Photo Credit: Wix Shutter Stock Drone mapping is a recent iteration of aerial photogrammetry, the science of taking measurements from photographs, or a method of creating topographic maps from aerial photography. Multiple overhead shots of a location are combined to create 2D or 3D models or maps for the purposes of land surveying. These models are used in industries like construction, mining, city planning, and environmental research. Previously, aerial photogrammetry required advanced digital cameras to be mounted to the bottom of an aircraft while someone inside the craft controlled the camera to take pictures. The area was flown over multiple times to obtain multiple shots, and close-up shots were taken by remote-controlled planes. If the whole land area cannot be captured, it's difficult to create an accurate 3D model, so aerial photogrammetry is combined with other photographic technology like laser scanners and LiDAR technology (a method of measurement using laser light). This method of mapping is commonly used for land surveying and has increased in efficiency because of drones. Drone mapping is aerial photogrammetry taken to the next level. Drones are easier to use and more cost-efficient when compared to traditional methods of aerial photogrammetry. Rather than having to rely on a large, costly manned aircraft, a pilot can simply fly a drone with a vertically-mounted camera overhead and quickly take pictures from the ground. After enough quality images have been taken, the client or pilot can use drone mapping software to create their digital map of the location. Different software options are available for mapping. DroneDeploy is a well-reviewed option that's used in more than 180 countries. DroneDeploy produces drone mapping software to facilitate the creation of 3D models, and they state that their goal is to unify the commercial drone industry and increase the accessibility of drone data. In addition to DroneDeploy, there are other options like Pix4D, Agisoft, and Precision Hawk. 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 #droneinnovation #dji #dronemapping #aerialphotogrammetry #LiDAR #LiDARtechnology #DroneDeploy #dronemappingsoftware

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? I have been flying drones since 2011 or so however once I saw my friends video post on Facebook (in 2013) with a camera mounted drone, I knew at that moment that I "needed" to have one. He was kind enough to direct me to DJI where I purchased my first camera drone which was the Phantom 2 Vision Plus. Tell us about your company/work/organization and your position. My favorite thing to do with my drones is to capture memorable scenes from above. To me, it is like capturing an entire even as a whole story. With that said, I fly for fun and teach others to do the same. I created my name "GlideByJJ" so that people can follow my videos on social media. What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favorite thing about it? DJI all the way! I have the Phantom 2, Phantom 3 Pro, Inspire 1 and Mavic Air. I like the Air for the portability, the Phantom 3 Pro because I am very use to the controls and it handles like a dream, and the inspire because it is cool to watch soaring through the air and can withstand a bit of wind better than the others. Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? I have learned that it is beneficial to educate others as to how drones work and to be very open when approached in public by curious by standers. I am always happy to share my screen provided I can safely do so. It is always great to see the surprised and amazed look of someone's face when they see the beauty from above for the first time. It also helps them to realize there is little detail seen from a drone when it comes to identifying people regarding privacy concerns. Whether its from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. My most memorial flight was near the demolition site of a psychiatric hospital called Greystone Park in June 2015. I was flying around taking it all in when the project supervisor came out to ask me about my drone. Not too excited to most people, however the fact that we now live together with our children makes this my most memorable flight. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? I would suggest to anyone who is interested in getting into drones or the drone industry to learn the rules first. Female or male, it is so important to know what is legal when flying. Unfortunately some people have negative impressions on drones, however if we all do our part to fly responsibly and help others along the way we can get an overall more positive vibe going. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I am happy to see more and more women entering the drone world. When I just started flying 4-5 years ago all of the meet ups were made up of men. Anytime I had my drone in the air and there was a man by me, strangers would walk up and start asking him questions rather than thinking to ask me (the drone pilot). It finally seems like people are starting to realize that there are women who not only fly drones, but are pretty good at it ;) I believe my editor and I were the only all female team to win the NYCDFF. There is still a lot of men but it's inspiring to see how many women have since made names for themselves in the industry. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I simply enjoy flying and creating in my own way. It thrills me to put my stories together how I see them and to take photos that make me feel good. Not everyone wants to see a rowboat stuck on the edge of a still lake and a waterfall but to me, that's (my) art. My name is Jody Johnson. I started flying (DJI) camera mounted drones in early 2014. I have always been a bit of a tech nerd and wear the name proudly. I have enjoyed filming local happenings, new construction, old demolition etc. My excitement for taking aerial photos has given me something new to feel passionate about. I am grateful to all those who have found and followed me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms. I truly appreciate all of the kind comments and look forward to posting more unique angles to my pages. #spotlightinterview #femaledronepilot #WOMENWHODRONE #interview #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #dronegirl

Many people start their mornings with a fresh cup of coffee. You may brew it yourself at home or head down to your local Starbucks. But, how would your days change if you could get your favorite coffee delivered to you, wherever you were, via drone? Companies have been working on using drones to increase delivery times for a few years now. The creation of a drone that delivers coffee has also been in the works for years. In 2014, entrepreneurs in Amsterdam reported that they were working on a drone that delivered coffee around their office building. Designers at A-lab dubbed this drone the Coffee Copter. Using the Coffee Copter app, patrons place their orders to the coffee shop on the ground floor, then baristas put the orders in a cup-holder attached to the drone. Equipped with motion detectors and stabilizers, the drone maneuvers itself throughout the building and delivers the coffee by landing in a specially designed pillar located in the room. A demo of this process can be seen in the Coffee Copter promo movie, which is available on their website. At that time, the Coffee Copter was still in its developmental stage with the team mainly concerned with the drone’s limitations as a mode of delivery. This included a lack of energy-efficiency and accuracy. There has not been much news released about the project after 2014. Last September, British coffee company Costa performed a trial with their own coffee copter in Dubai. Costa’s ride thru location at Kite Beach in Jumeirah allowed beach-goers to call-in their orders. Within 15 minutes, their drinks were delivered to them on the beach via a specially designed drone. This trial was initiated by Costa’s United Arab Emirates customers, 82% of whom informed the company that they would be interested in using a drone delivery service for their food and drinks. However, it is still uncertain if and when Costa’s coffee copter will come to fruition. Logistics such as regulation and commercial viability are still being considered. Most recently, in August of 2018, it was revealed that IBM, which gained its notoriety through computer manufacturing, had thrown their hat into the ring and patented their plans for a UAV that not only delivers coffee but also, detects when a person wants coffee. The patent is dated August 7th, 2018 and states that it is for the drone delivery of coffee based on the cognitive state of an individual. The abstract further explains that the UAV would have sensors that scan people “for an individual who has gestured that they would like the drink, or for whom an electronic analysis of sensor data indicates to be in a predetermined cognitive state.” The patent depicts different possible designs for said drone, such as a drone that dispenses coffee directly into a mug and delivering drinks sealed in a bag. For now, it is still unclear when coffee delivery drones will be present in the food delivery market. 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

Renewable energy is a hot topic in society today, and businesses in every sector have promoted green products. More businesses are creating products with recycled materials or using less plastic, and tech giants are investing in green technology and energy. Drone technology is not exempt from this. A common set-back for drone pilots is energy efficiency. For any UAV pilot, a solar-powered drone would be a game-changer. With solar panels, a drone could of course harness energy from the sun to fly, but also store excess energy to use when the sun isn't available. The longest estimated flight time for a drone is the DJI Mavic 2's 31 minutes, which is significantly longer than other high-end models which are starting to reach at least 20 minutes. However, there may come a time when pilots can fly their drones all day. How much could someone accomplish if you could fly your drone for the whole day? Big name companies have been trying to develop a drone that could fly using solar power. Facebook's attempt was Project Aquila, which not only set out to create a solar-powered drone, but also give internet access to remote areas. Their goal was to create a fleet of solar-powered drones that would be able to fly over these areas, transmitting internet accessibility. While the team had experienced some success, Facebook announced that they would be closing their project's facility and abandoning the project altogether. In 2013, Titan Aerospace unveiled the Solara 50. Solara 50 was the "world's first solar powered unmanned aircraft that can function as an atmospheric satellite." It carries 3,000 solar cells , and inside it's wing are lithium ion battery banks which store excess energy. It was actually more cost-efficient to maintain than conventional satellites. In 2014, Google acquired Titan Aerospace and planned on furthering the project, dubbing in Project Skybender. However, similar to Facebook, Google abandoned the project in 2017. That brings us to 2018, when a university's engineering department successfully tested their prototype for a solar-powered quadcopter. The National University of Singapore Engineering flew Asia's first solar-powered quadcopter this August without reliance on batteries. Reportedly, their test flights show that the drone is capable of flying as high as 10 metres in the air. The NUS press states that this is an exceptional feat, especially because of the physics surrounding the amount of energy it requires for an aircraft to takeoff with rotary wings. Up until this point, solar-powered UAV's have been fixed wind crafts because they are more efficient in generating lift. Since the technology is still in its early stages, no one knows when a fully solar-powered UAV may take flight into the marketplace. Regardless, the success of this project and the interest of top tech companies is reason enough to be hopeful for more energy efficient drones and the possibility of full days of flight. 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

Tell us about yourself! What made you move from Sweden to the Maldives? I’m Camilla, from Stockholm, Sweden. I have a background in communication and events. A couple of years ago I started traveling the world and I realized pretty quick that I wasn’t made for the regular 8-5 work day. I started looking for a job that I could do from anywhere in the world. Photography has always been a big part of my life, from early years inspired by my father who was a photographer. So, it was obvious to me that my new plan had to include photography in some way and that I had to do something out of my passion for it. I came to the Maldives in the beginning of January this year and it felt like coming home. I loved everything about it - the people who live there, the ocean and all the wildlife in it and of course the paradise beauty of it. I decided from that moment that I had to stay. What made you want to start flying a drone? I have always loved being in the sky and fly, and I am so mesmerized by aerial views. After seeing the first drone pictures popping up on Instagram a couple of years ago I just knew that someday I would have to get a drone. And in January it happened. When I bought the drone, I was terrified to fly it, but it was terror mingled with delight. I fell in love with the views and the perspectives the drone gave me. Back then I didn’t ever imagine that I a couple of months later would do everything in my power to make it something to live off. Tell us about some of the unique things you capture in the Maldives, landscape? Wildlife? What is that experience like? In the beginning I was shooting those typical pics of the Maldives, 50 shades of turquoise ocean, white beach, swaying green palm trees and the lovely paradisy color palette that comes out of those combinations. But then, I had my first animal drone experience with a couple of eagle rays. It was like we were creating a symphony together and it felt like they were dancing for me. After that experience I’m always out looking for the wildlife. A dream would be to fly my drone over blue whales or in Africa to capture the predators of the savanna. Do you have any tips for where to fly safely and legally in the region? Maldives is super liberal when it comes to drone flying. The only thing to have in mind is to keep a distance from the airports and have the common sense of respect to your fellow humans. And also, the ocean, if you are a beginner, don’t fly over the ocean (and definitely not from a boat)… get confident first, get to know your drone and don’t take any unnecessary risks. I know so many people who have lost their drones to the ocean. Have you encountered many other women who fly drones? Never - except the ones I have discovered through Women Who Drone. But I would really like to! Drones are bringing people together in such an amazing way, I’ve met so many new friends because of my drone and the excitement we share about flying them! Have you had any experiences that have been tough as a female drone pilot? Not a single one! Maybe only the fact that I wasn’t as familiar with the joystick like most men are haha. But seriously, everyone I meet in the drone community are so helpful and supporting. They are very cool with female drone pilots. How do you see drones playing a role in your life moving forward? Drones lit my inner fire. There is nothing more fulfilling in my life. I’m still a beginner and I take every opportunity I can to practice, but eventually I hope I can make a living out of my passion for drone photography and videography! My dream is to capture important stories to share with the world and to create promotional videos all over the world! I'm Camilla Dellión, born and raised in Sweden and escaping my country since a couple of years back. I travel and fall in love with new places and people - and objects of my cameras of course! Photography and videography is my passion and I do not think there is anything more fulfilling in my world! www.camilladellion.com

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? I started getting into drones roughly 3 years ago when I was watching an aerial video on YouTube. I was super intrigued and blown away by this unique fresh perspective a drone can truly capture from above that it inspired me to get involved and integrate something similar into my work. Three years ago, I started out with a Bebop Parrot drone which I had for a couple of months and then immediately upgraded to a DJI Phantom 4 when it first came out. Ever since then, I’ve been super passionate about aerial photography and videography, I bring my drone pretty much everywhere with me wherever I go. I am also a huge travel advocate who loves creating unique content and getting people to really experience the beauty of a place vicariously through my travel videos. My work mainly specialists in landscape, travel and aerial photography and has been featured from reputable brands including DJI, From Where I Drone, Moodygrams, Polar Pro and Airvuz on their social media accounts and websites. My passion for aerial photography has led me to establish a side business selling my aerial prints, Light-room presets as well as client video work alongside my online business that I run full time. Tell us about your company/work/organization and your position. I run a lifestyle based business with three other entrepreneurs where we provide like-minded individuals the necessary tools, training and resources to help one gain the skills of digital marketing which will enable them to either start an online business or grow an existing one. Having the flexibility that an online business gives us, has allowed my team and I to travel and experience many parts of the world while simultaneously pursuing what I love which is film and photography. What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favorite thing about it? I started out flying a Bebop Parrot drone for a couple of months before I transitioned to a DJI Phantom 4. To this day, I fly a Phantom 4 Pro and absolutely love it! The quality of footage you're able to achieve with this drone is incredible and is one of my favorite things about this drone. I am always able to produce extremely sharp, crisp 4K footage. The Phantom 4 Pro is also great to withstand extremely windy conditions. It's very accurate in its GPS location and elevation hover abilities making it much easier to tackle harsh weather conditions! Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? One valuable lesson I learnt after flying drones for some time is to never be overly ambitious early in the hobby, and pushing the limits too far. I've seen cases of people losing their drones because of pushing the battery life to its limit, trying to fly it in extremely harsh weather conditions, flying it too high or too low to give a few examples. Start slow, get more comfortable in flying and be fully aware of the Do’s and Don’ts. That way, you are operating a drone safely without causing any potential harm to your surrounding and you have a higher probability of getting your drone back safely in one piece! Another lesson is to invest in ND Filters! I can’t tell you how much of a game changer filters are in the drone industry especially when filming in bright sunny conditions. Filters allow you to reduce the amount of light that reaches your camera’s sensor so your footage doesn’t come out too over exposed or shaky/jittery. This will result in you achieving the highest maximum quality footage possible. Whether its from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. One of my all time memorable piloting experience in a creative sense would be when I was flying my drone in Iceland. I was blown away by the country in itself, it has some of the most unique, abstract and picturesque landscapes I have ever seen. Not only was I able to capture incredible waterfalls, glaciers and mountain tops but some locations look so abstract in a bird’s eye view, it truly felt like I was on another planet. It took my droning experience to a whole new dynamic level that some of my greatest aerial shots were taken from there and ones that still render me speechless to this day. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? Coming from a content creator point of view, if photography and film are either a hobby of yours, a passion of yours or something that has recently sparked an interest in you, drones are definitely a great addition to add into the mix as it truly takes your footage to whole new level and there really is no better time to invest in it than now. Drone technology is not only becoming so much more accessible, more affordable, and easier-to-use than ever before, but the type of content you deliver from a drone is an incredibly impressive way to grab your audience's attention from a fresh, dynamic perspective that no other type of camera can achieve. It has personally changed the game for me in a creative sense and I feel it is definitely worth looking into if you're someone like me who wants to explore their creative side further. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Seeing as it's been a male dominated industry for quite some time , it's such an incredible feeling to see more women, who are driven and passionate, getting into this industry and bringing in a fresh and dynamic perspective to it. I truly get inspired when I see women achieve big things in this space as we are shaping the future of the drone industry to cater to everyone and breaking away from this notion of conforming to certain stereotypes and people not 'looking the part' when flying a drone. It's important that we see more women follow their passions using drones to prove this point and to empower more women to go after their dreams without ever second guessing themselves or feeling discouraged in any way. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? You can learn more about my story on how I got into drones by watching my Airvuz video. Merr is a well-known female pilot and videographer in the drone industry. As the founder of Merr Watson Visuals, she travels the world, capturing landscapes, sights, and sounds of beautiful areas of our planet. With an ambition to help other female drone pilots come out of their shell and into their own, she is truly an inspiration in the droning realm. #dronegirl #femaledronepilot #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #interview #WOMENWHODRONE #WOMENANDDRONES #spotlightinterview

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? I watched a film made by a local videographer early 2017, he used drone footage to capture a different view of my home town, I knew straight away I wanted one! From there my passion and creativity for film making took off. Tell us about your company/work/organization and your position. I started New Zealand Adventures on Facebook as a page to display fun travel type videos I was creating from my road trips with friends and my partner. I wasn't quite ready to do much with the page, but knew if I started it well before I wanted to really pursue this passion I could gain at least a small following for when I was ready. It took off instantly and gained 18,000 followers in just over a year. What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favorite thing about it? DJI Mavic Pro. Its reliability, stability, distance range, video and photo quality, ease of flying and very much its portability. Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? Don't fly backwards unless you can physically see whats behind the drone! Things like trees can take you down, fast haha! Treat every flight as its the most important, be cautious and safe at all times. Whether its from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. Oh gosh, there's been so many! We were at one of my favorite spots called Blue Springs where we ran into a man who we thought was homeless. We stopped and chatted and it turns out he was walking the country by foot to raise awareness about water purity. Long story short, I offered to get some drone shots for him which ended up in me making a beautiful film of his journey which was aired in a cinema and in a museum exhibition. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? Imagine being able to fly and where it would take you? The aerial views of oceans hitting rocks, surfers catching the big waves, mountain peaks, the top of waterfalls or even just being able to take fun photos/videos on you and your mates! What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? The creativeness we can bring. I couldn't believe how many males were into drones and videography. It's exciting to see more females being able to bring their flare to the industry. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? Dream, create, celebrate.. You can do anything you put your mind to.. Ciska is a female drone pilot, born and bred in New Zealand. New Zealand born & breed. She Solo traveled the world for 1.5 years and is a woman of many hats, owning a vehicle body repair shop for 7 years. She now travels New Zealand, getting paid too make travel drone videos for New Zealand Adventures. #femaledronepilot #dronegirl #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #WOMENANDDRONES #interview #spotlightinterview #WOMENWHODRONE

Acrobats, air shows, fireworks and now drones! Performances high in the sky have been spectacles for generations, and now the latest iteration in aerial entertainment is here: drone light shows. While planes can only fly outdoors, and fireworks are loud fire hazards, drones are versatile, reusable, and just as entertaining. Take earlier this year for example. The 2018 winter Olympics featured many performances, but the highlight of the opening ceremony was the masterfully synchronized light show performed by a record-breaking 1,218 drones (beginning at 1:58:18). As they flew over 100 skiers, the drones assembled to take the shape of a snowboarder flying along the slopes. The drones concluded the ceremony by reassembling into the Olympic rings, wowing even the commentators. Clearly, this won’t be the first time that these drones amaze audiences. Developed by Intel, the drones used in the opening ceremony have performed at many other major events. Their website states, “From Germany to South Korea, our drone light shows are shining bright across the world.” This year, Intel’s drones have also performed light shows at the Bellagio Hotel and Coachella. The Intel® Shooting Star™ drones performed the largest drone light show ever to celebrate Intel’s 50th anniversary, creating a display of 2,018 drones and breaking their own record. Their most recent performance was to celebrate Independence Day with military families. While Intel is by far the largest company doing work like this, there are other organizations in the drone light show business. To start, there's That Drone Show, which has hosted events for a laundry list of well-known clients, including Disney, Kia, and Fox Studios. Firefly Drone Shows, an FAA approved company, uses “Cutting-Edge Drone Swarm Technology” to create performances for corporate and private events. Performances can be held inside or outside, and they also offer to record the performance either from the ground or from a drone. Ultimately, the advent of drone light shows is a reflection of our society's technological progress. A few years ago, Intel's performance would not have been possible. Now, light shows are traversing the world. Regardless, it is unlikely that drones will replace other forms of aerial entertainment. However, they are providing a viable alternative to traditional shows and something new for us all to enjoy. 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 #dronelightshow #Droneskyshow

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? I am a 23 year old female drone pilot from the city of Perth in Western Australia. I have had a passion for filmography and photography ever since I could remember. So it was only fitting that I did my Undergraduate Degree at university in Film and Sound Production. After finishing my degree I decided to then do a Masters in Marketing, which I am currently completing. When I first heard of drones becoming the new way for creating content, I instantly was intrigued and had to get my hands on one to add to my camera bag. At the end of 2016 I purchased my first drone, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional, which I still use to this day. I have always been someone who has been interested in the latest technology and wanting to learn how to use it. Drone photography and filmography has demonstrated a whole new way to capture an image from the different perspective of a birds eye view, which has made travelling even more interesting. Don't get me wrong, flying a drone is challenging and it takes a lot of practice to get it right. I'm still not a pro at all and I am always learning new things everyday. My photography on the drone to begin with was pretty shocking. A lot of over exposed shots and just super bad angles. I can say now that I am way more confident when shooting with my drone. Tell us about your company/work/organization and your position. I am currently a student at Curtin University studying a Masters in Marketing, who works part-time as a sales assistant at Kathmandu, and on the sidelines I am also doing my blogs on my website and starting to sell my drone photography prints. What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favorite thing about it? I currently fly one of the now older models of DJI drones, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional. Don't be fooled by this older model, it is awesome! The camera quality is insanely good and captures the most clear content for both my photos and videos. It would be way cheaper in price now then when I first bought it and it would probably be cheaper than some of the newer models too. Totally worth checking it out! Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? With any sort of content that you create, you want to add your own flavor to it. Drone content creation is on the rise and it can be tricky to find your own style. What I do love about seeing drone content on social media, is that even if the shot was taken in the same place (e.g. Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia) no one really has the same shot as you. In saying that, you don't want to have the same shot of Cottesloe Beach and not put your own style to it, which can be done in the post-production stage of editing the image. Always support other female dronists out there! I would love to see more women excelling in using drones and the only way to do that is to support one another. Giving a follow, a like, or posting a positive comment to each others social media pages, will encourage more women to not be scared to fly a drone. Drones are so much fun to fly! Whether its from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. One of my most memorable drone flights was my first time shooting surfers. I had no expectations of what I was going to shoot that day. So, I went to the beach super early in the morning and was so excited when I saw two surfers out in the water. I took my drone up as a few specks of light started to hit the water. It was so magical and I reckon those shots I took that day are some of my best ones that I have ever taken. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? For anyone out there who is scared at the thought of flying a drone, don't be! I've been in so many scary situations with my drone where I thought I had either almost lost it, or broken it. However, it was those situations which have made me become more confident when flying my drone. I've learnt so many lessons on what to do right and what not to do now, that it was important for me to go through those hiccups. So don't be scared ladies, you can do it! Just practice, practice, practice! What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Today, a lot of drone imagery is showcased on Instagram, which I personally think is one of the best social media tools out there to display your work. I follow heaps of different drone accounts, but what I had noticed was the lacking in female drone work being displayed on the "big" drone accounts. I also didn't know where to look to actually find female drone accounts who display their work on Instagram. When I came across Women Who Drone I can't express enough how excited and happy I was! Finally, a page where I don't feel like drone photography is just a male dominated industry. Women Who Drone is able to display so many amazing drone work from so many talented women and I can finally be able to find amazing female drone pilots out there on Instagram. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I am super excited to share that I have just started up my very on store called the 'Flying High Store', which I am selling my drone photography prints through! You can check it out here! Leticia (Letti) is a drone enthusiast, photographer and filmmaker from the city of Perth in Western Australia. She has lived half of her life growing up in South-East Asia and has traveled to many places around the world. She is currently studying a Masters in Marketing and recently set-up an online store through her website to sell her drone prints. #dronegirl #femaledronepilot #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #WOMENWHODRONE #interview #spotlightinterview

“We are in an AI arms race, and it’s happening in industry, in the Big Five” — Drew Cukor, Chief of the Algorithmic Warfare Cross Function Team What Is Project Maven? Stamped April 26 2017, a memorandum released by the Deputy Security of Defense states that the Department of Defense “needs to do much more, and move much faster … to take advantage of recent and future advances in [artificial intelligence, big data, and deep learning].” The goal of this memorandum is to resolve this need by establishing a team for this express purpose. Dubbed Project Maven, the team was established by former Deputy Security of Defense Robert Work. Officially, it is named the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team, and the AWCFT’s goal is to make advancements in the DoD’s Artificial Intelligence. These innovations in A.I. would contribute to analyzing the data that the Department of Defense has collected in their search for ISIS. Much of this collected information would be considered Big data, or large data sets, and are too time consuming to process with the technology currently in place. Where Do the Drones Come In? Later in the memorandum, Work states that, “The AWCFT's first task is to field technology to augment or automate Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) for tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and Midaltitude Full-Motion Video (FMV) in support of the Defeat-ISIS Campaign.” One of the main focuses of this project is Computer Vision which, like deep learning, is also an aspect of A.I. It involves programming “methods for acquiring, processing, analyzing and understanding digital images, and extraction of high-dimensional data from the real world in order to produce numerical or symbolic information, e.g., in the forms of decisions.” Essentially, this means that the video recorded by military drones would be processed through this new A.I. in search of objects of interest. What About Google? According to defense.gov, Project Maven had intentions of partnering with “industry, academia and national laboratories to develop and deploy artificial intelligence-based algorithms against some of DoD’s toughest challenges.” Google signed a contract with the Pentagon to be brought on as one of the developers of this advanced A.I. However, this decision was criticized, and much of the backlash was internal. Their employees were not comfortable with the idea of developing innovative technology that could be used for the weaponization of drones. Thus, they began to protest. They released a petition with well over 3,000 signatures. Because of this backlash and the negative press it has cultivated, Google announced earlier this year that they would not renew their contract. The news surrounding this series of events has brought to light conversations we will soon be having about the ethical incorporation of A.I. into defense. In the past, our country has had similar conversations surrounding ethics and the militarization of technology. As the world becomes more globalized and competitive, we may be having this conversation more often. 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 #dronedefense #ProjectMaven

On their homepage, She Flies states that Australia is lacking in terms of its retention rate for female talent in STEM fields. According to their website, only 27% of Australian STEM jobs are filled by women. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many women around the world. Catalysyt.org reports that as of 2018 women are more likely to leave STEM careers than enter them. She Flies has made it their mission to address the lack of women in STEM through their drone training programs. They want to use drone education as the platform that launches girls into careers in STEM and keeps them there. The organization was co-founded by Dr. Karen Joyce and Dr. Catherine Ball, both of whom have experience using drones for practical applications. Dr. Joyce has years of teaching and coaching experience, and a desire to make learning fun and interactive. Dr. Ball is passionate about intersecting technology with finding solutions for humanitarian and environmental issues. To accomplish their goals, She Flies works with schools and communities around the country. Dr. Joyce leads in creating the program content, which is reviewed by other qualified teachers. With She Flies linked to the Australian curriculum, schools that participate in the She Flies program can teach girls valuable technical skills and give them first-hand technical experience. In their workshops, students can learn to program drones, the roles and responsibilities of flying in 'real life' situations and test their flying skills. Speaking of teachers, She Flies also designs training programs for educators. They provide teachers with professional experience workshops and ready-made lesson plans and resources in line with the Australian curriculum to alleviate some of the hard work that comes with introducing new technology into the classroom. It doesn’t stop there. She Flies makes what they do available to communities and businesses, furthering the proliferation of digital literacy. They have training designed for government organizations, town planners, pastoralists, and more. Programs are tailored to suit whichever group they are engaging, from library programs to corporate events. Moreover, each program is filled with diverse activities made to keep learning fun. Even though She Flies is dedicated to building girls’ confidence in technology, the organization does not limit its program to only teach girls. The program is gender neutral and boys can participate as well. As of now, She Flies operates only within Australia, but organizations like this could have an impact on gender equality worldwide. If you want to learn more about the presence of women in Australian STEM careers, check out these resources: Women in STEM: A Story of Attrition Women in STEM in Australia 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 #STEM #SheFlies #Dronetraining

Can you get the FPV Experience through Gaming? Video games are dominating the media with advanced graphics, cinematic visuals, A list voice actors, and innovative gameplay. The onset of immersive VR experiences has substantially revolutionized how we interact with our entertainment. Nowadays, people experience many common activities through gaming. There are simulation games for various occupations, relationships, and life in general. Steam, an online distribution platform for games, is home to many products like this, and among their listings are several such simulators for drone piloting. Even The Drone Racing League has developed their own simulator available on the platform. Their homepage describes it as “the premier FPV racing game and simulator” although on steam, the simulator has received mixed reviews. Issues with bugs and accuracy have been the most common complaints. For troubled players, the DRL Simulator has a FAQ page and a Steam community forum, so player’s can find solutions and discussions by navigating through those pages. Independent game developers are also seeking to replicate FPV piloting, giving gamers the racing experience at home. For example, Liftoff (released November 2015) is one of several Virtual Reality FPVs available on Steam. Hundreds of reviews rate the game very positively, and commenters applaud the game for being accurate to real life quadcopter piloting experience. Another game with positive reviews is Drone Hero. Released last summer, reviewers describe Drone Hero as having great controls and entertaining VR gameplay. While still in their early stages, VR headsets are primed to be the next step in gaming. The obvious similarities between VR and FPV make FPV racing a logical business move for any game developer. Especially, considering how deprived the market is for a variety of drone based games. 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 #fpvracing #dronegames