ADU 0779: What Is the Best Way to Deal with Realtors Hiring Drone Operators Without a Part 107 License?

April 11, 2018 by narinder

Competing and Dealing with Drone Operators without a Part 107 License

Today, we talk about realtors hiring drone operators without a Part 107 license. What is an effective way of dealing with these realtors? How can you market your services and compete against illegal drone operators?

Real estate is a tough segment for drone pilots. And understandably, our caller today is frustrated as he tries to break into this segment. How can you compete against drone operators flying without a Part 107 license and offering dirt cheap services? How do you deal with realtors with zero respect for the law?

We discuss various sales and marketing tips for standing out in this tough market. Is it wise to undermine your competition while marketing your services? And, in the worst scenario, should you consider complaining to the FAA or the National Association of Realtors? Tune in to find out. Fly safe!

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Timestamps

[01:40] Today’s question is about dealing with realtors hiring drone operators without a Part 107 license
[03:37] Discussing the current frustrating trend of realtors hiring illegal UAS operators
[09:39] What are some ways of dealing with unethical realtors?
[11:07] How can Drone U help you deal with unethical realtors?
[12:41] Should you call the local FAA office if you come across a realtor hiring drone pilots without a Part 107 license?
[14:10] How can the National Association of Realtors (NAR) help you deal with unethical realtors?
[15:33] Can a realtor afford fees of a licensed drone pilot?
[16:16] Does well-shot drone footage hold great value for realtors?
[18:47] Is it wise to badmouth your competition while marketing your drone services?

Tags: drone, FAA, illegal drone operators, multirotor, quadcopter, Real Estate, Realtors, Safety, sales and marketing, uav, unlicensed pilots

Cameron Sale

April 11, 2018 by narinder

Video Timestamps

(click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the video)

[00:19] Introduction and background of guest
[00:41] How did you start in drones?
[01:14] How much did Cameron’s first Phantom 2 cost him?
[02:20] What are your areas of focus and why?
[04:41] What do you know now that you wish you knew back then?
[05:34] Cameron’s Top 3 pieces of advice for new pilots

ADU 0778: Building Your Own Drone vs. Buying DJI – Which Is the Better Option?

April 10, 2018 by narinder

Today, we talk about building your own drone. Is it wise to build your own drone? Or should you rather buy a DJI product?

Our caller, Ken is wondering if he should go ahead and build a custom drone. Building a custom drone is a complex and cumbersome task. Can a custom drone have the same capabilities as a DJI product? What about ease of use? Which is the best drone to build?

We also talk about factors such as applications, gimbal control and camera control for custom built drones. Which is the cheapest custom drone that you can build? Tune in to find out. Thanks to Ken from New Jersey for the question. Fly safe!

Make sure to get yourself a Drone U landing pad!

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

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

Timestamps

[02:44] Today’s question is about building your own drone
[04:38] Some solid reasons for buying a DJI product
[06:22] Which is the best custom drone that you can build right now?
[07:13] Is it worth purchasing DJI’s home built drone?
[07:32] How much will batteries for a custom drone cost you?
[08:09] Which is the best DJI alternative for a custom built drone?
[09:10] What are some of the disadvantages of using a custom built drone?
[09:49] Should you opt for the S900 or the S1000?
[10:48] What is the cheapest way to build your drone?

Tags: build your own drone, custom drone, DJI, drone, FAA, m600, matrice, multirotor, p4p, phantom 4 pro, pixhawk, quadcopter, Safety, uav

ADU 0777: Should I Use DJI’s Zenmuse Z30 for Infrastructure Inspections?

April 9, 2018 by narinder

Today’s question is about DJI’s Zenmuse Z30. Should you use DJI’s Zenmuse Z30 for infrastructure inspections? Are there any disadvantages to using a small sensor?

Our caller is unsure about using the Zenmuse Z30 since it is only a 2 MP sensor. Can he get good results by using a small sensor? In order to answer his question, we first discuss sensor size and construction. What is the reason for using a small sensor on a drone? Is it possible to use a bigger sensor on a drone? Would you need a larger drone if you decide to opt for a bigger sensor?

We also discuss the most suitable drone systems for infrastructure inspections. Is the Phantom 4 Pro good enough for infrastructure inspections? Or, should you rather opt for the M210? We also talk about variable zoom. Will variable zoom create difficulties for you while processing flight data? Tune in to this fun and informative episode. Thanks to Jon from Australia for the question. Fly safe!

Make sure to get yourself a Drone U landing pad!

Don’t forget to pick up a charger from Colorado Drone Chargers. Use discount code Drone U 8 to get yourself a killer deal. Those guys make high-quality quadchargers to help you maximize your flight time!

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

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

Timestamps

[04:07] Today’s question is about the Zenmuse Z30
[06:27] Is there any reason for a drone to carry a small sensor? We discuss sensor size and construction
[09:00] Can you use a bigger sensor on a drone?
[09:55] Some tips and tricks for doing power-line inspections; is the Z30 a good option for power-line inspections?
[10:28] Is the Zenmuse Z30 a good camera for infrastructure inspections?
[15:10] Paul sums up today’s episode

Tags: DJI, drone, FAA, M210, matrice, multirotor, p4p, Phantom4Pro, quadcopter, Safety, sensor, sensor size, uav, Zenmuse Z30

How to Work with Your Local Authorities on Improving the Drone Law

April 8, 2018 by narinder

Video Timestamps

(click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the video)

[00:30] Why did Cameron reach out to Vic?
[01:15] Learn what led to fire fighting equipment being grounded in Cameron’s town
[02:04] How did the Assistant Town Manager react to Vic and Cameron’s involvement?
[03:30] The importance of drone pilots cooperating with the town to affect drone laws
[04:42] Has a new permit been passed in Cameron’s town?
[06:43] Cameron’s advice to folks planning on working with their towns to change drone laws
[07:37] Cameron’s parting words

ADU 0776: How Do I Find Clients for My New Drone Business?

April 6, 2018 by narinder

Today’s question is about finding clients for a new drone business. How do you find clients for a new drone business? What are some tips and tricks for sales and marketing?

Our caller, Carl has already purchased a thermal camera. But he is having difficulty getting his business off the ground. What sort of clients should he be targeting? Why is it important to deal with knowledgeable clients? Should he approach high profit, high maintenance clients? Or, should be start off with smaller clients?

Like in every business, it is important to deeply research your potential clients. How can you effectively research your prospect and his industry? Apart from industry knowledge, which are the softer skills that can help you build a sustainable business? Tune in to find out. Thanks to Carl for this great question. Fly safe!

Make sure to get yourself a Drone U landing pad!

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

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

Timestamps

[01:19] Today’s question is about getting new clients for a drone business
[02:55] The importance of dealing with knowledgeable clients
[03:25] Learn how a knowledgeable client would describe his deliverable requirements
[04:50] Discussing the importance of zeroing in on a client’s problem and articulating it
[06:33] How can diligent research help you build your clientele?
[07:41] Which are the four different client types that you should be aware of?
[08:45] Can you get drone jobs in the field of home inspection?
[10:00] Can connecting with a client on an emotional level help you in your sales and marketing?

Tags: Business, drone, drone business, FAA, marketing, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, sales, uav

Should I use Airdata UAV for storing my flight data?

ADU 0775: Should You Use Airdata UAV for Storing Your Flight Data?

April 5, 2018 by narinder

Airdata UAV Review – Is it a good option for drone pilots?

Today’s question is about Airdata UAV. Should you use this cloud platform for storing your flight data?

Our caller for today is wondering whether he should upload his maintenance logs to the Airdata app. What are the main advantages of doing so? Any caveats that he should be aware of?

While Part 107 regulations does not mandate that drone pilots maintain a flight log, there are many benefits of doing so. Airdata UAV is a cloud-based tool that allows you to store and analyze flight data. Let’s discuss the Pros of using this tool first.

Airdata UAV is great for-

Drone Battery Management
Monitoring Average Flight Times
Locating your drone in event of a crash
Client Billing

Want to learn how using the Airdata app can help you market your drone business and reduce your cost? Check out our blog post, “How to Log and Keep Track of Your Drone Flights” for detailed insights on this topic.

Yet some issues remain –

Data security is a concern
Airdata App is not compatible with some drones

Airdata UAV Pricing

Airdata UAV offers four different plans.

If you wish to get a feel for this app, they do have a free plan which you can try out. However, you cannot log more than 100 flights in the free plan. The most expensive Airdata app plan is priced at $14.99/mo. You can log 3,000 flights if you opt for this plan.

Plans and Pricing

HD FREE – FREE
HD 360 Lite – $2.99/mo
HD 360 GOLD – $6.99/mo
HD 360 PRO – $14.99/mo

If you have more questions about logging your flight data, we strongly recommend you tune in to our show. We thank our caller for the question. Fly safe!

Make sure to get yourself a Drone U landing pad!

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

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

Timestamps

[01:20] Today’s question is about Airdata UAV
[02:53] What are some benefits of using Airdata?
[03:11] Can you prevent a flyaway if you use this tool?
[04:06] Some caveats that you should be aware of
[05:30] Will using Airdata UAV help you build credibility and get more clients?

Tags: airdata, cloud platform, data security, drone, FAA, flight data, maintenance logs, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, uav

ADU 0774: Should You Get Drone Jobs Through Websites?

April 4, 2018 by narinder

Today, we talk about drone jobs. Is it lucrative to get drone jobs through websites? What are the normal terms and conditions for such drone jobs?

While, such drone jobs can be considered as “paid practice”, doing such jobs is not a wise long term career strategy. Why so? We discuss various issues such as copyrights, pay and exclusivity to strengthen our argument. Are there any benefits to getting a job through websites such as DroneBase? Can you market yourself to a client that you meet through an online website? Tune in to get your questions answered. Thanks to the caller for the question. Fly safe!

Make sure to get yourself a Drone U landing pad!

Don’t forget to pick up a charger from Colorado Drone Chargers. Use discount code Drone U A 40 or Drone U P 40 to get yourself a killer deal. Those guys make high-quality quadchargers to help you maximize your flight time!

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

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

Timestamps

[08:43] Today’s question is about the advantages and disadvantages of getting drone jobs through websites
[09:59] What sort of drone jobs are available on these websites?
[10:17] Discussing the business model of websites such as Dronebase and Uplift; are you likely to encounter copyright issues while working for these websites?
[11:32] Are websites poor paymasters?
[12:53] Discussing the importance of going through the website’s terms and conditions
[13:11] Do jobbing websites demand exclusivity?
[13:40] Would you be violating a website’s policies in case you give your business card to a client?

Tags: drone, FAA, jobbing, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, UAS contractor, uav, website

ADU 0773: What Are the Rules for Flying Your Drone in a National Park?

April 3, 2018 by narinder

Today’s question is about flying your drone in a National Park. What are the rules for flying your drone in a National Park? Can you takeoff your drone from within a National Park?

Our caller wishes to know if he can fly the DJI Spark in a National Park. Because he wishes to take off the Spark from the palm of his hand, he feels that he is not breaking any rules. Is this permissible? We also discuss the urgent need for coming up with a new set of rules for flying your drone within a National Park. Thanks to the caller for the question. Fly safe!

Make sure to get yourself a Drone U landing pad!

Don’t forget to pick up a charger from Colorado Drone Chargers. Those guys make high-quality quadchargers to help you maximize your flight time!

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

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

Timestamps

[01:41] Today’s question is about flying in a national park; can you fly a drone if you takeoff from the palm of your hand?
[02:43] Would you takeoff from outside the national park and fly into it?
[04:28] Can you takeoff your drone from within the national park?
[04:50] Will you get into trouble for flying in a national park?
[09:05] Can you fly a drone in a national park using a videography permit?

Tags: DJI, DJI Spark, drone, FAA, multirotor, National Park, quadcopter, Safety, uav

ADU 0772: Swellpro’s Splashdrone – Should You Buy This Waterproof Drone?

April 2, 2018 by narinder

Today’s question is about the SplashDrone. Should you buy this waterproof drone? How does the SplashDrone compare to the Phantom 3? Is the SplashDrone a good drone for subject tracking?

The idea of a waterproof drone is intriguing to many. But, is the SplashDrone really waterproof? Is camera quality on par with the best? What about payload delivery mechanism and ease of use? Tune in to find out if you should really consider buying this drone. Thanks to Ken for the question. Fly safe!

Make sure to get yourself a Drone U landing pad!

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

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

Timestamps

[01:41] Today’s question is about Swellpro’s SplashDrone
[03:18] Should you use the SplashDrone instead of a PhantomPro?
[03:57] Has there been a significant improvement in the new SplashDrone when compared to the older model?
[04:34] Why should you use a CrystalSky monitor when flying your drone over water?
[07:57] Can you use the SplashDrone for fishing?