTK GPS, Safety, uav

Bonus: Drone News – Gatwick Airport Crane, Indonesia Drone SAR, New Matrice Series from DJI and More!

December 28, 2018 by narinder

“Alleged” drone sightings at Gatwick, Reasons behind the Aeromexico flight crash, New Matrice M200 and M210 and Drones for Good

Today we showcase that last weeks news of a drone spotted at Gatwick airport ended up being a crane. We also explore some of the findings from the Aeromexico flight and showcase new FCC filings that indicate a new Matrice M200 and M210 are in the works. Listen up for more information on how drones are saving lives in Indonesia.

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

Make sure to get yourself the all new Drone U landing pad!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

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Timestamps

[00:24] Paul welcomes Haye to the show
[00:56] What really happened at the Gatwick airport?
[02:55] Were drones made the scapegoat in the Aeromexico incident as well?
[04:26] Are the new Matrice drones being released anytime soon?
[06:03] Learn about the Project Wing tests that are being carried out in Australia
[06:39] Will quieter drones make drone deliveries a possibility?
[08:23] How drones are being used to bolster Search and Rescue efforts in Indonesia
[10:02] How is the government shutdown affecting Part 107 registrations?

Tags: DJI, drone, FAA, gatwick, government shutdown, matrice, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, uav

ADU 0925: How to Install Drone Anti Collision Lights

December 26, 2018 by narinder

How Do I Correctly and Safely Install Anti Collision Lights on My Drone?

In today’s show, you will learn some great Tips and Tricks for safely and correctly installing drone anti collision lights.

Our caller, Ken wishes to install drone anti collision lights on his Phantom 4 V2. Is it okay to put anti-collision lights on the top of your drone? Will you end up hitting a prop or interfering with your GPS signal if you do so? Part 107 rules require that you maintain a visibility of 3 miles. But, do you need 360 degree visibility as well? For all this and much more, tune in to our latest show now. Thanks for the great question, Ken. Fly Safe!

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

Make sure to get yourself the all new Drone U landing pad!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

Become a Drone U Member.

Timestamps

[01:44] Today’s question is about installing drone anti collision lights
[03:00] Will my strobe lights interfere with my drone’s GPS signal?
[03:23] Can your drone anti collision lights hit a prop?
[04:27] How to correctly install a strobe light on your drone
[05:12] Can a drone anti collision light interfere with your camera sensor?
[05:35] Can you put anti collision lights on the side of your drone or on the back?
[06:11] Is it okay to turn off your drone anti collision lights?

Tags: anti collision lights, drone, drone anti collision lights, FAA, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, strobe lights, uav

ADU 0924: Christmas Special – How Drone Technology Will Change Our Lives in the Next 5 Years

December 24, 2018 by narinder

In today’s Christmas Special, we share how drone technology can impact our lives in 5 years. You will learn how technological advancements will allow us to harness greater benefits from this amazing technology across varying walks of life.

Paul and Rob speculate if drone deliveries will finally set flight. We reveal some little known facts about Amazon’s drone delivery program, and how conducive drone regulations and better technology will make critical applications like medical deliveries a possibility.

Will we see a great increase in flight time due to superior drone batteries? Will the emergence of AI result in more efficient data acquisition and data management? This show will give you some great insights into where drone technology is headed and how it will IMPACT our lives in the next 5 years. Fly Safe!

The entire Drone U Family wishes you and your family a Happy and Joyous Christmas season. May this Christmas bring you joy, laughter, and closer to everyone whom you cherish so much.

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

Make sure to get yourself the all new Drone U landing pad!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

Become a Drone U Member.

Timestamps

[03:21] What does Christmas mean to Paul?
[04:30] Christmas is about GIVING rather than receiving
[05:28] Will drone delivery finally set flight
[05:55] How will drones change Christmas 5 years from now?
[07:12] Will you be able to aggregate mapping data from different drones?
[08:04] Which are the ideal cities for Amazon to test out their drone delivery program?
[11:08] Will we start using drones for medical deliveries?
[12:56] Should drones be used for monitoring traffic on highways?
[15:15] Will better technology result in superior drone batteries with longer flight times?
[16:53] Will it become easier to fly BVLOS in future?
[17:38] How harnessing solar power and energy from prop wash will result in longer flight times
[19:59] How the ability to fly BVLOS result in wider drone applications
[22:03] Will enhanced AI capabilities allow for easier data acquisition and data management?
[26:35] Discussing the need for a more efficient system for granting Part 107 waivers

Tags: amazon, BVLOS, drone, drone deliveries, FAA, part 107, quadcopter, Safety, uav

BONUS: Drone News – Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual Thermal, Gatwick Airport Shutdown, T16 Agricultural Drone, Vaccine Delivery by Ask Drone U

December 21, 2018 by narinder

This weeks drone news showcases that the Haye and Paul were correct in the prediction of the Mavic 2 Thermal drone, but were unaware of its secret features that vastly increase the capability.

In addition, drones have shut down airport operations at Gatwick airport causing chaos during the busiest travel week of the year. Focusing on positive drone uses, Drones are providing air support to remote islands that need vaccines in the Pacific. This news and so much more on this week’s episode of Ask Drone U. Fly Safe!

Join us for our first intensive weekend of mapping instruction in the New Year from January 18-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC.

Make sure to get yourself the all new Drone U landing pad!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

Become a Drone U Member.

Timestamps

[00:42] DJI announces the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual
[01:33] Why the FLIR sensor on the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual can give you more detailed information
[03:03] Will the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual disrupt the Matrice series?
[04:19] Does the Mavic 2 Enterprise come up with optical zoom?
[04:52] Drones flying near the Gatwick airport causes major disruption
[08:23] Was it a drone or a bird that crashed into the AeroMexico flight in Tijuana?
[10:45] Users face issues with DJI’s Inspire 2 and Matrice series of drones; will firmware updates address this issue?
[11:47] Tips and Tricks to take care of your drone batteries when flying in cold weather
[12:45] Drones being used for vaccine delivery to remote islands in the Pacific ocean
[14:10] Learn about the Australian drone, Swoop, and why it is ideal for drone deliveries
[15:37] DJI launches its T-16 agricultural drone in China
[17:16] Mapping workflow for agricultural drones
[18:24] Discussing the capabilities of DJI’s soon-to-be-launched mapping application, Terra
[20:21] Will DJI coming out with any major launches at the CES 2019?
[21:30] DJI is offering a 10% discount to students
[22:36] Share, Review and Subscribe to Ask Drone U. Your encouragement keeps us going