Harnessing Aerial - Drone Podcast

Questions-

(1:15) Tell us about your background and how you got to Drone Deploy today.

(2:37) Tell us about how you grew a small drone service business into a large company offering enterprise services to large customers

(4:10) What are Enterprise clients really interested in when it comes to the data they are looking to acquire using drones?

(5:50) What are some challenges enterprise clients have when scaling out their drone program and where are there opportunities for Drone Service Providers (DSPs) to supplement those companies with their services?

(7:10) Do you have any tips for DSPs to help them create great portfolios of their work?

(9:40) What is the difference between drone service company and drone software business and how to partner together to maximize value for clients

(11:15) What makes Drone Deploy better than other mapping software and why should drone pilots look at Drone Deploy over others?

(13:05) What are most UAS pilots overlooking about Drone Deploy and what they need to understand about Drone Deploy

(14:30) Is Drone Deploys streamlined analytics only done through the app market?

(15:35) What industries does Drone Deploy offer their turnkey analytics for?

(16:45) Are the turnkey analytics DD offers super expensive or what is the pricing structure?

(17:45) What other major drone industry players do we need to keep our eyes on in 2020?

(19:43) What is the vision and future outlook for Drone Deploy?

(21:00) Do you have any suggestions for new DSPs or DSPs that want to grow further within the mapping industry?

(22:15) How do you go out there to acquire new client, any business development tips?

(25:00) Rapid Fire Round – Final 3

Coolest project you have worked on?

Biggest lesson learned as a droneprenuer?

Favorite drone to fly?

What You Will Learn-

(2:45) How Andrew raised capital and scaled his small drone business

(3:26) The importance of data in drone operations

(4:25) How clients are using drone data in construction, agriculture, oil & gas, and engineering firms.

(5:30) The barriers for enterprise clients to begin a drone program and the challenges once they begin implementing aerial data.

(6:05) What you need to do in order to provide services to and partner with companies that have internal drone programs

(7:15) How to build a winning portfolio that will help you convert more prospects into clients.

(8:15) Why a free to fee model can actually work but how you need to structure it in order for it to be successful

(10:00) The difference between a drone service company and drone software business

(11:56) The strategy that has helped elevate Drone Deploy to become a leader in the drone software space and how its differentiated from others

(13:23) Why Drone Deploy is much more than a mapping software and how it’s drone program management software help DSPs from flight planning and airspace coordination, to complete data analysis and reporting

(14:40) How Drone Deploy offers specialized data analytics/reporting and where to find those turnkey services outside of the app market

(15:35) How facility managers are utilizing drones and aerial data

(17:55) The drone industry players you need to keep an eye on in 2020

(19:50) What Drone Deploy is investing in throughout 2020 and beyond & how it will help DSPs of all types

(21:07) The actions DSPs need to be taking to grow their drone service business and what is less important that they need to put on the back burner

(22:28) The ways Drone Services Providers can develop new business and improve their sales

(23:21) How important going to conferences and getting face to face contact with prospects/client is to help your drone service business

(24:13) How Coronavirus can actually help drone service companies to get in with enterprise clients that may have internal UAS programs

For more information on the podcast or this episode visit: https://skyelink.org/blog/Harnessing-Aerial-Podcast-Launch

Questions-

(1:10) Tell us about your background

(4:20) What services and consulting does Aerial Camera Services provide?

(6:20) Tell us about branding, how you did it and any tips to successfully brand

(9:05) What has been your biggest challenge in having to wear so many different hats as a solopreneur?

(11:52) What would be some tips for drone pilots to find success and get out of those dead end jobs.

(14:10) What drones and sensors are you working with currently?

(18:00) Would you recommend sUAS infrared training or recommend pilots to become a certified thermographer?

(26:45) Final 3 Rapid Fire:

-What is your go to healthy snack for a full day drone job?

-Favorite drone to fly?

-Favorite place you have ever flown?

What You Will Learn-

(3:30) The importance of becoming a good drone flyer to be a good drone service provider

(5:50) Why you need to narrow your niche and how it can help you win customers

(6:30) Tips for branding yourself and your company

(9:45) Ways to optimize your time as a solopreneur to become more efficient and maximize your effectiveness

(12:04) Tips for drone pilots to find success and get away from dead end jobs/clients.

(13:20) Suggestions to brand new pilots or for anyone that wants to get into the drone business

(15:25) Lessons learned from drone crashes

(16:28) Why using pre/post flight checklists and operational documentation is essential for safety

(18:10) Should you become a certified thermographer if you would like to offer aerial infrared imaging

(22:25) The importance of understanding your thermal sensor and basics of thermography to offer infrared imaging and inspection services successfully

(24:20) Why the lowest cost provider strategy can be a downfall to any drone business

(26:00) How saying No to clients can help elevate your business, help you win back more time, and ultimately differentiate your business

For more information on the podcast or this episode visit: https://skyelink.org/blog/Harnessing-Aerial-Podcast-Launch

Questions-

(1:20) Tell us about your background in Aviation and UAVs from your time in the Navy & Army.

(6:04) What does your company MODUS specialize in?

(8:30) What is LiDAR and how does it work?

(11:18) What industries are you seeing Drone Based LiDAR being used in?

(15:50) What are the key factors you should be considering when acquiring a LiDAR sensor?

(18:05) What are some scenarios that LiDAR is best to use over photogrammetry?

(23:00) Is the added cost of LiDAR worth it if you are currently using ground control points, ppk or rtk systems?

(25:12) Your biggest challenge starting a geospatial consulting / LiDAR business?

(31:15) Rapid Fire Round – Final 3

What is the coolest project you have worked on?

Favorite place to fly?

Favorite drone to fly?

What You Will Learn-

(5:26) What are the two main challenges in the drone industry right now

(8:34) What LiDAR is and the difference between a LiDAR sensor and a normal visual camera

(10:25) Why would you use LiDAR? What situations is it beneficial

(12:05) The industries that have the highest usage of drone based LiDAR and what are companies in those industries specifically using LiDAR for?

(15:10) What kind of LiDAR system do you need for your use case

(15:35) Which LiDAR sensors can give you the best ROI

(16:25) The factors and data requirements you need to know to evaluate which LiDAR sensor is best for your clients requirements

(18:31) When to use photogrammetry vs when to use LiDAR and the benefits of each method

(23:35) Difference between ground control points and quality control points

(25:20) Challenges when starting LiDAR mapping business

(26:50) Why BVLOS is important from a mapping perspective and the operational barriers it creates in the current regulatory environment

(29:00) How do you show the cost saving benefits and demonstrate risk reduction of LiDAR to potential enterprise clients

(29:50) Importance of knowing your customers to start selling drone-based LiDAR services

Links Mentioned:

-ASPRS Standards (http://www.asprs.org/a/society/divisions/pad/Accuracy/Draft_ASPRS_Accuracy_Standards_for_Digital_Geospatial_Data_PE&RS.pdf)

-LiDAR Equipment / Rentals (modus-ai.com)

-Online LiDAR Training (learn.modus-ai.com)

Newly released drone podcast, Harnessing Aerial, aims to provide insights and resources to the drone community from interview-style conversations with expert drone pilots, service providers, and industry stakeholders, that help listeners harness the power of aerial.

We dive deep into guest’s backgrounds, journeys, and experiences that allowed them to elevate in the industry and develop the skillsets they leverage now to make drones a power for good. They share their tips, tricks, & advice on where the drone industry is headed and how to position yourself effectively to maximize your success & impact the segment you serve. #HarnessingAerial #TimeToElevate #PowerofPilots