Company: Bees360 Inc Location: Houston, TX, USA Tell us about yourself. Give our readers a personal introduction to you and what you do. I was born and raised in Marietta, GA. I am acutely aware of my spirituality, have an infinite love for horses, and am absolutely infatuated with technology and photography! What inspired you to begin flying drones? If you fly commercially, what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I was inspired by my mentor and spiritual advisor, Pat, who told me, "The sky's the limit. Buy a drone." My love for tech and photography finally found a place to come together and form this awesome marriage. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you transition? Before my life with drones, I was a horse jockey racing trainer. I sustained an injury that forced me out of that field and was seeking another way to better my life. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I currently fly my Mavic 2 Pro and absolutely love my smart controller and blue propellers! What is your favorite feature on your drone, and why? My favorite feature is Point of Interest/Follow Me mode because it can make really fun videos. What drone images are you most proud of and why? The cabin photograph is very near and dear to my heart because the cabin belongs to my mentor Pat. I was elated and honored to be able to give back to him since he inspired me to get a drone in the first place. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? The most valuable lesson I have learned is, "The possibilities with drones are only limited by your imagination. The sky is literally the limit." Whether from a creative, commercial, or humanitarian perspective, tell us about the most memorable drone flight you've piloted thus far. I would say that my most memorable drone flight probably would be piloting my first flight for Bees360 and the doors It has opened for me within the company. It took me almost an hour to do a 15-minute job, but I took my time to ensure the deliverable was perfect, and it paid off. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry and drone community? I am most excited about traveling the world and tapping into my inner strength and limitless imagination. Also, I am excited about other women having the opportunity to travel the world, be their own boss., and envoke Girl Power! Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? I advise pilots to always maintain a line of sight. You'd be surprised how quickly you can crash. I wouldn't know… just saying. I also advise pilots to slow down. Take your time to observe your surroundings. This will show through with quality images and videos as well. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? You can get in touch with me via email at Erin.Wilkinson@bees360.com. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? My colleague Dena Bector describes me as a Boss, but one of those bosses who is supportive, skillful, resilient, dependable, and always comes through! About Erin Wilkinson Erin started with Bees360, Inc in October 2020 as a 1099 drone pilot. Today, Erin works as the right-hand woman of Dena Bector, Senior Director of Operations of Bees360, wearing the title of Senior Operations Manager. Erin not only supports other Operation Managers but also provides real-time support to Bees360 pilots out in the field. Erin is also a part-time drone photographer specializing in the landscape for agriculture and farming. Email: Erin.Wilkinson@bees360.com

In recent years, drones have become an incredibly useful tool for fire departments. Ehang has announced a huge heavy-lift drone for firefighting that can shoot water at fires, and researchers have begun exploring the use of drone swarms to drop small amounts of fire retardant on a fire, mimicking a raincloud. But these solutions made to fight fires directly are still largely unproven and not commonly in use by firefighters. Today, the primary way that firefighters use drones is through data collection. By allowing them to collect visual and thermal data remotely from the air, drones are helping keep firefighters safe while enabling them to make decisions quickly in life-or-death scenarios. In general, firefighters use two types of drones: indoor drones and outdoor drones. In the sections below, we'll take a close look at each type and then provide concrete use cases from the field. How Indoor Drones Are Used In Firefighting Indoor drones are designed to be flown inside a structure using technology that keeps them from damaging objects and people around them. A drone like Flyability's Elios 2 is protected by a cage, making it collision-tolerant in tight spaces. The Elios 2 also comes equipped with a high-definition camera to take sharp images and videos and a thermal camera that can capture thermal data even in smoke. When at the scene of an active fire, firefighters use indoor drones to determine: If anyone is inside the structure The location of the fire The extent of the fire The condition of the building for safe entry For example, the Marine Firefighters of Marseille tested sending the Elios 2 ahead of firefighters into a ship fire. Their goal was to determine if there were any people in danger on the ship and to assess the magnitude of the fire before boarding the ship. Using the drone, the Marine Firefighters of Marseille were able to quickly assess the following: Where people were located Where the fire came from The extent of damage to the vessel If it was possible to save the vessel Ships pose a uniquely dangerous situation for marine firefighters. It's significantly more dangerous for firefighters to board a ship without visual data provided by a tool like a drone because ships have many confined spaces where people, including firefighters, can get trapped. More generally, firefighters commonly use indoor drones to enter burned-out buildings or sites where an explosion has happened, allowing firefighting personnel to assess the damage inside without putting themselves in harm's way. In inspection scenarios, work in confined spaces requires inspectors to use ropes or scaffolding to get access to everything they need to see to complete their work, presenting yet another instance where drones can help keep people out of harms' way. How Outdoor Drones Are Used in Firefighting Outdoor drones like DJI's Matrice 300 are often much bigger and have multirotors that can help them cover a lot of ground quickly. Firefighters use outdoor drones to survey the scene of a fire, locate people stuck inside the top floors of a burning structure, including skyscrapers, and inform firefighters about how a fire is unfolding. Dones can also quickly identify a structure's safest entry and exit points. The thermal data collected by an outdoor drone can quickly identify: Where people might be stuck Where the fire is hottest Where firefighters can safely enter and exit the structure to put out the fire and for rescue missions Where there are lingering hot spots that might not be visible to the naked eye Outdoor drones are also an extremely useful tool when dealing with wildfires. They can help firefighters determine how big the fire is and how to keep it from spreading rapidly, information that is otherwise difficult, time-consuming, and potentially dangerous to collect. How Drones Are Used in Fire Investigations Drones are also used to collect vital information after a fire has been contained. In post-fire investigations, an arson investigator will examine video footage taken at the scene of the fire to determine the cause of the fire and how it moved while active. Last year, the Rotterdam Fire Brigade used the Elios 2 to inspect the interior of a building that had been ablaze. They set out to determine if the fire was put out, inspect the building for damage and structural integrity, and determine whether it was safe to enter for further investigation. Thermal data revealed that the fire was still burning, informing firefighters how to secure the area before safely entering the building to conduct a thorough investigation. In addition to visual and thermal data, firefighters often create 3D models using photogrammetry or LiDAR-equipped drones, as well as orthomosaic maps of a fire scene so that they can study it in detail later. These investigations are crucial for firefighters to understand how a fire started and how it moved across land or through structures. The information gleaned by drones from each incident can help create more robust pre-fire procedures and post-fire investigations. How Drone Data Can Be Used to Fight Future Fires Firefighters are also using drones to create orthomosaic maps of key buildings in their area, like hospitals and schools. These maps provide a detailed record of each structure, which they can use to identify all entry and exit points in case of a future fire or help law enforcement quickly identify evacuation routes in the event of an active shooter. If there is a fire at that location, the firefighters can refer to the orthomosaic maps, getting a clearer idea of the situation they're facing. Post-fire drone footage can also be used to survey and document damages to the structure or area, creating historical archives. And Keep in Mind — Firefighters Don't Just Fight Fires Natural disasters—like hurricanes, earthquakes, and mudslides—require reinforcements from all public safety departments to assess the overall scope of destruction. Firefighters can use drones to quickly survey large areas for infrastructure issues and search and rescue efforts. This bird's eye view helps firefighters triage rescue missions and get the proper medical support. Firefighters and EMTs also use drones to deliver emergency supplies, like Automated External Defibrillators (or AEDs), first aid kits, and medicine in devastated areas.

Learn more about WWD's Senior Editor & Writer! What Is Your Name and Your Job at WWD? My name is Tyesha Ferron, and I am the senior writer and editor at Women Who Drone. Tell Us a Little Bit about Yourself. I’ve always enjoyed discovering new approaches to creativity, even as a child. Language, art, and new technologies are some of the things I’m most passionate about, and I regularly look into these topics in my free time. Currently, I’m working as a full-time content writer, but my background is in Linguistics and studying languages. I studied Linguistics intending to work in the language learning field but quickly found myself becoming more interested in pursuing writing. After years of freelancing on the side, I eventually decided to make writing my full-time job. Tell Us about Your WWD Story! I became a part of the Women Who Drone team after graduating with my bachelor’s in 2018. I discovered the opportunity on LinkedIn and started as an Editorial Intern. At the time, I had very little experience with writing professionally, the drone industry, and the drone community, but I was excited about the opportunity to challenge myself. Over time, as I became more involved with the team, I started learning more about how far drones have come and all of the exciting things people are doing with them. Since joining WWD, I’ve learned so much about drones, legislation, the drone industry, and the women in the drone community. The community has grown so much since I first became aware of it. It’s been great getting to know the drone community, especially the women. I’ve met some amazing women and seen them do amazing things. Over the years, I’ve become involved in the drone community in ways I never anticipated. It’s been incredible to see all the different ways women have changed their lives and elevated themselves using drones in science, engineering, photography, videography, business, and entrepreneurship. What Are Your Best Tricks and Tips for Someone Who Wants to Go Down the Same Career Path as You? Embracing an unconventional career path is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned. When we’re young, we’re often taught to expect things to be more straightforward, going from college directly into the career we prepared for. However, that’s not always going to be the case, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re interested in becoming a writer, my best advice is to always look for opportunities to get your work out there, learn new things and grow. Jumping into a subject you’re unfamiliar with can be intimidating, but having the willingness to learn is a valuable skill. Also, take on opportunities or create your own opportunities to build up your portfolio. Along the way, try to get involved in a community you enjoy. Creating genuine connections makes work so much more fulfilling. Connect with the Writer Tyesha Ferron is a writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital content, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron

It has been announced! DJI will release its X7 camera comprised of 24 megapixels, super 35mm and it will come with three interchangeable lenses. The question is- will this impact or even kill heavy lift drone orders? For those of you not familiar with heavy lift drone usage. Well, imagine you can get those amazing aerial shots with a DSLR, Arri Cinema camera, or any other cinema-style camera without worrying about the weight in the sky. Heavy Lift drones take care of this. From a business perspective, it is cheaper because you don't have to buy a gimble since the gimble is already integrated into the camera. However, from a production perspective, those loyal to their specified camera may prefer to continue with heavy lifting even if the cost is significantly more. Now that we know the new A7 exists, will there be a decline in heavy lift drone usage? What do you think? This article will be updated as we continue to learn more about the release of the X7.

Company: HF Visuals Location: Istanbul, Turkey Tell us about yourself. I'm a French visual journalist, consultant, and drone pilot. I'm based in Istanbul, Turkey, and I travel all over the region. I work as a cameraperson, editor, producer. I am also a visual consultant for NGOs and PR companies, helping them produce new visual campaigns and videos. And I'm a pilot! What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I started flying in 2017 when I was a journalist based in Beijing, China. I quickly realized a drone is a great addition to visual storytelling, as it gives new opportunities and new angles. When I moved to Turkey I kept flying and decided to get my professional license to fly drones up to 25 kg when I started doing wind turbine inspections at the beginning of 2020. It is an exciting and promising new field for me, I have learned a lot and expanded my skills in areas I had no idea about, and it allows me to travel even more. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I have always been a video and visual journalist. I just added drones as a new tool to tell my stories. However, I am now very interested in using my drone to inspect renewable energy installations, such as solar panels or wind turbine farms. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I fly the DJI Inspire 2 (with ProRes and Cinema DNG) and the Mavic Pro (first edition, which is still one of the best drones that ever came out). My favorite accessories are my extra batteries and my NG filters. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? The Apple ProRes and Cinema DNG feature on my Inspire 2 can produce really beautiful and professional footage, when you're working on high-end projects. What drone images are you most proud of and why? I got to film a Mongolian traveler crossing Kazakhstan with a caravan of camels for a BBC story in 2019. A great way to show her long and arduous journey was obviously from a bird's-eye view. Flying in the Kazakh steppes above this brave woman and her camels on perfect spring weather gave me great images and a lifetime of memories. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? I think that the most "technical" drone jobs (inspection of construction sites, agricultural fields, renewable energy installations, etc.) should not necessarily be left to men only. We are definitely bringing something to the table, we just need to trust ourselves a bit more. 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 was made in North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I was on an assignment with the NGO World Vision and I flew above a school in the countryside. The children were fascinated by the drone as they had never seen one before, and they all gathered around me. They were very curious but also did not know what to make of this flying object. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? You can start flying a small drone at first and then upgrade, there's so much to choose from. And drones have so much potential for the future and for so many industries! What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I want to find other kindred spirits, and other women in my region, to learn from and exchange tips and advice. We need to help each other. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? Just make sure you set the right maximum flight altitude and the appropriate return-to-home altitude before every flight. Basic, but it can avoid your drone crashing into trees or wind turbines for example while returning home. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? I'm available on Instagram (@helene_fr). And my website is: helenefranchineau.com Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? Confession: I crashed my drone on my very first flight, on the Great Wall of China near Beijing :) Women Who Drone Youtube Hélène Franchineau is a visual journalist, consultant, and professional drone pilot based in Istanbul, Turkey. She films and produces news videos, documentaries, as well as visual campaigns for NGOs and other international organizations. She is a certified drone pilot who produces visual content and does inspection work for renewable energy companies. #PilotSpotlight #dronephotography #femaledronepilot #bussinesswomen #DJIMavicPro #IstanbulDronePilot #dronevideos #femaleempowerment

Tell us about yourself. I am just an everyday girl who had an idea and decided to try it. I couldn't be any happier with how it all turned out, but it was a lot of hard work - always pay back. Now, I can easily say that I am a drone pilot, drone racing pilot, public speaker, social media influencer and a public personality in a drone world. I am happy to be able to make a difference. What inspired you to begin flying drones? I started flying drones back in 2014 at the end of the year. I was also introduced to FPV (First Person View), and I fell completely in love. A friend of mine showed me it just once and I felt like a bird... flying in the sky but staying on the ground. Up until today, it is the most amazing feeling to just put the goggles on and cut off myself from the world around. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I was (and still am) a programmer and web developer. What drone (s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I am flying a DJI Mavic Air, and a couple of self-made racing drones. My favorite accessory is my pair of goggles, FatShark HDO. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? The possibility of going 100kmh and doing acrobatics. The things I can do with my drone are amazing. What drone images are you proud of and why? I am proud of every video I make. I am doing my best to make them better every time I upload. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? The world is created by 99% of amazing people and 1% of the trouble makers. Don't let this 1% ruin your day. People are amazing, helpful and nice in this industry. Also sharing knowledge is a key! Whether it's from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about the most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I think every flight of mine is memorable. I have met so many people, made so many friendships and seen so many amazing things from way other perspective. It's too hard to choose a favorite. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? What I am doing since 2014 - and I have seen working best - is just to show up on drone events and conferences, showing that girls DO IT. And do it good. Telling girls that "You can do it too" and showing them 30 guys aged 20/30 is not sending a message. The best thing we can do is just to be, have fun and share our love with the world. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Wider group of people always means more ideas. Also, I'm hoping that with the growing number of girls and women in drones we will see less of really weird comments and pictures that we are struggling with now. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? It doesn't matter what people tell You. If you are "too tall", "too short", "woman", "man" or whatever. Drones and FPV are for everyone regardless of age, gender, nationality and beliefs. And if someone tells you that you can't do something (doesn’t have to be connected with drones) tell them "I can, and I will. Watch me." What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Message me on my social media (maionhigh everywhere) or send me an email on lexie@maionhigh.com. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I am extremely happy to help and support anyone on my way, SO don't be afraid to leave me a message :) Women Who Drone Youtube My name is Lexie, and I am 26 years old. I started flying drones back when I was in university studying Landscape Architecture, but after some time, I moved towards IT and programming, which is my current job along with drones. I live in Germany with my husband, who I met on a drone event. Together, we are travelling all over the world with our drones, sharing the love and passion to it. I am also a content creator and owner of a YouTube channel, MaiOnHigh, and for 2 years I have been really actively promoting drones at conferences, events and during my travels. I am a German champion in drone racing (women category), and I was honored with a Rotor Riot Medallion award for extraordinary work for drones. #pilotspotlight #femaledronepilot #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #spotlightinterview #womenwhodroneambassador #womenwithwings #womenwhodrone #WOMENWHODRONE #WOMENANDDRONES

Company: Yasmin Tajik Photography Location: Fountain Hills, Arizona, US Tell us about yourself. I am a professional photographer and a drone pilot. I started my photography business over 10 years ago where I focused on running a retail studio photographing portraits, weddings, and events. About 5 years ago, I told my Mom I needed to do something different with my business, and that's when I started documentary photography. Through that avenue of my business, I focus on humanitarian and social causes in regard to women and girls. When not photographing a story, you can find me traveling the world, reading, playing the piano, scuba diving, and spending time with my family which includes my goldendoodle Zayn. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? As a photographer, I feel I was exposed to drones very early on to their release in the market, however mostly what I saw them being used for was a lot of guys shooting landscapes. At that time I didn't see a need for owning one until I went on a trip with some girlfriends to Iceland and 2 of them brought drones. That was my first exposure to drones up close, and that's when the wheels starting turning. I, then, dedicated an area of my business where I could utilize that tool in my storytelling. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I am a professional photographer, and although I was aware of drones I didn't feel they were anything I needed until I saw them first hand. Then I started to think of areas I could utilize the drone to tell stories in a way I hadn't before. So, I jumped in and bought my first drone and haven't looked back since. I've been lucky to get involved with the Women Who Drone community where I was able to represent them at a few conferences last year, as well as travel all over the world with my drone. My drone has opened up seeing the world in a new way, which also translated into telling stories from a new perspective. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I have a Mavic 2 Pro and a Tello. My Mavic is my go-to for anything fun and commercial. I love how easily it folds down for portability, which is key for me because of all the traveling I do. My Tello is used as a tool for demonstrations and for teaching kids about coding with drones. Some key accessories I have are ND filters for the Mavic and an iPad mini which gives me a bigger screen to view as I'm flying. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? I love the high quality of imagery I can produce, both photos (22-megapixel) and 4K videos, and that comes all packed in this small footprint that folds down for ease of travel. What drone images are you most proud of and why? I live in the desert and most of my footage is from that type of climate. But I am really drawn toward anything with water, particularly the ocean. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? Yes, absolutely! I feel that even though we are a smaller percentage of drone pilots out there, together we are a rising tide that is just as equally capable. Through hard work, networking and really going after jobs and opportunities, we can and are just as good as anyone else in the industry. I feel so so fortunate to have found WWD because it has become this wonderful community where we have one goal, which is to help each other and make this industry great. Whether it's from a creative, commercial, or humanitarian perspective, tell us about the most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. Wow, that's a tough one because each flight has its own purpose or goal. Early on in my drone career, it was mostly to gain experience and test out and master how to control my drone. By pushing my limits, I can test not only how to manipulate the drone, but also push out of my comfort zone and learn to be a better pilot. I had an incident last year where I was flying in windy conditions and almost didn't get my drone back, but was lucky enough another pilot was with me and helped out land it safely without any damage. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? I think initially when women and girls hear about drones they think of them as toys, or an extension of playing video games, but there is so much more. I find that if I can share about the vast industries that are employing drones and drone pilots, it opens their eyes to the possibilities of a career path, or of something new they can implement into their current career. For girls, it is very important to get hands-on training right away, as well as educating them about different uses, such as SAR, humanitarian, agriculture, inspections, etc. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I think it levels the playing field. Research has shown that when women are treated the same as men and paid the same as men in the workplace, companies become more profitable, have lower attrition rates, higher employee retention rates, and higher job satisfaction among employees. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it's like a rising tide that raises all ships. It benefits all of us in a positive way. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? I think the best is to get out there as often as possible to practice. When I was young, I had to practice the piano for an hour a day, and I feel it should be the same with the drone. Master the piloting of the drone first, and then you can learn about capturing impactful footage through photos and videos. When I first started, I spent a lot of time going out with a friend of mine who is a master drone pilot. A lot of the time I wouldn't even fly, I would be looking over his shoulder, watching, and learning. Then, eventually, I launched my drone and utilized what I learned from watching him, into my own footage. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? My website is www.yasmintajik.com, and my Instagram is @ytajik Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I would encourage anyone who is thinking about drones, to just give it a try. Once you get it in your hands, you may find it addicting and even better if you can find a way to utilize it in other aspects of your life to help others. Women Who Drone Youtube Yasmin Tajik is a portrait and documentary photographer, and FAA certified drone pilot who is based in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Her humanitarian and documentary work covers issues on social causes and civil rights, including local stories on refugee resettlement, asylum seekers, sex-trafficking, and international stories such as gender equality in Iceland and the rise of Islam in Cuba. She has a B.A. in Biology and an MBA and has been featured in media outlets such as Nat Geo Wild, Las Vegas Review Journal, and Huffington Post. #PilotSpotlight #dronephotography #femaledronepilot #bussinesswomen #DJIMavic2Pro #ArizoneDronePilot #dronevideos #DJITello #femaleempowerment

Over the last few years, drones have been widely adopted for inspections. The primary way that inspectors use drones is as an inspection tool for collecting video footage and photos that show the condition of the object being inspected. In inspection terminology, these videos and photos are generally referred to as visual data. Another type of data inspectors commonly collect by drone is thermal data, which they get by using a drone’s thermal camera. In general, drone inspections can be broken into two categories—home inspections and industrial inspections. On the home inspection side, drone pilots are flying over homes to get visual data showing the roof's condition. This data can be useful for home inspections done during the sale of a house to show the roof's condition as part of evaluating the overall worth of the house. but it can also be used by insurance adjusters who are evaluating an insurance claim made after damage to a roof. On the industrial inspection side, drone pilots are flying both indoors and outdoors to inspect a vast array of industrial assets like boilers, pressure vessels, or storage tanks (to name a few). Using drones for these inspections presents several key benefits—here are the top seven. 1. Savings & ROI Drones are being used to take the place of people for inspections, saving companies huge amounts of money in the process. In home inspections, drones help companies save money by: Speeding up the process. Drones can collect visual data on the condition of a roof much faster than a person can by climbing onto it with a ladder or surveying it from the ground—and this increased speed means significant savings over time. In industrial inspections, drones help companies save money by: Cutting down turnaround times. Turnaround time (also called downtime) refers to the amount of time an asset—like a boiler—or even an entire plant—like a power station—is offline while inspections and repairs are performed. When people perform inspections, they often have to install scaffolding to stand on, which is time-consuming. Drones can remove the need to build scaffolding for inspections, which significantly cuts down the time the asset is offline, thus saving companies tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars an hour in lost revenue. No scaffolding. Scaffolding can be really expensive. The cost for scaffolding for a single inspection could be a few hundred thousand dollars—just for materials and labor. By using a drone to collect visual data instead of a person, companies can cut this cost entirely. Liability insurance. If you don’t send a person into a confined space, you don’t have to be insured for the accidents that could take place once they’re in there. Of course, you still need to have drone insurance, but that is much less costly than the insurance needed for confined space entry. 2. Improved Safety Inspections are inherently dangerous to conduct in person. Inspectors risk falling from a roof, cell tower, or other high areas, getting trapped in a confined space, and being exposed to harmful fumes. These life-threatening dangers can be eliminated by using a drone to collect visual data remotely instead of using an inspector to collect it in person. Some industries, like the nuclear sector, present unique safety benefits. In nuclear work, it is the duty of nuclear plant operators to reduce their employees’ exposure to radiation as much as they possibly can. This concept is codified by the phrase ALARA, which stands for As Low As Reasonably Achievable—and it’s actually a legal requirement for these operators to constantly seek new ways to lower exposure. Drones present a powerful tool for this mission. Nuclear plant personnel can use drones to collect visual data remotely, avoiding the need for them to collect it themselves, and thereby reducing their exposure to radiation. New types of drones with new sensors, like dosimeters or ultrasonic sensors, present the possibility of lowering radiation exposure even more by enabling plant personnel to collect even more data remotely. 3. Improved Access Access issues usually come up in industrial inspections when working indoors. In these scenarios, there are some instances where it is humanly impossible to do a complete visual inspection inside an asset. However, an indoor drone like Flyability’s Elios 2 (shown below) can often gain entry to these tricky, hard-to-reach places and collect visual data there reflecting the condition of the asset. Here are some scenarios where drones can provide greater access to visual data than people can: Bridge inspections Sewer inspections Amusement park infrastructure inspections Wind turbine inspections This list is just a starting place—once you start thinking creatively, you often find that the right drone can get you closer than a person can to the area you want to look at. 4. High-Quality Data Many professional drones these days come with amazing, inspection-grade cameras, which means the data they collect is very high-quality. This high level of quality is useful for both home inspections and industrial inspections. This high-quality output can be useful for inspectors who need to reference data for future inspections. It can also be useful to help pinpoint small defects and flaws in the visual data, which can be seen in crystal clear images captured. Further, a drone flight will typically capture video footage of an entire area or asset, so you have high quality data of the whole object—even parts of it you didn’t originally realize you needed to look at. Compare this to the visual record an inspector collects manually, where photos are only taken of problematic areas, and the difference is that the drone data is not just of a high quality—it’s also much more comprehensive. 5. Historical Records All this high-quality data provides a historical record of the condition of the asset at the time of the inspection, which can be crucial when doing investigations to determine the root cause of a problem, or simply for tracking the development of a defect over time to make maintenance decisions. For industrial inspections, visual data collected by drones can also be used to create 3D models or digital twins, which are so accurate you can zoom in and look closely at specific areas of interest. For industrial inspections, OSHA has specific guidelines on how to create accident reports, and having a detailed historical record can be invaluable in ensuring compliance with that kind of reporting. For home inspections, 3D models could also be used by realtors as another way to present a home they’re trying to sell. This use case doesn’t specifically meet an inspection need, but it is another way drone pilots can leverage drone data to increase sales. 6. More Inspections = Savings Over Time Because drone inspections are much less costly than in-person inspections, some companies are using them to do more frequent inspections. In construction, for example, drones are being used to quickly collect visual data on the progress of a building. Since work doesn’t always need to stop while this aerial footage is being taken, more frequent inspections can be conducted without disrupting progress. An increased number of inspections means that assets are well maintained and that a potential defect can be caught and fixed earlier. And this kind of improved maintenance means the asset is better cared for, and will probably last longer. This benefit doesn’t apply directly to home inspections, since they’re usually done as one-offs. But the ability to quickly collect visual data could also come in handy when trying to determine the extent of damage on a roof, or simply the existing condition of a roof. 7. Flying Is Better than Crawling—or Walking Drones are just one type of robotics solution being used for inspections. Of course, if a robot doesn’t fly, it will have to move along the ground—there are ground-based inspection robots that crawl, roll, or even walk (as is the case with Boston Dynamics’ Spot). But moving along the ground means the robot will face impediments. A flying robot, on the other hand, can maneuver more nimbly around obstacles, and fly straight to the place where the inspector needs to collect visual data. And that’s why, in the world of robotics, drones are often the best option for inspections.

The World of Drones and Robotics Congress (WoDaRC) is yet another conference featuring the latest drone and UAV innovations with the bonus of including robotics. Drones and robotics go hand in hand. They are both realms where innovative technology is flourishing for various industries and lining our steps into the future. Explore the latest innovations in these areas by attending the World of Drones and Robotics Congress. Conferences are a great place for discussions, networking, and learning what’s up and coming in your industry. Past Conferences The first-ever World of Drones Congress was held in 2017 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from August 31st to September 2nd. The conference drew over 630 delegates from the Asia Pacific and beyond and featured an Expo with over 30 exhibitors from Australia, China, and Japan. At this conference, the Premier of Queensland launched Australia’s first state-wide Drones Strategy. Notably, the event also included the first Australian National Drone Safety Forum. In 2020, WoDaRC held its 4th annual conference. Like many other events that year, it was a hybrid experience, offering physical and virtual aspects. WoDaRC 2020 featured virtual conference sessions and trade exhibitions broadcast to a global audience from the physical congress and exhibition in Brisbane. WoDaRC 2021 2021 marks the fifth year of the World of Drones and Robotics Congress. WoDaRC 2021 will be held from Monday, November 15th - Tuesday, November 16th, 2021. It will be hosted in the Boulevard Auditorium within the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre but will continue the trend of hybrid conference experiences. Participants can attend in person or register for “a high-quality digital experience.” Speakers WoDaRC 2021 will feature over 60 speakers, including Dr. Catherine Ball, Associate Professor in Engineering at the Australian National University. The conference will also feature physical and virtual exhibitors. Both exhibitors’ lists are extensive. Participants include Skydio, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Alphaswift, Flyfreely, Dronedeploy, Altitude Angel, and many more. Registration If you’d like to attend WoDaRC 2021, register using the code D25PC for 25% off. There are physical and virtual delegate registration options. Registration has Full, Day, and Half Day options, and there’s a student discount. For those who cannot attend, there is also a post-congress virtual on-demand option. Full registration includes perks such as access to all conference sessions, exhibition and conference materials, the Tech Expo, and on-demand post-event access to the conference sessions. Physical attendees will receive refreshments and lunch, a WoDaRC lanyard, a personalized name badge, and face-to-face interaction with peers and exhibitors. Virtual attendees will have online access to the Virtual Tech Expo and the meeting hub. Attendees who choose the other options will receive similar benefits but only for their allocated day and registered sessions. Tyesha Ferron is a writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital content, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron

Credit: DJI At this stage, it’s clear that DJI is leading the industry in consumer drone products. Known for their Mavic and Phantom series of drones, DJI produces high-quality camera drones for people and enterprises at multiple price points. However, their inventory expands beyond their aerial products. The company has also released educational robots, a Digital FPV System with goggles and a remote controller, various accessories, and action cameras. DJI Osmo is DJI’s series of action cameras, which come with different features and accessories. On November 2nd, 2021, DJI released DJI Action 2, the newest member of their action camera series of products. DJI entered the realm of action cameras in 2019 with their Osmo Action camera, the first in what would eventually become their Osmo series. Other members of the series include Osmo Pocket and DJI Pocket 2. With its clever design, new accessories, and advanced features, DJI Action 2 stands out from the others in its series and takes action cameras and the DJI brand to the next level. Design and Key Features DJI Action 2 is a wearable action camera. It has an aluminum alloy body that is lightweight but solid with a sleek, minimalistic appearance. Its magnetic locking design lets you interchange accessories easily, quickly, and securely so you can capture everyday activities such as walking in the park or extreme activities such as dirt biking and parkour completely hands-free. According to DJI, DJI Action 2 is their “most powerful action camera yet.” For optimal performance, they have even taken the shape and angle of the lens into consideration so that you can record more of your surroundings with “smooth, detailed footage.” DJI Action 2 shoots 4K/120fps video and offers an ultra-wide 155° Field of View. It features timelapse, 8x slow motion, digital zoom, and intelligent audio. It’s drop-proof, dustproof, and waterproof at depths of up to 10 meters. DJI Action 2 utilizes DJI’s latest stabilization technology, RockSteady 2.0 and HorizonSteady, to detect and correct camera shake and rotation in real-time. RockSteady was introduced with DJI’s first foray into the action camera market: the DJI Osmo Action. RockSteady combines electronic image stabilization (EIS) with complex algorithms to deliver stable, shake-free footage. HorizonSteady keeps your footage level. Accessories DJI also released some new accessories to go along with their new action camera. Get the most of DJI Action 2 with the following accessories: DJI Action 2 Magnetic Adapter Mount DJI Action 2 Magnetic Ball-Joint Adapter Mount DJI Action 2 Magnetic Headband DJI Action 2 Magnetic Lanyard DJI Action 2 Macro Lens DJI Action 2 Waterproof Case DJI Action 2 Remote Control Extension Rod DJI Action 2 Power Module DJI Action 2 Front Touchscreen Module You can use the Magnetic Mount to stick DJI Action 2 to smooth, flat surfaces at different angles to capture unique viewpoints. If you remove the adhesive base, you can attach tripods, extension rods, or other third-party accessories. The Magnetic Headband allows you to place the camera on your head and film in FPV. The Macro Lens is an optical glass lens with a multi-layer coating ideal for capturing creative and detailed close-up shots. The Waterproof Case offers protection at depths of up to 60 and has high-strength glass that ensures a clear display, even while underwater. It can house the Camera Unit along with the Front Touchscreen Module or Power Module. The Power Module can be attached to the Camera Unit with the magnetic lock. When attached, it extends the DJI Action 2’s battery life, allowing you to film for up to 180 minutes. In addition, you can use the Power Module with an external microphone. The Front Touchscreen Module gives DJI Action 2 dual OLED touchscreens. With this module, you can move between displays and take selfies with ease. Also, the battery life is increased to a maximum of 160 minutes. How to Buy DJI Action 2 is available in 2 combos: The Power combo and the Dual-Screen Combo. DJI Action 2 Power Combo The DJI Action 2 Power Combo is $399. It includes: Camera unit Power Module Magnetic Lanyard Magnetic Adapter Mount Power cable DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo The DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo costs $519 and comes with: Camera unit Front Touchscreen Module Magnetic Lanyard Magnetic Ball-Joint Adapter Mount Magnetic Adapter Mount Power cable The main difference between these combos is that the Dual-Screen Combo features the Front Touchscreen Module while the Power Combo features the Power Module. The Dual-Screen Combo also includes an added accessory: the Magnetic Ball-Joint Adapter Mount. Anyone interested can purchase DJI Action 2 and its accessories on the DJI website. If you’d like to support Women Who Drone with your purchase, you may use Women Who Drone’s affiliate link to make your purchase. Tyesha Ferron is a writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital content, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron

By Elena Buenrostro Elena with her DJI Mavic Zoom in front of a NYC sunset So, here we are! Had you told me four years ago when I came up with the idea to start Women Who Drone in NYC at a rooftop BBQ that I'd be growing an online drone community that would be impacting women and reaching people globally, I'm not sure I would have believed you, but knowing me, I'd be inclined to believe you. I'll tell you, it has been quite the journey. Four years can be a long time for some but very little to others, but I am so proud of all the things we've accomplished as a team. Of course, it all started on The Great Wall of China. That adventure is truly the moment I started my drone journey and little did I know where it would take me in the next four years. Elena on The Great Wall of China And oh did my drone take me places. From moving to New York and coming up with the idea to start Women Who Drone, shooting an FPV drone commercial in Lisbon, Portugal to capturing cruise ships in the Cayman Islands and being invited to speak at a Women's University in Dubai, UAE, starting Women Who Drone has been quite an adventure and a dream come true! Gallery of images where Elena has traveled to for Women Who Drone including Lisbon, Portugal, Dubai, UAE and the Cayman islands in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2021, had you told me that I would move back to my hometown, San Diego, CA working, speaking and teaching solely online all due to a global pandemic without the pleasures of traveling like I did before, there is NO way I'd believe you! However, that is the case and we have remained strong throughout it all as an online community and platform. I will say the pandemic did teach us a few things. Mostly, the importance of hosting virtual events and educational workshops for our global community, which makes a lot of sense but did not quite click pre-pandemic as we were hosting in-person events without even recording them! Nowadays, as you all might know, every live event is recorded! Oh, how we have learned so much! Elena in NYC at the the Women Who Drone Office rooftop Now, a year and half later after shutting down our in-person workshops and lessons and closing down our office in NYC (sad face), we have found a new way to conduct business and have become more productive and efficient as a team and organization. In just one year, we've produced 15 online workshops available as part of our drone academy, an ALL NEW Women Who Drone website, 12 Pilot Spotlights, over 100 blog posts and recently started a WWD podcast series available on Apple and Google Podcasts, highlighting women who are using drones for difference reasons around the world. This is double the content we produced pre-pandemic. Talk about getting things done while working from home! The point is, even though the times have changed and we have been faced with some challenges and adversity, we learned and we continue to learn from the needs and wants of all of you, our community. We have learned how to share more content in a practical way so that we can continue to deliver more inspiring content, stories, education, news and resources to all of you that inspire us. And THAT is what drives me and this wonderful team of ours to continue to do the work that we do. So, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for all of the support you've shown over the years and the continued support you continue to provide as followers, readers, brand ambassadors and partners, WE appreciate you all! On behalf of WWD, Elena, WWD Founder Appreciate the work we do? All of us do this work out of pure passion. Help support our mission and work by donating today! Donate

Credit: Mako Reactra To get a better idea of how real-life FPV pilots feel about drone simulators, I got in contact with Ryan Lindsay Lessard (aka Mako Reactra). Ryan is a drone pilot who is active in the FPV community and was last seen on our blog as a featured pilot in our Pilot Spotlight series. There, she briefly mentioned using drone simulators for practice: “Another way to practice is by using a simulator on the computer. There are some great options out there, like Drone Racing League Simulator (DRL) and Velocidrone. The best part is that when you fly SIM, you don't have to worry about damaging your drone! Keep in mind that SIM feels differently than flying a real drone, but it can be a fun way to get used to the controls. I actually fly better in real life.” She has also featured clips of her sim races on her YouTube channel. Ryan races with North East Racing Drones and is a team pilot for Hobbywing, Flightone, Ovonic Battery, Azurepower Prop, Diatone, and Runcam. Here’s what she had to say about SIMs: What is your favorite simulator and why? Credit: Mako Reactra Ryan finds it hard to play favorites when it comes to simulators. She has used 5 different simulators and likes them for different reasons. She notes, “Most people can’t set up a course to train on due to space, equipment, or other reasons, so getting the practice in via SIM is invaluable.” Currently, she is using Velocidrone and DCL the Game, both on PC. “I race FPV drones through MultiGP Drone Racing, so I like to use Velocidrone because I can download the tracks to practice.” Velocidrone has a ranking system for racers to see how they stack up against other pilots, which is also useful in training. DCL the game is a SIM that is available for PC and Xbox One. As a gamer, Ryan feels drawn to it because of its “improved graphics, unique courses, music, video intros, etc.” “My favorite tracks include diving a lit skyscraper at night and power looping hot air balloons.” A particularly useful training element in DCL the game are the Time Trials, which allow you to race against the “ghost” drones of professional pilots. DCL also has a draft selection process based on your results on specific tracks. Ryan notes, “You can even win a spot on an official DCL team.” What was it like learning how to use drone simulators? Were your real-life skills completely transferable? Ryan mentions that many people will start using drone SIMs “to get a feel for the controls and different flying modes (e.g. acro vs. level mode) before flying in real life,” but she did the reverse, flying in real life before turning to SIMs. “My real-life flying skills did transfer to some extent.” She advises, “If you are just beginning, try a lower camera angle and lower rates. You can switch between default profiles. The fear of crashing and destroying your gear is gone, so it can be a relief. However, it requires intense focus because your brain is in constant flight mode. Time will pass, and you’ll look down and notice you have your transmitter stick marks imprinted into your fingers, haha.” How well do you think simulators stack up against real-life FPV? Drone Simulators have to account for factors we may not think about if we aren’t consistently flying in real life. The environment you’re flying in and real-life physics are at play. Ryan notes that it is easier for her to fly in real life since she is used to her drone and how it interacts with its environment. “You’ll hear most people describe Simulators as feeling floaty. In real life, it takes time to adjust your drone’s settings and determine what works for you as a pilot.” Have you learned anything from playing simulators that translates into real life? Ryan was once advised to use SIMs to improve her racing: “I was told by one of the fastest drone racing pilots in the world that my flight lines were efficient and smooth, but I needed to get used to going really fast. He said SIM is the way to do that.” This method of practicing has stuck with her, and to prepare for real-life racing, she has downloaded the 2020 Global Qualifier track on Velocidrone to practice. “In free flight, I can practice certain elements of the track or fly against pilot friends in a session.” If someone was interested in competing, how could they get involved? Do you have any tips for people looking to get involved in drone simulators and competitions? Credit: Mako Reactra Ryan’s first piece of advice for getting involved with SIM competitions is finding the simulator that is right for you and joining their communities: “There are lots of videos and articles that review the simulators, but I recommend also joining their communities. Many have Discord servers, like Drone Racing League and Velocidrone. Discord is a social platform where people can communicate with each other via text, audio, or video. You can lurk and learn from others in the server or actually compete during one of the scheduled events. There are races at all levels, including rookie races.“ She also advises, “Before downloading a SIM, make sure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements. ” Additionally, she says that the transmitter you use in real life can be used in SIM: “You can connect it via USB plug or use a wireless simulator adapter.” Is there an online community of simulator racers? Recently, Susan and Ryan created a Discord server for women in FPV: “We have SIM channels for pilots to join and SIM together. If you’d like to be a part of our community, please reach out to one of us, and we'll share the link! We’re an encouraging group of over 40 women.” Wonderfully, those numbers are rising. What do you hope to see in simulators in the future? Like many other female pilots, Ryan also hopes to see more women and girls in the drone community: “As far as I know, I’m the only female FPV pilot in my state, so I hope to see more women and girls flying! I hope that if more SIM, then more will fly in real life.” Tyesha Ferron is a writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital content, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron