Harnessing Aerial - Drone Podcast

To all the Harnessing Aerial listeners this year and everyone who liked, subscribed, or shared the podcast this year - THANK YOU! 

This is a wrap for 2020 and Season 1 of the Harnessing Aerial podcast but don't worry, we will be back in 2021 with other great guests & value-packed content! 

If you have any suggestions for guests or topics you want to hear from, please connect & message Leo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-adams/ 

Also, to learn more about job opportunities with Skye Link drop us a note at [email protected], we would love to hear from you! 

To join Skye Link's nationwide pilot team, you can create a free account on www.skyelink.org/register.

Show Notes:

What You Will Learn-

(1:20) How Darshan got involved in the UAS industry and how he progressed on his drone industry journey to become regarded as a top industry consultant, speaker, & leader.

(7:00) What Darshan’s role was at the NCDOT and how he was involved in standing up one of the leading state UAS programs, the FAA IPP, and other state drone operations.

(10:00) What the foundation of a successful UAS program is and the piece education plays in long term success.

(12:05) What the NC DroneSafe Initiative is and how it creates a safety culture within the local communities

(14:00) Why do some drone pilots overlook safety procedures and what drone pilots need to be doing to ensure they act in a safe manner and conduct smooth operations

(19:00) Why flight safety begins at the top of the organization but does not end there – how pilot safety training is crucial to foster a strong safety culture within UAS programs.

(23:00) Tips & suggestions for drone pilots to get involved in disaster response operations and partner with companies to fly for emergency response, hurricane damage assessment, and other public safety operations

(28:30) How Darshan formed the AUVSI NC chapter and what their focus is and how they are involved in the North Carolina UAS community. How UAS professionals can follow Darshan’s steps to start their own local UAS groups.

(33:00) What the new normal is with drone conferences and why virtual workshops, trainings, webinars will continue to be the networking and education forum for years to come

(37:10) Darshan’s top lesson learned and piece of advice for drone pilots from his time in the drone industry

Links Mentioned:

AUVSI NC website

AIRAVAT

Darshan’s Linkedin

What You Will Learn-

(1:20- 4:08) Bobby’s background dating back to 2006 with RC and how he became a UAS pilot, technician, manufacturer and innovator

(4:15- 6:45 ) What Watts Innovations does, who they manufacturer drones for, and how they have been able to compete with the major UAS manufacturers in the industry with a unique strategy

(6:50) How did the idea of PRISM begin and what will the platform offer

(8:15 -14:30) All about the PRISM platform (customizations/modifications, airframe, compatible payloads, systems, battery type, remote controller, technical specifications including flight time, industry/service use cases)

(14:30) How COVID-19 has effected Watts Innovations, how Bobby had to pivot with the PRISM launch during the ongoing pandemic, and other strategy changes for Watts Innovations

(17:45-23:00) Is PRISM fully American Made? – The platform components that are engineered and manufactured in the US vs the specific parts that are sourced outside the US.

(23:00) What flight software PRISM runs on, what other flight mapping software it is compatible with, and the various functionalities Watts QGC offers.

(25:55) Versatility and portability features of PRISM

(27:30) When PRISM will be available to purchase & when they will begin shipping

(28:50) How to pre-order PRISM, what is the price of PRISM, and what is included at that price

(31:30) What is Propulsion ID, how it is built into PRISM, and why it is key for the versatility of the platform to be gimbal or propulsion system agnostic

Links Mentioned:

https://wattsinnovations.com/

https://instagram.com/wattsinnovations 

https://www.facebook.com/WattsInnovations 

https://www.youtube.com/user/BobbyWattsHeli 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/28660144 

What You Will Learn-

(1:00-4:20) Fritz’s background within Public Safety and how his journey lead him to the UAS industry within roles at Skydio and the Chula Vista Police Department

(4:35-10:00) How the Chula Vista Police Department was able to obtain the first BVLOS waiver granted to a public safety organization, the considerations that went in place to successfully get approval from the FAA , and how that opened up their operations

(10:45-13:30) Recommendations for Public Safety agencies applying for a BVLOS waiver– Also where to get resources to help you with the waiver application process

(13:45) Steps for public safety organizations to take to develop a UAS program

(16:00) The top drone for public safety organizations and what features they need to look for when adding a UAS to their fleet.

(19:45-24:00) The impact that Skydio is making here in the US drone industry and what the future outlook is after Skydio has become one of the US government’s 5 approved drone companies and announcing a $100M Series C funding round

(24:00) How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Skydio including the publicized production issues and how they have shown resilience during this time

(26:30) Outside of public safety, what the other industries that Skydio drones are being used in successfully

(30:00) What advanced technology and features have been built into the Skydio 2

(32:15) Fritz top lessons learned from his time in the industry and his tips for drone pilots out there

William “Fritz” Reber,  Head of Public Safety at Skydio and former police captain of the Chula Vista Police Department joins Leo for a lively conversation on drones in public safety diving into how the Chula Vista Police Department was able to obtain the first BVLOS waiver granted to a public safety organization and tips for other agencies interested in obtaining the new FAA tactical BVLOS waiver. They also dive into Skydio’s future outlook between being named 1 of 5 US approved drone platforms, $100M Series C funding round, past pandemic production issues, and all the advanced technology and features that have been built into the Skydio 2.

Links Mentioned: 

Skydio‘s website

The email for the emergency response program is [email protected]

Chula Vista PD Drone Program 

What You Will Learn-

(1:00-4:20) Fritz’s background within Public Safety and how his journey lead him to the UAS industry within roles at Skydio and the Chula Vista Police Department

(4:35-10:00) How the Chula Vista Police Department was able to obtain the first BVLOS waiver granted to a public safety organization, the considerations that went in place to successfully get approval from the FAA , and how that opened up their operations

(10:45-13:30) Recommendations for Public Safety agencies applying for a BVLOS waiver– Also where to get resources to help you with the waiver application process

(13:45) Steps for public safety organizations to take to develop a UAS program

(16:00) The top drone for public safety organizations and what features they need to look for when adding a UAS to their fleet.

(19:45-24:00) The impact that Skydio is making here in the US drone industry and what the future outlook is after Skydio has become one of the US government’s 5 approved drone companies and announcing a $100M Series C funding round

(24:00) How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Skydio including the publicized production issues and how they have shown resilience during this time

(26:30) Outside of public safety, what the other industries that Skydio drones are being used in successfully

(30:00) What advanced technology and features have been built into the Skydio 2

(32:15) Fritz top lessons learned from his time in the industry and his tips for drone pilots out there

William “Fritz” Reber,  Head of Public Safety at Skydio and former police captain of the Chula Vista Police Department joins Leo for a lively conversation on drones in public safety diving into how the Chula Vista Police Department was able to obtain the first BVLOS waiver granted to a public safety organization and tips for other agencies interested in obtaining the new FAA tactical BVLOS waiver. They also dive into Skydio’s future outlook between being named 1 of 5 US approved drone platforms, $100M Series C funding round, past pandemic production issues, and all the advanced technology and features that have been built into the Skydio 2.

Links Mentioned: 

Skydio‘s website

The email for the emergency response program is [email protected]

Chula Vista PD Drone Program 

David Young, Founder of Drone Launch Academy joins Leo for an interesting discussion centered around how new drone pilots can grow their business and develop their skills to find early traction and create long term success within the industry. David shares stories from the thousands of drone pilots his company has trained and provides interesting branding and marketing tips that will surely help new to the industry remote pilots score early wins and build momentum.

What You Will Learn-

(1:15) How David got into the aviation industry and founded Drone Launch Academy

(7:30) The benefit of taking an actual hand on or virtual educational drone course vs just trying to learn on the fly on your own

(9:00) Considerations/important factors to help you decide if taking a drone course is right for you

(11:00) What courses Drone Launch Academy offers and what value they can bring to your drone service business

(13:45) Top methods that drone pilots/DSPs are using to market and find new business

(15:40) One tactic to grow your business, expand your network, and build more experience when starting a new drone business or offering a new service.

(20:00) What the most common skillset that all the most successful drone pilots and dronepreuners have in common

(23:35) Branding and digital marketing tips for drone service providers

(26:15) The difference between “traffic that you own” vs “traffic you don’t own” and why creating an email list is key to growing your business

(28:50) Why referrals are critical once you get a couple initial clients for your business

(30:00) David’s top lessons learned from his almost 5 years in the drone industry and his countless conversations with drone pilots in the Drone Launch Academy community.

Learn More About Drone Launch Academy Courses: (Discount Code Through Below Links)

David Young, Founder of Drone Launch Academy joins Leo for an interesting discussion centered around how new drone pilots can grow their business and develop their skills to find early traction and create long term success within the industry. David shares stories from the thousands of drone pilots his company has trained and provides interesting branding and marketing tips that will surely help new to the industry remote pilots score early wins and build momentum.

What You Will Learn-

(1:15) How David got into the aviation industry and founded Drone Launch Academy

(7:30) The benefit of taking an actual hand on or virtual educational drone course vs just trying to learn on the fly on your own

(9:00) Considerations/important factors to help you decide if taking a drone course is right for you

(11:00) What courses Drone Launch Academy offers and what value they can bring to your drone service business

(13:45) Top methods that drone pilots/DSPs are using to market and find new business

(15:40) One tactic to grow your business, expand your network, and build more experience when starting a new drone business or offering a new service.

(20:00) What the most common skillset that all the most successful drone pilots and dronepreuners have in common

(23:35) Branding and digital marketing tips for drone service providers

(26:15) The difference between “traffic that you own” vs “traffic you don’t own” and why creating an email list is key to growing your business

(28:50) Why referrals are critical once you get a couple initial clients for your business

(30:00) David’s top lessons learned from his almost 5 years in the drone industry and his countless conversations with drone pilots in the Drone Launch Academy community.

Learn More About Drone Launch Academy Courses: (Discount Code Through Below Links)

Show Notes:

What You Will Learn-

(5:00/11:50) The founding story of InterDrone and how it progressed from a hobbyist drone show into a top commercial UAS conference in thee industry

(7:45) The importance of networking and recommendations to broaden your network & reach within the industry

(10:45) How the COVID-19 pandemic has effected InterDrone and what the current plan is for the 2020 conference

(15:00) What InterDrone looks for in its speakers/presenters in order to drive high value quality educational content and what their vetting process looks like

(17:45) Suggestions for finding you own voice when creating or curating content that resonates with your audience

(18:45) The importance of listening to your audience to shift your content and/or business strategy & ways to do that

(20:00) Why flight logging is one of the most underrated marketing/sales tools for drone pilots and drone service providers

 (21:55) How a niche focused strategy helps you build expertise and credibility within your industry segment to grow your business

(22:45) Why Google Ads is a crucial tools for DSPs and how to use it effectively for your drone service business

(24:35) Mike’s top 3 insights/lesson learned from his 5+ years in the UAS industry

Learn More About InterDrone: https://interdrone.com/

What You Will Learn-

(1:20-4:30) How Ryan got involved in Aviation and why he decided to specialize in aerial thermography.

(4:50) The benefits of specialization and selecting a niche for your business

(7:00) Recommendations for getting into aerial thermography and the process and unique ways of conducting a cost benefit analysis to decide if it is the right niche for you

(12:00) How to leverage LinkedIn to effectively market your business, sell your drone services and network within in the UAS industry

(15:50) How obtaining a part 107.29 daylight waiver can open up opportunities for your UAS business to offer more aerial thermography services and the services you can offer once you obtain that waiver

(17:30) Tips when applying for the part 107.29 daylight waiver

(19:30) The importance of utilizing UAS risk assessment and safety checklists to minimize the 3 types of risk and hazards during drone operations

(20:37) What the IMSAFE acronym means as it relates pilot risk assessment in both manned and unmanned aviation

(22:35) Recommendations for pilots to start developing and where to find UAS risk assessments, pre/post flight checklists, and other standard operating procedures documents.

(24:50) How manned aviation experience can benefit you as an unmanned pilot

(27:50) Best drone software for flight planning, airspace, mapping, flight logs and other tools to keep your UAS operations safe & organized

(31:25) Ryan’s top 3 lessons learned from his experience in the industry

(37:00) Rapid Fire 3 Final Questions

Links Mentioned:

https://infraredaerial.com/

What You Will Learn-

(1:15) How Bryan got involved in aviation and at Zipline

(2:30) What Zipline is and how they are innovating in the drone delivery space

(3:20) The progression of Zipline from beginning delivering medical supplies in Africa to now operating for COVID response here in the United States and North Carolina

(4:40) How the lessons learned from operating in much lesser controlled airspace in Africa translated to operations in North Carolina where the airspace is much more congested and heavily regulated

(6:25) How Ziplines safety orientation and partnership approach has been helpful in allowing them to obtain BVLOS approval from the FAA.

(7:45) How Zipline is leveraging their BVLOS waiver for COVID in North Carolina

(8:49) What is entailed in the BVLOS waiver and what is required to remain compliant

(10:45) The technology behind and built into the Zipline UAS aircraft

(12:35) What makes Zipline unique compared to other drone delivery companies out in the industry

(14:40) How Zipline’s current North Carolina operations are building a framework to give them scalability within the United States as regulations continue to open up for a more UAS integrated NAS.

(16:35) What Zipline’s expansion plans look like in the coming years both here in the US and internationally

(18:20) What are the lessons learned so far from operating in rural vs urban environments and how route planning plays a crucial role in operational safety

(20:05) Advice for UAS operators and how to find their passion and niche in the UAS industry

(21:25) The correlation between safety and being successful in the UAS industry

(23:40) How being a private pilot is very helpful to get into in the drone delivery industry but will be less important in the future

(25:55) Where you can connect further with Bryan or learn more about Zipline’s operations or employment opportunities

(27:00) Rapid Fire 3 Final Questions