ADU 0738: Unlocking Your DJI Drone | Can you Fly in a No-Fly Zone?

February 6, 2018 by narinder

Today, we talk about unlocking your DJI drone. Legitimate pilots with licensing are being stopped by DJI’s geofencing system.

Our caller, Joe has the necessary authorization to fly in Class C airspace. However, the DJI App did not let him fly his Phantom 4 Pro. Is it possible to unlock DJI’s geofencing system?

How does DJI’s Geofencing System Work?

DJI’s geofencing system can be categorized into three zones: green, yellow and red. While it easier to unlock a green zone or yellow zone, dealing with the red zone can be tricky. Are there applications via which you can unlock a zone? What are some of the issues that you might face while unlocking a zone? In this episode, Rob and Paul discuss everything that you need to know which will help you unlock your drone. We thank Joe from Texas for the question. Fly Safe!

Also, the folks over at Energen are offering a special discount on their amazing portable chargers for all Drone U members. Use one the following promo codes at checkout, depending on which battery you buy, to get a great deal on a killer battery:

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Timestamps

[01:11] Will you encounter “No-Fly” zones on the Yuneec or the Solo?
[02:52] Today’s question is about unlocking your DJI drone
[03:27] Discussing how DJI’s geofencing system is critical for keeping nefarious characters in check
[05:21] We talk about green, yellow and red zones. Is it possible to unlock red zones?
[06:08] Are there applications which will let you fly in these “No-Fly” zones?
[07:50] What are some of the issues that you will run into while unlocking a red zone?

Tags: DJI, drone, FAA, geofencing, multirotor, p4p, quadcopter, Safety, uav, unlocking your drone

ADU 0737: The Week’s Most Interesting Drone Stories

February 5, 2018 by narinder

It has been an interesting week for the drone industry. We zero in on some trending stories from the drone world and provide our perspective on the same. Today, we discuss drone education, drone insurance and drone legislation.

Do you really need to go to a college if you wish to build a sustainable drone mapping business? Should you avail commercial drone insurance by the AMA? Does the FAA always act in alignment with compliance policies? Tune in to hear Rob and Paul discuss some interesting topics from last week. Fly safe!

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

[01:21] Do you need a college degree if you wish to take up drone mapping jobs?
[04:36] Should you avail commercial drone insurance by the AMA?
[06:15] Story of the day: We talk about an 11 year old fined for flying his drone on a North Carolina beach
[06:51] Was FAA right in asking for drone registration from this 11 year old? Was this in alignment with regulations?
[08:11] Does a 11 year old drone pilot flying as a hobbyist need a Part 107 certification? We discuss how FAA’s notice is totally irrelevant
[09:51] Does FAA always act in alignment with drone regulations?
[14:15] Discussing how dealing with FAA can be really stressful for some drone pilots
[15:40] Was this 11 year old causing an undue hazard to other people?

Tags: drone, drone education, drone insurance, FAA, legislation, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, uav

ADU 0736: Can a licensed surveyor make more money from drone mapping?

February 2, 2018 by narinder

Today, we talk about drone mapping and surveyor certification. Will you get more drone mapping business once you get your surveyor’s certificate? Is there any advantage to getting your surveyor certification?

We think not. It is important to understand that drone mapping is vastly different from surveying. Traditional surveying typically deals with defining site lines or property lines. Whereas drone mapping applications include creation of interactive maps and models, measurement of volumetric stockpiles and creation of index maps for farms.

So, does a certified surveyor make more money than an unlicensed photogrammeter? Tune in to find out. Thanks to Ken for the question. Fly Safe!

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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

[03:56] Today’s question is about getting your surveying certification
[05:00] We cite information from U.S. Department of Labor which highlights the increasing popularity of drone mapping
[05:47] Is there any significant advantage to getting your surveyor’s certification
[05:58] Highlighting the difference between surveying and drone mapping applications
[07:23] How much money can you make for high end mapping jobs?
[10:50] Discussing the path to becoming a licensed surveyor
[11:05] "] When should you consider getting your surveying license?

Tags: certification, drone, FAA, license, mapping, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, surveyor, uav

ADU 0735: Can you use the DJI Mavic Pro for promoting hotels and resorts?

February 1, 2018 by narinder

Drone photography and videography is being increasingly used to showcase hotel facilities. It is critical to generate high quality photos and videos to build a sustainable business in this space.

So does the entry level, DJI Mavic fit the bill? We suggest considering better, higher end options. The GoPro sensor that comes with the Mavic is not ideal for generating quality content. If you do not have a higher budget at the moment, we suggest graduating to higher grade equipment at the earliest. Thanks to Tawn for the question. Fly Safe!

Also, we highly recommend checking out the Lume Cube, a killer external flash and video light. This 1500 Lumen LED is waterproof, has a run time of up to 2.5 hours and is the ideal portable lighting solution.

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

[02:25] Today’s question is about using the DJI Mavic Pro for marketing hotels and resorts
[03:58] Discussing the various disadvantages of using the DJI Mavic Pro
[06:41] Can hacking the Mavic help you get better cinematic shots?
[08:02] Can you negotiate a free hotel stay in exchange for drone photos?
[08:35] We discuss the wisdom of upgrading to higher grade equipment at the earliest

Tags: drone, FAA, mavic, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, uav

ADU 0734: Is DJI Matrice the Best All-in-One Drone Solution?

January 31, 2018 by narinder

DJI Matrice | What is a good, all-in-one drone solution for a startup?

Today, we talk about versatile, all-in-one drone solutions. Can you take up videography, photography, regular mapping and thermographic mapping jobs with a single drone?

Yes, you can. The DJI Matrice M210 lets you do just that. Because you can fly two cameras at once, you can even do regular mapping and thermal mapping at the same time. However this elegant solution will set you back by 20 grand.

We also discuss whether the Inspire 2 matches up to the M210 in versatility. For folks who do not have the luxury of a fat budget, we suggest going for the Yuneec H520 with the CGOET camera. Thanks to Matt for the question! Fly safe!

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

[03:18] Quoting and discussing various statistics which highlight the increasing popularity of drone mapping
[09:37] Today’s question is about discovering an all-in-one drone solution; how does the DJI Matrice compare to Inspire 2 and Yuneec H520?
[11:40] Why is the DJI Matrice M210 ideal for folks looking for a versatile drone solution? How much will it cost you?
[13:16] Can you consider the Inspire 2 if you wish to take up cinematography, videography and thermal jobs?
[13:48] Is the Yuneec 520 with the CGOET camera a good option for those with a tight budget? What are the pros and cons of opting for this solution?
[16:43] How does the Yuneec 520 compare with the Phantom 4 Pro as far as mapping is concerned?

Tags: dji matrice, drone, FAA, Inspire2, M210, mapping, matrice, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, thermal, uav, yuneec

ADU 0733: Can you get slow motion footage using the Zenmuse X7?

January 30, 2018 by narinder

Today, we discuss the various capabilities of the the Zenmuse X7. Keenan, our caller wishes to know if it is possible to bump up the frame rate on the X7. Is 60 fps the maximum frame rate possible? Can you increase the fps to a 96 or 120?

The Zenmuse X7 is an expensive camera known for producing phenomenal results. Unfortunately the Zenmuse X7 does not offer the option of lowering resolution to 1080. However Paul suggests a workaround via which you can still produce slow motion footage using Final Cut Pro. Tune in as Paul gives you detailed, step-by-step instructions for producing high quality slow-mo footage. Also, watch out for Vic and Paul’s forthcoming review where they discuss all aspects of the Zenmuse X7 at great length.

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Energen M10 Model: DRONEU M10

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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

[02:56] Today we discuss whether it is possible to shoot slow motion footage on the Zenmuse X7
[03:58] Is it possible to lower resolution to 1080 and shoot in full HD mode on the X7?
[04:24] Paul provides detailed, step by step instructions for producing slow motion footage using Final Cut Pro

Tags: camera, drone, FAA, final cut pro, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, slow motion, uav, zenmuse

ADU 0732: Drone Industry Trends 2018

January 29, 2018 by narinder

2018 is sure to be an exciting year for the drone industry. With new technology debuting all the time and constant innovations in the way drones are being used by consumers and businesses, it appears that we have a lot to look forward to.

Can we expect to see the Phantom 5 within the next few months? What about the X9? How are the FAA laws and waiver processes going to change in the coming year? While we don’t know for sure, we do have some speculations. Tune in to hear Paul and Rob discuss the drone industry trends of 2018. Fly safe!

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

[03:06] Today, we speculate about technology trends for 2018
[03:43] Is the new Phantom 5 on the way?
[04:02] We talk about Sony’s new AI drone; how can increasing AI capabilities help perform drone jobs more efficiently?
[05:47] Discussing how FAA is trying to be more efficient with the introduction of DroneZone
[06:40] Will drones be used for home security in 2018?
[07:37] What is the likelihood of Amazon using a drone based delivery system in 2018?
[10:46] Will we see more companies coming up with their own drone divisions in 2018?
[11:31] We talk about the impressive warehouse logistics drone that was displayed at CES
[12:35] Will we witness the usage of unmanned flying taxis anytime soon?
[13:31] We talk about FAA’s stringent requirements for their new recency test

Tags: Business, drone, equipment, FAA, laws, multirotor, products, quadcopter, Regulations, rules, Safety, trends, uav

ADU 0731: Zenmuse XT or Yuneec H520?

January 23, 2018 by narinder

Today, we discuss thermal imaging cameras and lenses. How does the Zenmuse XT compare to the Yuneec H520? Which one will add more value to your drone modeling business? How do their lifespans compare?

Because our caller is looking at the Zenmuse XT, we discuss the various lenses available for it. With a number of options available, though, how do you choose the right one? Which version is going to give you the most value without draining your wallet? We talk about the various benefits of each lens and compare their costs. Thanks to Jordan for the question! Fly safe!

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Energen M10 Model: DRONEU M10

Energen P40 Mode: DRONEU P40

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

[02:20] Today, we discuss thermal imaging cameras and lenses
[04:29] We compare various lens options for the Zenmuse XT
[05:48] What is the difference between the Zenmuse XT and Zenmuse XTR?
[06:34] Should you consider cheaper options like the Yuneec CGOET?
[08:54] Is the $9k Zenmuse XT a good investment?

Tags: camera, drone, FAA, imaging, lens, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, sensors, thermal, uav, yuneec, zenmuse

Certification for Flying Large Drones weighing more than 55 pounds

ADU 0730: Is there Certification for flying Large Drones over 55 lbs?

January 22, 2018 by narinder

How to fly large drones weighing more than 55 pounds

Today, we talk about flying large drones. While most pilots will only ever fly a drone smaller than 55 lbs, there are some people who will eventually scale up. With Intel’s unveiling of the Air Taxi at this years CES, it may not be long before we’re all flying around in car-sized drones.

Of course, the Part 107 is only applicable to unmanned aircraft that weigh less than 55 lbs at takeoff. This includes anything attached to the drone including gimbals, lenses, etc. Previously, you could fly a drone weighing more than 55 pounds by getting a Section 333 exemption. However, now, Section 333 has been replaced by Section 347 (§ 44807 – Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems) of the 2018 Re-authorization Act. This does not mean that your old Section 333 exemption is not valid. You can still fly under the old exemption that you got before this new law came into effect. Fly Safe!

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

[01:34] Today, we talk about flying large drones
[05:29] Is Part 107 applicable to drones weighing over 55 lbs? Which certification do you need for these large drones?
[06:45] Is Section 333 applicable to drone weighing over 55 lbs?

Tags: 55 lbs, air taxi, drone, FAA, multirotor, quadcopter, Safety, section 333, uav

ADU 0729: Can you tow someone with a drone?

January 19, 2018 by narinder

Can you use your drone to tow someone on a skateboard, snowboard or surfboard? Is that legal?

Today, we answer a call from Kevin in New Jersey about towing. He wants to know if towing is allowed by law. Does towing someone on a snowboard violate any of the FAA’s Part 107 regulations?

Whether or not towing is legal depends on where you plan to do it. Towing, after all, can be pretty dangerous. The drone could crash, someone could get hurt and you could end up with a whole set of problems to deal with. If practiced under safe conditions and with the right permits, towing is a perfectly legal thing to do. In this episode, we outline everything you need to know before trying to tow your buddies around. Fly safe!

Energen A40 Model: DRONEUA40

Energen M10 Model: DRONEU M10

Energen P40 Mode: DRONEU P40

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

[03:41] Can you use your drone to tow someone on a skateboard, snowboard or surfboard?
[05:20] Is it unprofessional and unsafe to use your drone to tow someone?
[06:10] Paul states the different obstructions he ran into with the FAA when he wished to use his drone for towing
[08:22] What does Part 107 mention about towing someone with a drone?
[12:09] Are there any regulations on the total weight that a drone can pull?
[14:08] Does flying in snowy weather increase the risk of drone failure?