The new Skydio X2 family of enterprise drones will hit the markets in Q4 2020. Here’s what to expect… By Ishveena Singh What are some of the biggest obstacles enterprises face while starting or scaling an in-house drone program? The need to navigate a steep technical learning curve? The risk of crashing and damaging an expensive device? Shortage of skilled pilots for complex jobs? US-based drone manufacturer Skydio wants to change all that with the introduction of the new X2 family of drones. Best known for its ‘selfie drones’, the X2 will be Skydio’s first non-consumer device, aimed at businesses, government agencies, first responders, and defense customers. And also, cinematographers! At the heart of the X2 is Skydio Autonomy, aka an AI-powered brain built into the drone. The technology leverages advanced computer vision and deep learning techniques to help the drone create a 3D understanding of its surroundings in real-time. This allows Skydio drones to make intelligent flying decisions, avoid obstacles in GPS-denied environments, and basically, fly autonomously. Adam Bry, co-founder and CEO at Skydio, stresses that conventional manual drones limit the scale and scope of the incredible potential of UAVs. “Enterprises have tasted the value that drones can provide, but are also feeling the pain of conventional manually flown systems,” Bry says. “Deployments of drones are constrained by training time, pilot availability, and the difficulty of performing important tasks like a detailed inspection.” The X2, Bry insists, will turn anyone into an expert pilot. Skydio X2 specs and enterprise capabilities The X2 boasts a ruggedized airframe, folding arms, and up to 35 minutes of flight time. It is equipped with 64k navigation cameras for 360-degree obstacle avoidance and a dual-sensor payload that includes 12MP color and 320x256 LWIR thermal sensors. You can also look forward to a new enterprise-grade Skydio Enterprise Controller with a built-in touchscreen, glove-compatible controls, and a new wireless system to extend range up to 6.2 kilometers. And while the drone’s autonomous navigation capabilities can be enjoyed out-of-the-box, Skydio also announced several new software solutions that promise to simplify inspections and situational awareness workflows for a multitude of industries: Skydio Autonomy Enterprise Foundation Its powerful pilot-assist capabilities include 360 Superzoom for maximum situational awareness at 360 degrees; Precision Mode for maximum control while performing detailed inspections or getting tactical situational awareness in dense, challenging, GPS-denied environments; and Vertical View to capture images by looking straight up overhead. Skydio 3D Scan This is a general-purpose digital scan software designed specifically for inspections of complex industrial structures and locations – bridges, building facades, energy infrastructure, accident and crime scenes, etc. Skydio says that the software can manage obliques and concavities also like a pro, empowering the X2 to inspect areas inaccessible to other drones, such as the bottom of bridges, walls, overhangs, and near-the-ground details. Like this: Skydio House Scan This autonomous inspection software has been designed to enable home insurance agents to automatically perform accurate inspections of residential homes safely and without the need to become expert drone pilots. While Skydio is yet to reveal the price of the X2 family of drones, the new birds are slated to hit the markets in Q4 2020. Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN) and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Terra Drone) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, you are likely to find Ishveena on road trips, eating her way through life, or binge-watching TV shows. Connect with her today on LinkedIn and Twitter

A middle school librarian convinced Alphabet subsidiary Wing to deliver books to kids in a Virginia town By Ishveena Singh With the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering schools, libraries, and summer camps across the United States, kids have been experimenting with new ways to learn. Schools have switched over to online education and virtual camps have come up as a pretty interesting alternative to traditional summer camps. Must read: Virtual drone camps to keep kids busy this summer But those who like nothing more than burying their heads in a good book are still struggling to grab their favorite titles from the school library, since worried parents want their children to stay at home as much as possible. This prompted a concerned librarian in Virginia to find a way around the conundrum. And she did so – with the help of drones! Kelly Passek, who works for the Montgomery County Public Schools, has convinced Alphabet subsidiary Wing to deliver library books to kids in Christiansburg, Va., using drones. Wing is an autonomous delivery drone service that has been operational for commercial deliveries in Virginia since late 2019. And Kelly was one of the first customers in Christiansburg to get fresh pastries and home essentials home-delivered by a Wing drone. Now, thanks to her novel initiative, more than 600 families of Montgomery County Public School students can request any book from the library’s catalog of over 150,000 titles and get it delivered by a drone to their yard for free. Since the service has started on a limited trial basis, students will first need to check if their home is within the eligible delivery zone. But all they need to do is fill out an online form on their school’s website. To ensure seamlessness, all the requests are processed by Kelly herself. She pulls the books off the shelves and brings them to Wing’s delivery site. From there, a drone takes the requested titles directly to the students’ homes. Watch the following video to get a better idea of how the service works: “Access to school library resources is essential for the success of our students,” Kelly points out. “This partnership with Wing allows us the most unique way to continue to provide that access so that our students are able to stay engaged with independent reading and continue on their path of success even during this time of social distancing.” Wing received 18 requests on its first day of library deliveries. They even shared the photo of the first recipient: Wing’s Virginia site lead Keith Heyde says he couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this first-of-its-kind pilot program. “My mom, also an elementary school librarian, always taught me to appreciate the library and reading at a young age,” Keith quips, adding that the team got on board as soon as they heard the idea. “Our system is designed to deliver small packages directly to homes through the air. We’ve always believed that the communities we serve would tell us what they need us to put in those packages, and this is a great example of that.” #drones #dronedelivery #dronesforgood Ishveena is an independent journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN) and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Terra Drone Corporation) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, you are likely to find her on road trips, eating her way through life, or binge-watching TV shows. Connect with Ishveena on LinkedIn and Twitter

"Can I bring my drone to Thailand?" By Ishveena Singh Attracting almost 40 million tourists in 2019, the Southern Asian country of Thailand is admittedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. And why not? From stunning sandy white beaches and lush green forests to delicious street food and rich cultural history, Thailand offers travelers everything they could have imagined – and that too at a fraction of the price compared to Europe or the United States. For drone lovers, Thailand’s natural beauty is definitely magnetic. You can get some amazing aerial shots, especially if you are traveling to quiet, less-crowded areas. But what does the law say about flying a drone in Thailand? Drone registration is compulsory in Thailand The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) made drone registration a prerequisite for flying in 2017. Tourists can bring their drones into Thailand. However, in order to get around to actual flying, they first need to register their birds the NBTC and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The following infographic by TAT Newsroom provides a handy snapshot of Thai regulations for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) or drones: Image courtesy: TAT News As you can see above, the Thai government has divided drones into two categories. Let’s help you understand the differentiation: 1. The first category is for the purpose of hobby, entertainment, or sport (recreation). The drone must: a. Weigh no more than 2 kg b. Weigh more than 2 kg but not exceed 25 kg 2. The second category is for purposes other than recreation with a drone weighing under 25 kg: a. For use by media for reporting traffic or incidents b. For photographing, filming, or shooting TV programs c. For research and development of the aircraft d. For other purposes In this blog, we are going to focus only on the first category, i.e., recreational flying. General rules and regulations for flying drones in Thailand You must not fly in a way that could cause harm to the life, property, and peace of others No flying in restricted areas such as near airports, government buildings, or hospitals The drone must be flown in line of sight at all times, no more than 90 meters above the ground No flying over crowds or in any way which violates people’s privacy Fly only between sunrise and sunset, i.e., in daylight Documents required for drone registration in Thailand You will need the following documents to register your drone with the NBTC: A signed copy of the passport with entry stamp Registered address in Thailand (hotel booking would do) Photos and serial numbers of the drone and the controller A copy of the drone insurance policy, providing coverage of at least THB 1 million (approx. $32,000) The key thing to remember is, right now, drone registration can be done only once you are inside the country. So, if you are going only on a short vacation, you may not be able to get the paperwork done in time. Once you obtain NBTC approval, you can apply for CAAT registration. This can be done via an online platform and results are usually received within 15 days. Once the registration is successful, it is valid for two years. So, yay! Risks of flying illegally in Thailand Given how complex and time-consuming the drone registration process in Thailand is, you may be tempted to give your bird a spin without completing the paperwork. Do not. If Thai police catch you flying without NBTC registration, you could face a fine of 100,000 THB (about $3200) or up to 5 years in prison. Flying without CAAT registration comes with a 40,000 THB (almost $1300) penalty and up to 1 year of prison time. Though we have strived to provide you with the most updated Thai drone regulations to the best of our knowledge, please contact the relevant and qualified authorities (in this case, NBTC and CAAT) to ensure the correctness of the information. We take no responsibility for any loss or damage caused by relying on this information. And hey, if you have already flown a drone in Thailand, do share your experience with us in the comments section! Ishveena is an independent journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN) and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Terra Drone Corporation) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, you are likely to find Ishveena on road trips, eating her way through life, or binge-watching TV shows. Connect with her on Twitter: @IshveenaSingh #Thailand #DroneLaws #DroneRules

The Food and Agricultural Organization is actively exploring the use of drones in locust early warning and preventive control Image credit: FAO/Sven Torfinn By Ishveena Singh With confirmed cases around the globe nearing the 10 million mark, COVID-19 continues to demand ingenuity from countries big and small. But for some of the world’s poorest and most fragile nations, the novel coronavirus is only a part of the problem. Vast areas of East Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia are being threatened by a plague of biblical proportions. Since December 2019, swarms of the Desert Locust – the most dangerous of all migratory pest species – have moved rapidly across dozens of countries, devouring food crops and forage. Understanding a crisis within a crisis Locusts are ravenous eaters and can fly up to 150 km a day in search of new supplies. Though an adult locust measures only about the size of a human index finger, it can consume food equaling their own weight in a single day. And let’s not forget that locusts reproduce quickly. Also, they like to move around in groups or swarms. To give you some context, a single square kilometer of a locust swarm can contain anywhere from 40 to 80 million adult locusts, that have the capacity to consume the same amount of food as 35,000 people in one day alone. And swarms can get really big – around 1,100 square kilometers big. So, basically, you have a situation where a swarm the size of Paris ends up eating the same amount of food in one day as half the population of France! This year, unprecedented climatic conditions have provided an exceptional breeding ground for the desert locust. The COVID-19 induced movement restrictions and breakdown in supply chains have only made matters worse. This has led the World Food Programme to declare that at least 40 million people in locust-hit countries will face severe food shortage in 2020. How drones can help The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is actively exploring the use of drones in locust early warning and preventive control. Though it is known that small vegetation patches amid large arid areas serve as the prime feeding grounds for locusts, from the ground, it is often hard to locate these green regions. Therefore, drones could be used to: Survey the terrain Once the data is processed and green spots identified, go directly to those areas and check for locusts Determine the spatial extent of green vegetation at a particular location and map any concentrations of hopper or adult locusts within this area Undertake spot control by spraying pesticides on targeted missions – especially in areas which are difficult for the field teams to access India, which is witnessing its worst locust crisis in almost three decades, has been successful in containing the movement of locusts through pesticide-spraying drones. The country's early-adoption case studies could definitely offer FAO an opportunity to gauge the effectiveness of drone technology. Image credit: FAO Keith Cressman, Senior Locust Forecasting Officer at FAO, agrees. “We are still in the experimental phase when it comes to drones, but it is clear that these kinds of tools will become more important in the years to come," Cressman says. Certainly, the integration of drones in locust monitoring, prevention, and management activities can lead to a decline in the frequency and intensity of infestations. Drones would allow ground teams to cover much larger and difficult-to-reach areas with ease, making the operations more effective and minimizing the risk to humans. Ishveena is an independent journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN), and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Terra Drone Corporation) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, Ishveena likes to take road trips, eat her way through life, or binge-watch TV shows. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Twitter #locusts #locustsattack #dronesforgood #foodsecurity #COVID19 #agriculture #locustswarms #desertlocust

Virtual drone camps have emerged as a pretty interesting alternative to traditional summer camps By Ishveena Singh According to the American Camp Association, more than 20 million kids attend camp each summer in the United States. But with COVID-19 pandemic leading to the cancelation of many traditional sleepaway and day camps this summer, parents have been looking at online substitutes to keep their kids occupied in a productive pursuit. Virtual drone camps have emerged as a pretty interesting option in this backdrop. These online courses will not only allow kids and teens to learn something new, but they are also a fun, inventive way to hone the interest of students in the emerging fields of drones and robotics. Kansas State Polytechnic, for example, will bring teenagers an online drone experience next week through a program called UAS Virtual Academy. The program will teach students flight fundamentals and maneuvers for multirotor aircraft and allow them to discover photography and video skills. The registration window for K-State’s virtual drone program is closed now, but there are several other options that can be considered: Mercer County Community College What: Drone Legends Virtual Camp When: Multiple dates from June to August For whom: Ages 9-12 Fees: $325 (with drone); $175 (without drone) Registration: Click here This virtual camp will teach kids about drones, drone technology, and how to competently and correctly pilot a drone. The camp will be conducted using a programmable drone called Tello, which would allow the instructors to teach kids the basics of programming while having fun. In the very first class, the kids will program their own flight patterns with Tello, commanding it to perform fully autonomous flight missions. SPIRE Academy and the Museum of Future Sports What: Pro Drone Racing Summer Bootcamp When: June 21-27, July 12-18, July 19-25 For whom: Grades 9-12 Fees: $899 Registration: Click here With a complete FPV drone kit (drone, goggles, controller, and Velocidrone) delivered to each camper, SPIRE’s virtual drone racing camps will include daily multiplayer races and sim practice. Flight practice will be combined with engineering, programming bench work, and presentations from visiting pro drone pilots. Challenger Learning Center St. Louis What: Virtual Drone Maker Camp When: July 20-24 For whom: Ages 12 and up Fees: $195 Registration: Click here To enable campers to build and design their own drone, Challenger Learning Center will send participants an education drone kit valued at over $100. During the week of camp, Challenger staff will meet with campers virtually to coach them in drone assembly and coding. Campers will practice with drone simulation software and work together to complete drone missions. Michigan Air & Space Summer Camp What: FPV Drone Racing When: July 20-24 For whom: Grades 9-12 Fees: $249 Registration: Click here In this virtual summer drone racing camp, participants will be introduced to First Person View (FPV) drone racing fundamentals, getting their feet wet, and being able to participate in FPV drone race competitions. The camp will conclude with a multi-player race competition. You will need to bring your own drone. “So, pilots, give a thumbs up if you have good video! Arm your quads! On the tone in less than 5…” Ishveena is an independent journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN) and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Terra Drone Corporation) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, you are likely to find her on road trips, eating her way through life, or binge-watching TV shows. Connect with Ishveena on LinkedIn or Twitter #dronecamp #virtualcamp #FPV #droneracing #dronemaking #summercamp #drones

These tips could get you the BVLOS ‘Holy Grail’ waiver you need for commercial drone operations in US By Ishveena Singh In the United States, commercial drone pilots do not need a waiver to fly a drone for work or business – if they have been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and are following Part 107 rules. However, to fly a drone beyond the pilot's ability to clearly determine its orientation with unaided vision, aka Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), Part 107.31 waiver is required. In the drone industry, the BVLOS waiver is popularly known as the ‘Holy Grail’ – because of how eagerly it is pursued by commercial drone operators and how hard it is to get one. So, how do you ensure that your waiver application does not come back with a glaring ‘Not Approved’ stamp? Here are the top four tips you could follow: Detail C2 Link and Emitters Performance Capabilities According to the FAA, the waiver application must state and demonstrate the maximum range and envelope that the Command-and-Control (C2) can operate in. Keep the geographic area, environment, as well as the terrain in mind while doing so. You must provide a thorough description of each emitter, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grant of authorization and FCC ID number for each transmitter/emitter on the drone and ground control station. In case the C2 operational capabilities are not evident in your application by way of data, you can wave your BVLOS waiver goodbye. Describe Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) Methods A common factor that has been observed among successful BVLOS waiver applications is that they provide detailed descriptions for the risk mitigation procedures adopted to avoid collisions with other aircraft (such as the role of visual observers and technology). Your application is likely to get rejected if the methods to ‘see and avoid’ or ‘detect and avoid’ both participating and non-participating aircraft and persons are not described adequately. For example, the use of a video feed alone is not considered satisfactory because detection would be limited to the direction the camera is pointing in; it would have 360-degree coverage. Similarly, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) alone may not be enough because it provides data only for cooperative traffic and does not address the issue of avoidance. Identify Weather Tracking and Operational Limitations To get the coveted BVLOS waiver from the FAA, your application must provide details of when weather reports will be gathered, what will be gathered, and where they will be taken from. You also need to address the limitations related to weather, such as the drone manufacturer’s limitations or wind speed. Vague statements like ‘We only fly on clear days’ or ‘Weather is to be of Visual Flight Rules in nature’ will not fly with the FAA. Validate Training Requirements for Pilots Not only should your application give the details of the employee training and testing programs, but it must also provide a means for validating their effectiveness. In other words, you must state who all had the training, what the training consisted of, and what method was followed to ensure all required persons have been successfully trained. As such, you should list out the courses/subjects covered and store the tests corrected to 100 percent for easy retrieval later. If it is not evident to the FAA that all participating personnel have adequate knowledge in all aspects of BVLOS, your application is likely to get rejected. For more clarity, we recommend that you go through this sample approved BVLOS waiver application. Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN) and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Terra Drone) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, you are likely to find Ishveena on road trips, eating her way through life, or binge-watching TV shows. Connect with her today on LinkedIn and Twitter

How you can convince FAA to grant your commercial drone business a waiver from Daylight Operations By Ishveena Singh There are several reasons why commercial drone pilots may want to fly after the end of evening twilight – shooting a film, filming a concert, surveilling a facility after dark, curbing nighttime illegal activities, monitoring a forest fire, deterring poachers, or capturing the heat signature of a building at night. But to fly a drone at night, you need to convince the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to grant you a waiver from Daylight Operations (Part 107.29). Here is how to do it: Maintain VLOS and Visual Conspicuity The FAA requires that any drone flying at nighttime be visible for at least 3 statute miles and make use of at least one Visual Observer (VO). As such, your waiver application must contain documentation for the communication methods that will be used between the remote pilot in control (RPIC) and VO(s). These could include direct contact, two-way radio, cellphone, etc. The waiver application must also describe in detail the procedure that would be followed in the event RPIC and VO(s) lose sight of the drone during night operations. See-and-Avoid Methods The Night Operations applications previously approved by the FAA emphasize the methods leveraged to detect other aircraft. For example, the details of the prescriptive training for the RPIC and VO(s) to visually scan airspace; the topics and training material provided to the RPIC and VO(s); and specific training on topics related night vision and night visual illusions. Successful waiver applications also describe methods to avoid other aircraft, including descriptive procedures the RPIC will follow to yield the right-of-way to other aircraft and remain well clear of other aircraft. The methods to locate and avoid hazards to nonparticipants must also be spelled out clearly, as should be the methods to avoid operations over non-participants. You also need to provide procedures for the RPIC and VO to follow when a nonparticipant(s) is located in the ground operations area, as well as the methods to locate, see, and avoid ground-based structures during the flight. Continuous Knowledge of Location and Movement Your waiver application must document what methods you would follow to be cognizant of accurate flight data and the bird’s location continuously. Describe how the RPIC would receive and monitor telemetry data sent from the drone, including the type of data that would be monitored, and how it would be used. You should also explain how onboard or additional lighting added to the drone would be used to make the determinations required in 107.31. Participants’ Knowledge Describe the training that all participants of night operations would undergo to show proficiency in managing risk, overcoming visual illusions, limitations of night vision, etc. Provide a detailed list of the specific subject areas that would be covered, including the lesson plans, and document a resource for training material. Explain how the participants will receive this training and define a method for retaining and retention of knowledge, training records, and knowledge verification records. For more clarity, do go through a representative sample of an approved Part 107.29 application here. Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN) and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Terra Drone) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, you are likely to find Ishveena on road trips, eating her way through life, or binge-watching TV shows. Connect with her today on LinkedIn and Twitter

Each tile on the Hivemapper Studio map has a price. You can map one tile and earn a little, or map a few thousand and earn far more! By Ishveena Singh Since maps are expensive to produce, the companies that make them cannot update them as frequently as they would like to. But if the general public were to be mobilized to become a part of map creation, continually updating a more dynamic and accurate global map could become a painless process. This is the vision that set out geospatial startup Hivemapper on a quest to build an intelligent, global decentralized mapping network with the help of drone pilots and dashcam users. And now, the mapmaker has decided to provide a financial incentive to drone operators who capture aerial 3D imagery for its mapping platform Hivemapper Studio. How does Hivemapper Studio work? What Hivemapper Studio does is that it breaks the world up into hexagon-shaped tiles — 0.1 sq km per tile. Each tile has a price, and some areas are more valuable than others. Preferred locations are displayed as gold tiles on the map and can fetch you $2 per tile. Silver tiles are priced at $0.50 each. Once you have selected the tiles that you would like to map, Hivemapper Studio generates automated flight paths for your drone to follow. This step is important because not only does it simplify the data collection process for drone pilots, but it also ensures contiguous coverage of the area with high-quality data. Upload the aerial footage onto the platform and you get to earn the financial reward associated with it, besides seeing your Hivemapper username displayed on the map, practically marking your ownership of the same. Now, it should be noted that map pricing is dynamic. Events like hurricanes, fires, and construction may create opportunities to earn more. For example, if a hurricane is expected in a region, insurance companies and first responders could put up an urgent request for an updated map, pushing up the price per tile in that region. The good news is that Hivemapper has not put any cap on how many tiles you can map – it could be 1 tile or 100,000 tiles, totally depending on your ease and flexibility. Beta users, who have clocked more than 1,000 tiles on the map, call the platform ‘Pokemon Go for Pilots’ – because that’s how fun it is! Hivemapper is operational in more than 80 countries across the globe and you can explore which areas need to be mapped by clicking here. The company says its collectors have inventoried nearly 9,000 sq km around the world, and the scale of the map is growing 50 percent month over month. As Ariel Seidman, Founder and CEO of Hivemapper, explains, “It is as simple as mapping the world while you move about it – whether that is in your car on your morning commute or while you’re flying your drone. A crowdsourced map breaks us free from Big Tech control and the traditional way of mapping, to better serve and benefit everyone, particularly digitally-enabled companies that need accurate data to safely, sustainably and efficiently run their business.” Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN) and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Aerodyne Group, Terra Drone Corporation) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, you are likely to find Ishveena on road trips, eating her way through life, or binge-watching TV shows. Connect with her today on LinkedIn and Twitter

Company: Former Chief of Staff New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Location: Austin, TX, US Tell us about yourself. I am an advocate for using drones in the homeland security and emergency management ecosystem for security purposes. Drones can be game-changers in the security ecosystem, search and rescue, supply chain delivery and so much more. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I am an avid photographer and with my Masters in Security Studies, I quickly made the vital connections for the use of drones in homeland security and emergency management. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I've always been a photographer, so getting the camera away from my head and have it fly through the sky gave me such a great opportunity to see the world and photograph it from unique perspectives. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? Phantom 4, Mavic Air, Mavic Pro, Mavic Air 2, Mavic Mini, Tello. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? The higher sensor I can get, the better. I like the portability, features, and camera on the Mavic Air 2. What drone images are you most proud of and why? Any image that helps find a missing person, identify hazards, and provide intelligence for security are my favorite images. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Brilliant. Don't let the male-dominated industry push you around and make you think you don't belong... YOU DO! Whether it's from a creative, commercial, or humanitarian perspective, tell us about the most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. Being able to have an aerial perspective to provide aide crossing a hot desert or fining missing persons is most exciting. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? The drone industry needs women who are many times better at connecting the dots, attention to detail, curious, and creative enough to ask the hard questions. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Women often have empathy and compassion that escapes the male-dominated, often militaristic presence of men in the industry. Too often men are ready participants for confirmation bias and groupthink. In my experience, women tend to ask more questions and push the status quo thinking. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? Always have a carrying case for each drone and label each piece of equipment, cable, etc., for each drone and always pack it the same way each time. This way you don't get cables and equipment confused. Pack it like a parachute. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Through my email: englishangi@gmail.com English has an impressive career as a strategic thought leader, leading strategic initiatives in homeland security and emergency management, including various risk management projects for and with state and federal task forces. In 2010, appointed by Secretary Janet Napolitano, English worked with 35 other task force members representing local, state, tribal, and territorial governments to collaboratively take stock of national preparedness and provide recommendations to Congress. The task force worked collaboratively with all stakeholders over a full year to produce a report for Congress, “Perspectives on Preparedness: Taking Stock Since 9/11.” Additionally, English provided advisory services in the development of the Presidential Policy Directive 8, the directive aimed at strengthening the security and resilience of the United States through systematic preparation for the threats that pose the greatest risk to the security of the Nation, including acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks, pandemics, and catastrophic natural disasters. The taskforce also facilitated the overhaul of the Threat and Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the National Disaster Response Framework. In her 30 years working in homeland security, emergency management, mental health, risk management, and disability advocacy communities, she is a recognized award-winning leader. She is also a featured writer for Homeland Security: A Platform by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security For Radical Homeland Security Experimentation with over 30 publications, many focused on navigating “sensemaking in conditions of uncertainty,” and a featured authored in the Wiley Publishers text “Foundations of Homeland Security: Law and Policy, 2nd Edition with a chapter on “Metacognition and Errors in Judgement Related to Decision-Making in Homeland Security.” When she’s not solving tough problems, she is out flying her drones as an FAA Certified Part 107 Drone Pilot or behind the lens of her camera, photographing landscapes in remote areas of the world. Combining her interests for drones and public safety, she was an instrumental advisor in the creation of New Mexico’s Fusion Center’s drone program, a half-million-dollar effort. Additionally, she is a subject matter advisor for DroneResponders, Inc, the world’s largest advocacy agency for use of drones for public safety uses. She volunteers her time with various hunger initiatives such as the Austin Empty Bowl Project or with Austin Wildlife Rescue where at times she has served as a “possum anesthesiologist,” and as a volunteer drone pilot for local search and rescue efforts. Hopelessly in love with her wiener dog, “Harper Lee,” she and her veterinarian spouse care and rehab various kinds of animals in the ecosystem. #PilotSpotlight #dronephotography #femaledronepilot #femaleempowerment #publicsafety #dronesforgood

Location: Orlando, FL, US Tell us about yourself. I'm a physician, photographer, and world traveler. I have been to 48 states, over 90 countries, all seven continents, and all seven modern world wonders. I am Part 107-certified and I specialize in landscape photography as well as altruistic projects like projects in the Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh as well as my most recent project highlighting the Wedgewood Community in Pensacola, FL, and the impact of landfills on the predominantly African-American community. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I have a friend who is one of the premier golf course drone photographers. His photos inspired me to buy a drone to add to my photography. When I found out that only 4 percent of all FAA-licensed drone pilots were women, I was even further motivated to obtain my license, especially after already being in a male-dominated career like medicine. It was also especially exciting to fly my drone in areas of the world where they have never seen them before like with the tribes of Southern Ethiopia and rural Central Africa. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I was already traveling the world for work and vacation and photographing people and landscapes. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I am flying the DJI Mavic Air because it is so portable but I am purchasing the Mavic Pro 2 and the Inspire 2 for an upcoming project. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? I just love being able to capture a perspective that I never could before having a drone. What drone images are you most proud of and why? My most favorite drone images are with several Ethiopian tribes. They were so thrilled to see themselves on camera and technology that they had never seen before. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? My biggest lesson is to take your time both before the flight and in the air. Always try to make a flight plan and obtain Google Images of your area and when you launch your drone, don't get so nervous that you quickly want to land it. Also, be prepared with several batteries and a car charger. Whether it's from a creative, commercial, or humanitarian perspective, tell us about the most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. My most memorable drone flight has been in the Rohingya refugee camps where I volunteered for a medical non-profit as a physician and photographer and captured some of the most incredible images that tell a story of the plight of the Rohingyas. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? Pursue your interest and learn as much as possible. There is so much available online and connecting with other female drone pilots is key. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? We have a unique perspective in the industry that we need to share. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? Spend plenty of time shooting in manual versus auto. It takes your skills to another level. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Through my Instagram @daisyamongroses Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I do both underwater photography and aerial photography and have a great appreciation for all aspects of our amazing planet. Claire Johnson is a physician, photographer, and world traveler. She has been to 48 states, over 90 countries, all seven continents, and all seven modern world wonders. She is Part 107-certified and specializes in landscape photography as well as altruistic projects like chronicling the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh and highlighting the Wedgewood Community in Pensacola, FL, and the impact of landfills on African-Americans. #PilotSpotlight #dronephotography #femaledronepilot #bussinesswomen #DJIMavicAir #FloridaDronePilot #dronevideos #femaleempowerment

Company: Rocketmine Aerial Data Solutions Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Tell us about yourself. I am a Project Engineer and professional drone pilot operating predominantly in the South African mining industry with extensive aviation experience. I have achieved my private pilot license (PPL), drone license, drone instructors rating, and have become a designated RPAS examiner (DRE). I am also greatly passionate about photography, aviation, and technology. I am quite the tech geek at heart. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? My initial goal was to become a commercial pilot but unfortunately, there is an excessive amount of red tape that one has to go through to get to that point. It is also an extremely expensive endeavor to pursue. Therefore, due to my love for technology and passion for aviation, I began to do some research on the drone industry and explored becoming a drone pilot. I found this to be a good fit for me, offering a great opportunity for the future. And, hence, I decided to pursue my drone rating. Shortly after that, I joined Rocketmine which is a professional drone data service provider for enterprises. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I worked as an account manager for a large FMCG corporate for six years and did quite well. However, this didn’t spark my interest and at the end of the day, this wasn’t what I wanted to do for the entirety of my working career, especially since my true passion is aviation and technology. This is what caused me to make the transition to drone piloting. In hindsight, I am so grateful that I chose to make the change because, with the COVID-19 pandemic, countless jobs were lost whereas I was part of the lucky few that was able to work throughout the hard lockdown in South Africa. My work truly didn’t skip a beat. Following my passion really has paid dividends. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I currently fly two drones on-site. These include my personal favorite, the Sensefly Ebee X, which is best suited for survey and mapping, covering large distances in a short space of time. I also fly the DJI Matrice 210 RTK equipped with an X7S camera which works great for inspections, 3D modeling, highwall monitoring, and pre- and post-blast monitoring. In terms of accessories, I would firstly like to point out that extra batteries are life! Otherwise, a close second (maybe even tied first) would be a decent ND filter. Due to images being distorted by sunrays, the ND filter can be used to enhance picture quality, especially in my industry where our clients expect only the best drone images. It is almost like a pair of polarised sunglasses for your drone 😉 What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? In a professional environment, I would definitely have to say that my favorite feature is that flight plans for Ebee X can be adjusted in-flight. This allows me to manipulate the drone in-flight whereby the drone will simply put in a hold, do a 360-circle while I adjust an area in-flight, and then the drone will continue as normal once you are finished like nothing ever happened. This really is such an amazing feature because now I don’t have to land the drone to make adjustments and change the flight plan which is a massive time saver. What drone images are you most proud of and why? I entered a Pix4D photo competition in 2019 whereby the Pix4D community voted for their favorite image as taken by drones. There were 97 submissions captured from all around the world. The image I submitted won me a spot in the top five but what I am most proud of is the fact that my submission was the only African image that was selected to be a part of the top five drone photos in the final voting stages. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? The biggest lesson I have learned is that if you are passionate about something then go for it! Don’t be afraid to try new things even if you fail. Just fail fast, get back up and start moving forward onto the next thing. You may not get it right the first time, but practice makes perfect and with the more experience you gain, the more successful your drone flying will be. Be brave enough to push your comfort zone, get your hands dirty, and be the trendsetter. I promise you won’t regret it. Also, never underestimate yourself because you’re a girl. Girls can be hardcore, badass aviators too 😉 Whether it's from a creative, commercial, or humanitarian perspective, tell us about the most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I would definitely have to say that my first drone project was by far my most memorable flight. I had to do a thermal drone inspection to monitor one of our clients’ tailings dams to ensure there were no leaks, seepages or cracks as failures such as these can be super detrimental to mine safety and productivity. It was a very memorable flight for me because of how the team came together to deliver excellent imagery to the client. At the end of the day, the client was so happy with our work, and getting such positive validation on my first flight was an experience I cannot describe in words. I have never seen a client so excited to receive their data. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? The industry really is so broad, and the applications and possibilities of drones are almost endless. Drone technology is here to stay and it is definitely the way of the future. So, take comfort in knowing that if you decide to pursue drones there really is so much potential and I don’t think we’ve even hit the cusp of what can be done with this amazing technology. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? In South Africa, drone piloting is uncharted territory, especially for women. Because of that, I feel it is imperative that we girls assist each other to be the best drone pilots the African continent has ever seen. I think it is important that those women who are already immersed in the drone market ensure that they contribute towards making it a safe environment to enter and get more involved in for other ladies. If we can set a precedent of support this will only benefit the drone industry going forward. There really is no point in being stingy with your information and experience. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? One of the best things you can do to produce great quality images is to know your camera inside and out. Fully embrace all the features on your camera and secondly, don’t be afraid to play around with the manual settings because that is where you’ll capture your best images. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Please feel free to check in with me on Instagram. My handle is @andrea_chetty and I’ll be posting tons of drone images. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I just really want to say, don’t ever let the boys make you feel like they can do something better than you. If you put your head down and work hard you truly can gain tremendous respect from your peers in the drone space where guys will even come to you for drone-related advice because you are just as capable to learn the same skills. And this is coming from a girl operating drones in mining. Andrea Chetty is an avid aviator currently working as a Project Engineer at Rocketmine South Africa. She specializes in aerial data capture for the mining, agriculture, and construction industries. Andrea is a certified drone pilot who focuses on drone photography for surveying and mapping, blast monitoring, inspection, 3D modeling, and reality capture. She is also deeply passionate about photography, technology, and everything geeky. #PilotSpotlight #dronedata #femaledronepilot #bussinesswomen #DronesinMining #SouthAfricanDronePilot #droneinspection #femaleempowerment

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library If you follow drone pilots on social media, your feed is probably flooded with images of far-off lands with rarely-seen coasts and magical skylines. You may have even seen news about the latest drone racing championships held over season your timeline. While there are many things to see and do with a drone in other countries, the U.S. is also the land of opportunity. Innovative uses for UAVs are popping up in different industries all over the country, and America has its own treasures visible with a bird's-eye view. Using a combination of the Consumer Technology Association's Innovation Scoreboard, geography, and social media, I have created a list of what could be considered the best places to fly in the U.S.A. These places have beautiful sights, drone innovations, and few regulations (or none) for recreational pilots. As a disclaimer, even though these states may not have significant statewide regulations for drones, federal regulations still apply and cities can have their own local laws regarding UAVs. Always ensure that flying is legal wherever you intend to do so. Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library MONTANA Montana has a few state laws limiting the use of drones, but only one that affects the recreational use of drones: HB 0644, which prohibits using UAS to interfere with wildfire suppression efforts. Commercially, drones are being carefully integrated into the state’s agricultural practices. Montana is naturally beautiful and has many visually interesting sites. For example, the Anaconda Smelter Stack, a structure that stands at 585 feet, appear fantastical with its intimidating stature. Montana also has natural beauties like Bitterroot Valley, Mystic Lake, and mountain ranges. A few years ago, Bitterroot Valley was also the founding location of a drone startup: Flight Evolved. Flight Evolved was founded by two entrepreneurs in Hamilton, Montana, which is in the valley's center, and it provides inspection, imaging, and mapping services. Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library ALASKA Alaska has no state laws restricting consumer usage of drones, making it an ideal place for flight and drone innovation. Some Alaskan schools are even incorporating drones into their curriculum to prepare students for the “growing business applications”. Alaska's only state drone law limits how law enforcement, i.e. Alaska's UAV task force, can use drones. Alaska also has an aesthetic appeal. It has a vast photogenic landscape with mountains, ice, bodies of water, and a gorgeous night sky. This makes it an ideal location for photography and videography. A popular location for pilots is Prince William Sound where you can get footage of the water and marine life. Prince William Sound College even has an sUAS class, which is receiving funding from a University of Alaska Statewide Workforce Program grant. Video Credit: AkxPro ARKANSAS Arkansas is also relaxed in the realm of drone legislation, having only two state laws regarding drone use: it’s illegal to “use a drone to record someone who has a reasonable expectation of privacy” and to use UAS to “collect information about or photographically or electronically record information about critical infrastructure without consent”. Arkansas’ rural geography makes it an attractive state for drone photography. Popular sites for pilots are the Ozark Mountains and Royal Gorge Bridge. The Ozark mountains are especially popular with several drone videos on YouTube and a website dedicated to them. There’s even a website dedicated to drones in Arkansas called “Drones Over Arkansas”. Their website features news, photography, videos, and recommended gear. Video Credit: Ozark Drones These are just a few of the best places to fly drones for a variety of reasons. Your personal favorite may not have made the list, but keep sharing your photos and videos and telling everyone why you love it. Maybe we'll cover why you're spot's the best in another post. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #bestplacestofly #flyingwithadrone #unitedstates #montana #alaska #arkansas #princewilliamsound #OzarkMountains #BitterrootValley #dronelaws