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Company: Birds Eye of Big Sky | Pilot EQ Location: Kalispell, Montana Tell us about yourself. My name is Danielle, and many know me as a professional drone pilot. Although I deeply adore technology, my heart has a calling to share inspiring stories and discuss the power of psychology. A lot of my time is spent flying drones and capturing video for high-end companies, or preparing for my yoga classes/workshops which hold an emphasis on yoga therapeutics and meditation. I have been building a drone training company that focuses on crash reduction techniques and will be expanding training options and trademarks this year. More recently, I have been offering myself as a life coach and decision-making mentor to others and am partnering with an adventure therapist in providing couples therapy retreats and workshops. I love the outdoors, food, and connecting with others on an authentic and vulnerable level. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I went to school to study psychology and obtained a minor in photography. I have been capturing photography for the past 13 years, and back in 2012, my business partner knew how to build and fly drones but needed someone to manage editing and delivering media to his clients. He brought me on as an editor and camera operator, and I started flying mini drones and building racing drones as a hobbyist. As soon as the Part 107 came out, I became a commercial UAS pilot. My first paid job as a UAS pilot was for HBO, focusing on a documentary with Jane Fonda. Just a few months ago, I was in Iceland with National Geographic and Google for a VR project that has been recognized as a Top 25 VR Video on YouTube by Forbes magazine. It’s truly incredible to look back and see how everything has evolved! A drone view of the Wyoming and Montana border (photo by Danielle de Leon) What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? Before flying drones, I was a dispensary tender, a yoga instructor, and photographer. The transition happened by being in the right place at the right time and because of who I was connected with. What drones are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I currently fly DJI and Freefly aircraft, specifically. I appreciate the ease of my Mavic 2 Pro, yet I love the flight aerodynamics of the ALTA 8. My favorite drone accessories would have to be polarizers and screen hoods to block out glare. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? The best drone features are being able to take photos while recording video simultaneously, along with the Hyperlapse plug-in on DJI, which is fantastic. It’s amazing to see the 3D models that can be created with other AI programs. The technology around drones has come so far since 2012. What drone images are you most proud of and why? The images I am most proud of are ones I took around where I live – in Montana. The video I am most proud of is in the VR projects I have worked on. It all takes me back to those special moments of capturing and what it took to get me there. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? A thousand-mile adventure all begins with one step in the right direction. Go with your gut, hold yourself to high standards, and go with the flow by living in the moment. Whether it’s from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I was in Iceland this past May filming a VR project with National Geographic and Google, focusing on a Nat Geo Explorer Glaciologist, M. Jackson. After filming some kayaking in winding rivers, I came into land on my flight cage (since the aircraft can’t have landing gear on it while filming with VR cameras). The landing was so smooth and graceful that the director gave me the nickname, “Velvet Fingers.” It absolutely was a highlight flight for me since I had been prepping so much mentally and physically for that successful experience in my landings. A drone image of the Jökulsárlón glacier in Iceland (drone photo by Danielle de Leon) What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? Flying drones can help women refine the balance between leadership and listening, authoritative command and integrating direction. The sense of self that comes from being a UAS pilot can evoke a deep experience of confidence and self-awareness. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Women have a special ability in bridging creative thinking with technical understanding. We can provide an unparalleled sense of companionship and care to our crew members in the aviation industry and others that drones can be applied to. Danielle de Leon flying a Freefly Systems ALTA 8 Octocopter with the Insta 360 Pro 2 360 Virtual Reality camera attached (photo taken by Sherpas Cinema director Dave Mossop). This is the drone she flew for the National Geographic and Google 360 VR project titled “Into Water: Glacier’s Glaciers.” Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? Start with something attainable, such as a mini drone, to practice the fundamentals of flying. Try not to get distracted with taking photos and videos before you understand how to control your aircraft without using the camera. Contact me for more tips on flight simulations worth practicing! What’s the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Feel free to reach out to me via Instagram (@mssdeleon @birdseyeofbigsky @uascoach @thehumanapparatus) or Facebook (Danielle de Leon, Birds Eye of Big Sky, Pilot EQ)! Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? The sky is not the limit – your belief system is. Alongside the topics of cancer, consciousness, and high performance drone flights, Danielle's journey has been unlike any other. Recognized as one of the few large UAV aircraft pilots in the US, she has worked with National Geographic, Google, UN Women, BBC, HBO, and others. Her love for psychology, visual aesthetics, yoga, and flying drones has blossomed into a few different companies. One of them specifically focuses on training new drone pilots how to pilot intelligently with crash reduction techniques: Pilot EQ. Danielle is using this training company to specifically study the connection between flying drones and Emotional Intelligence (self awareness, social awareness, self discipline, and social discipline). Some know Danielle as a professional UAS pilot, others may know her as a certified Iyengar yoga instructor, and some even refer to her as a life coach or decision making mentor. #photography #femaledronepilot #bussinesswomen #nationalgeographic #natgeo #Google #DJIMavic #DJI #Freefly #DJIMavic2Pro

Video Credit: TODAY For a few years now, companies have been relying on drones and drone pilots to inspect buildings and properties rather than risk sending in a human inspector to do so. We’ve discussed drone inspections a few times before on this blog (e.g. drones used as insurance inspectors, Flyabilitiy’s caged inspection drone, and the University of Zurich’s foldable drone) and discovered that drones have proven themselves to be safer and more effective than traditional inspection methods. This driving industries like real estate, construction, and insurance to switch. Recently, the issue of having an effective method of performing building inspections was brought up in New York City following tragic circumstances. Last year, a well-respected architect was killed by debris that fell from 729 Seventh Ave., a 17-story office building. According to NY Daily News, the building had already received violations for its facade, specifically describing “damaged terra cotta at areas above 15th floor in several locations which pose a falling hazard for pedestrians.” Because of this tragic event, drones have been brought to the forefront of city politics. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams expressed a desire for the City Department of Buildings to update their methods with new technology, but he believes that the police are obstructing the city's progress. He compared the current manner of doing things to using an eight-track "in an iPod century". Image Credit: Wix Stock Library This also led to discussions about the 71-year old statute that we discussed in another article. As a brief recap, Provision 435-16.0 is a statute that was enacted in 1948, and it prevents drones from taking off and landing within the city. Thus, those whose work or businesses would greatly benefit from drone use are unable to take advantage of their benefits. A demonstration with a DJI drone was planned to show citizens how drones can be an asset in facade protection, but due to this statute, Brennan could only demonstrate the drone’s camera features. NY Daily News also reported that Councilman Justin Brennan has put forth legislation that would require the city to use drones to inspect buildings like 729 Seventh Ave “within 48 hours of receiving a 311 complaint, or after the Department of Buildings issues a violation”. He, along with supporting councilmen and President Adams intend to “raise the drone legislation with the city Department of Buildings at a Feb. 1 hearing.” 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 #droneinspection #droneinspectors #This70YearOldStatuteisStiflingDroneUsein #safety #newyorkcity #newyork #dji #legislation #locallaw #Flyability #foldabledrone #assetinspection #industrialinspection #buildinginspection

Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kirkwood Company: Washington University Location: St. Louis, Missouri Tell us about yourself. I am a photography professor and a landscape photographer. Most of my work looks at environments that have been shaped or transformed by infrastructure development. As an artist, I'm interested in how landscape images can support public discussion and reflection about land use and land management decisions. Otherwise, when I'm not working I spend most of my time running and training for marathons. I also like to tell people that while I've lived in the Midwest for the past six years, I'm originally from New Hampshire and am a pretty dyed-in-the-wool New Englander. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I started flying drones because I wanted to teach my students to fly drones. I felt like drones would become an increasingly big part of the photography and imaging landscape, and I wanted my students to gain experience working with aerial imaging and capture devices. After I got started and continued to educate myself about the field, I found myself involved in so many interesting projects and am excited to see how I can continue to work in the field. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? Before I was flying drones I was teaching photography from the ground-level. Photo courtesy of Meghan Kirkwood What drones are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? In my classes, I work with the Mavic Pro 2 and for my own work I either use that model or a Phantom Pro 4 V2. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? I think my favorite feature is obstacle avoidance. It’s pretty helpful when teaching new pilots. I’m also a very big fan of all the manual camera controls I have on my drones. What drone images are you most proud of and why? The drone images I’m most proud of are the ones that have come from collaborative projects (photographing bridges, prescribed burns, or landscape surveys) and those that I’ve taken for my own research (e.g. photographing pipeline scars). Photo Courtesy of Meghan Kirkwood Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? After I started flying drones, I decided that I wanted to try and get my private pilot license. Learning more about aviation - and actually reading through the whole PHAK (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge) - has helped me develop more thorough safety protocols and checklists, and made me a much better drone pilot. I know not everyone can take a pilot course, but the more you can study non-remote aviation, the better informed you’ll be as a drone pilot. Whether it’s from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I think my most memorable drone flight was flying with a group of students in South Africa. None had ever flown before and they were ecstatic with all that they could see from 400 feet above. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? I’d say that the field is rapidly developing and there are a lot of opportunities for motivated pilots. If you’re excited about flying, there are so many exciting things that you can do. Photo courtesy of Meghan Kirkwood What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I’m really excited that there are more women joining the drone industry. I remember reading a year ago (I think) that something like only 5.8% of FAA Part 107 license holders are female? I hope that that number expands exponentially in the coming years. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? I don’t know if this is a trick, but I try to get my students to practice flying and using 2-axis movements right after they master boxes. The more practice you get making finite and gentle shifts on the controls the better the footage will be. What’s the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? By email (meghan.kirkwood@gmail.com), or instagram DM (@meghan.kirkwood) Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I love meeting and flying with other pilots! If you’re in St. Louis and want to fly, please give a shout! Meghan L.E. Kirkwood is an Assistant Professor of Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, where she teaches Photography, including Drone Photography. She earned a B.F.A. from Rhode Island School of Design in Photography in 2006 before completing her M.F.A. in Studio Art at Tulane University in 2009. She has received numerous fellowships, including funding to participate in artist residencies through the National Parks Service, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Lakeside Lab (Iowa). Kirkwood’s photography has been exhibited throughout the United States, in Europe, and South Africa. #MeghanKirkwood #pilotspotlight #femaledronepilot #StLouis #WashingtonUniversity #photography #dronephotography #art #VisualArts #AssistantProfessor #StudioArt #DJIMavicPro2 #Phantom4ProV20

Image Credit: the Federal Aviation Administration Safety is incredibly important when talking about drones. Drones are steadily being integrated into more aspects of everyday society, and with that comes new safety concerns. If you stay up to date with the Federal Aviation Administration's website (FAA), you can see that regulations regarding the safety of pilots and bystanders are often discussed and adapted as things change. It may not always be fun and exciting, but it’s important to take the safety of yourself and others seriously, especially when flying objects are brought into the mix. To drive this point home, the FAA launched their own drone safety week. Last week (November 4-10, 2019) was the FAA’s first National Drone Safety Awareness Week. Image Credit: Know Before You Fly For this weeklong event, the FAA partnered with the Know Before You Fly educational campaign and the Unmanned Aircraft Safety Team, which hosts the Voluntary Tracking Tool (VTT) where pilots can share their flight plans. Also, Drone Safety Week incorporated a fun feature: a daily focus. “Key sectors have a specific day of the week to focus on an area of interest or expertise: Monday: Public Safety and Security Tuesday: Business – Photography, Real Estate, Insurance Wednesday: Business – Infrastructure and Agriculture Thursday: Business – Commercial and Medical Package Delivery Friday: Education and STEM Saturday and Sunday: Recreational Flyers" Image Credit: Irving Police Department In the realm of social media, those celebrating Drone Safety Week were asked to use the hashtag #DroneWeek to share their safety stories. Check out the #DroneWeek tag to see how people in the drone world have been putting safety into practice. If you want to see even more safety information from the FAA, they also have a YouTube playlist that you can check out here. Video Credit: The Federal Aviation Administration 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 #NationalDroneSafetyAwarenessWeek #dronesafetyweek #safety #FAA #FederalAviationAdministration #KnowBeforeYouFly #UnmannedAircraftSafetyTeam #UAS #STEM #DroneWeek #DroneWeek

Have you ever wanted to carry your drone around in your pocket? How about your travel bag or purse? Well, you’re in luck! DJI’s Mavic family is getting a new member in a small package. Announced Wednesday morning, DJI’s Mavic Mini is a tiny version of everyone’s favorite drone. It fits into the palm of your hand, and according to DJI, it’s almost as light as a smartphone. Despite its small size, this drone boasts some impressive features. Key features advertised include a 30 minute max flight time, 4 km HD video transmission, GPS precise hover, and more. For this release, DJI is also hyping up their new companion app for the Mavic Mini: the DJI Fly app. It features simplified recording and editing tools and a flight tutorial. Creative templates on the video editor make it easy to use for beginners. Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. Of course, the feature that’s creating the most buzz surrounding this drone is its lightweight design. Weighing 249 grams, the Mavic Mini has some people thinking that if they purchase this drone, they won’t have to register it with the FAA, and technically, they’re right! The minimum for a drone to require registration is listed on the FAA website as 0.55 pounds (250 grams). That’s one gram more than the Mavic Mini. However, this technicality doesn’t rule out anyone who intends to use their drone for commercial purposes. Commercial pilots will still have to register their drones and place their registration numbers visibly on the outside. Don’t let that get you down. There is another possible benefit to having such a small drone: a drone of this size and weight would probably streamline the process to get Part 107 certification holders permission to fly over people, making it an item worth investing in. On February 13, 2019, the FAA proposed a rule that would allow UAS to be flown over people in certain conditions. Image Credit: federalregister.gov The document is extensive, but there is a section that states: “The NPA [Notice of Proposed Amendment] introduces categories of permissible small UAS operations based on maximum takeoff masses; the “open” category is most permissive, and proposes a subcategory to permit small UAS operations over uninvolved people, but not over assemblies of people, as long as the aircraft does not exceed 250 grams maximum takeoff mass and does not have sharp edges.” Comments for this rule closed on April 15, 2019. Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. As for pricing, this mini drone will cost you $399, and the Mavic Mini Fly More Combo is $499. The combo includes extra parts such as more batteries, more spare propellers, an extra micro USB cord, and more spare screws. The combo also includes several accessories like the 360° propeller guard, two-way charging hub, DJI 18W USB charger, and a carrying bag. If you’re interested in purchasing the Mavic Mini, it is available for preorder now. Units will begin shipping on November 11th. 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 #MavicMini #mavic #Mavic #DJI #minidrone #DJIMavic #DJIMavicMini #part107certification #part107 #DJIFlyApp #ProposedRule #MavicMiniFlyMoreCombo #newdrone #newproduct

It’s always interesting to see what people are doing with new technology. Now more than ever, we get to see how they’re applying, developing and adapting to it in innovative ways. In case you haven’t heard of them, Skycatch is an exemplar of that. Skycatch is a tech startup that’s utilizing drone technology to improve efficiency in other industries. Using drones, apps, and data processing, they provide different levels of photogrammetry services to their clients. Photogrammetry is an important service in industries like mining and construction. It’s the process of surveying and mapping an area through photography, and for years, companies relied on small teams of human surveyors to accomplish this. Now, thanks to businesses like Skycatch, what used to take a group of people a few days now takes minutes because of drones. Image Credit: Skycatch, Inc. Skycatch describes itself as an “end-to-end solution for generating 2D and 3D data products from data captured using unmanned autonomous aerial vehicles (aka drones).” They streamline the photogrammetry process, which they call the Skycatch ecosystem, and can support users no matter where they are in that process. The Skycatch ecosystem has several steps. Users can use the Skycatch Flight App to plan their flight, capture their images with the Explore1 drone, process the images with their data processing pipeline, and finally analyze their “data products” with the viewer. Explore1 is Skycatch’s high accuracy drone. It’s an RTK-based drone that, according to Skycatch, has the distinction of being “the most widely deployed RTK-based commercial drone.” RTK stands for Real Time Kinematic, which means this drone has a “GPS correction technology technique that provides real-time corrections to location data”. This translates into Explore1 giving customers high quality images with highly accurate measurements. Image Credit: Skycatch, Inc. Previously, their drones were operated by the Commander app. Current systems, run using the Flight1 app where users can plan ttheir missions before flying. There’s also the Edge1 base station and companion app. The base station saves time and allows users to capture RTK data while the app automatically processes that data at high speed. Their website claims, “You’ll get to preview your processed point cloud in 30 minutes, no additional rover or internet connection required.” If you’re interested in using Skycatch’s services, they have three package options your business can subscribe to. They have a Pro Plan, an All-In-One High Precision Package, and an Enterprise Plan. Regardless of whichever plan you choose, they all come with unlimited processing. The Enterprise plan is customizable “for companies with a high volume of mission-critical imaging needs and a high degree of technical sophistication”. The duration of your contract is also flexible: “Plans are available in monthly, yearly, and multi-year options.” 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 #Startup #startup #dronestartup #map #3DMapping #dronemappingsoftware #surveying #aerialphotogrammetry #photogrammetry #Skycatch #RTK

Image Credit: Wix Stock Library Film festivals have been an integral part of art and culture for decades. They give artists a platform to show their work and give audience members the chance to witness the works of small creators. Many videographers have realized the creative potential that drones hold, and for them, companies and organizations have worked together to bring about drone film festivals. Drone film festivals have been cropping up all over the world, and if you’re in the Boston, MA area this Fall, you’ll finally have the chance to be a part of their first-ever drone film festival. The Boston Drone Film Festival was founded by members of the film and photography studio Above Summit. Above Summit was co-founded by Jovan Tanasijevic and Emilie Pickering, who are also serving as Director and Creative Director in the BOSDFF crew. The festival coordinators have been mindful about including women of various expertise in the involvement of the event. Festival Manager Julia Curiale states that BOSDFF has “several very talented women on board.” Namely, they have enlisted Loretta Alkaly who, after working 30 years at the FAA and retiring, is currently working as an independent aviation attorney and associate professor at Vaughn College for Aeronautics. BOSDFF is also working with members of women-focused organizations. Women Who Drone Ambassador Kara Murphy will be teaching a workshop at the festival and our CEO Elena Buenrostro will be serving as one of the festival jury members. Members of Women in Film and Video of New England and Sharon Rossmark of Women and Drones will also be present. The festival will be held on Friday, November 15th and Saturday, November 16th, 2019. Day 1 will be the film screening and reception along with the presentation of awards and giveaways. On Day 2, attendees will have opportunities to network and learn from a drone industry professional at Red Sky Studios as well as attend panel discussions, workshops, and demonstrations. BOSDFF features 14 categories which require all films submitted to contain 50% drone footage and all photos must be shot with a drone : Landscape | Student Film Documentary | Freestyle FPV Showreel | Cinematic FPV SportsArchitecture | Photography Urban | Nature Photography Single Take | 360 Photography Film Editing | 360 Video With support from brands such as Autel Robotics, Anker Power, LensProToGo, Team BlackSheep, Boris FX, Insta360 and Pelican Case, category winners will win prizes like an Autel EVO Drone, a Lens Pro To Go Gift Certificate, an Anker Innovations Soundcore Boost Speaker, and more of their newest products! And the most exciting part? The grand prize is a 10-day all gear & travel inclusive adventure backed by the event’s exclusive Platinum Sponsors. The trip will traverse through the southwest US and include a hot air balloon ride, white water rafting through the Grand Canyon, mountain biking, surfing, and hands-on experience with FPV and drones. The submission deadline is Monday, October 7th, 2019, and the festival is open to International drone pilots of any experience level. Nominated films will be screened at WGBH, a PBS member television station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts, which will be followed by an awards ceremony. You can submit your work HERE. You can purchase tickets NOW through Eventbrite or through their website under "Event Tickets". The Schedule: 11/15/2019 - 5pm-10pm / SCREENING + AWARDS @ Yawkey Theater WGBH Film Screening and Reception Awards and Giveaways 11/16/2019 - 10am-7pm / DRONE CAMP @ Red Sky Studios 3 Panel Discussions + Networking Opportunities 8 Workshops + 2 Demonstrations 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 #BostonDroneFilmFestival #BOSDFF #dronefilmfestival #filmfestival #filmmaking #filmmaking #events #KaraMurphy #wwdambassador #ElenaBuenrostro #womenwhodrone #WOMENANDDRONES

Drones are the future but so are women. When I first saw a drone, it was because a boyfriend of mine purchased one. I wanted nothing to do with it, at first. To me, it felt like a ‘boy’s toy’ and quite uninviting, so I stayed away. It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I realized a drone was not merely a boy’s toy but rather a new tool for creating and capturing the world in a new way. I gave drone technology another chance. With my dream of always wanting to hike the Great Wall of China and capturing my experience, I knew I needed to have a drone of my own. When I purchased my first DJI Mavic Pro, it was daunting. The learning curve was steep at the time, forcing me to teach myself everything by just going out and flying my drone. After a few flights, I was on my way to the Great Wall of China. The experience I gained and the content I shot not only changed how I viewed the world, but little did I know, it would soon change my entire career path and life. After my trip, I was hooked on flying my drone to everywhere I traveled. It wasn’t long before I became a Part 107 Certified Drone pilot and began my drone journey to what I thought would be mostly photography and videography. However, that changed when I became struck by the major gender gap in the drone industry. Many women were reaching out to me on social media asking me how I got started, what I was flying, and if I had any recommendations for them. After receiving several DM’s on Instagram, it was evident that there needed to be a space for women to not only connect with each other but inspire and educate one another as well. I knew this would be a challenging feat, but I also knew how important it was for this growing industry to include women, especially during its infancy. That’s when I decided to create Women Who Drone, an online platform and community that inspires, educates, and empowers women and girls with drone technology. The importance of gender diversity in industries is becoming increasingly necessary for several reasons. First of all, there have been several cases where industries have failed to consider the perspectives of women simply because there were no women in the room. For example, when seatbelts were being tested back in the 1960s, the tests were only conducted on male bodies, leaving women more susceptible to being injured or even killed in a car crash (Source: Ely). In addition, the same situations arose during tests on medicine, tools and even temperature regulation. No wonder our offices are so cold! They were not designed with women in mind. With just these few examples, it is clear that diversity in every industry ensures everyone is being considered. Nearing our two-year anniversary, we have realized that stories truly inspire people especially when they feel connected to those people. That is what Women Who Drone does for our community and girls around the globe. Our mission is simple: inspire others with real and meaningful stories, educate them with how drone technology works and then offer them opportunities in the drone field. This is how we are creating the next generation of female drone pilots globally. And we truly believe if we can introduce drone technology to girls at a young age, then we can slowly move the needle on the gender gap in this growing industry. Elena is a Video Producer, Photographer, Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot and Instructor. As featured in The Washington Post, Fast Company and on DJI for her aerial photography and cinematography, Elena's passion for flying drones stemmed from her trip to the Great Wall of China. From there, her curiosity turned into a hobby and now a passion and career. Currently, Elena offers drone lessons via Airbnb Experiences in San Francisco, CA and Brooklyn, NY. #diversity #inclusion #thedroneindustry #DJIMavicPro #dji #photography #videography #womenwhodrone #Part107license #part107certification #part107 #women #femaledronepilot

Image by Altitude Angel Altitude Angel was founded in December 2014 by Richard Parker. Headquartered in Reading, UK, Altitude Angel is an aviation tech company that is working towards the safe integration and use of autonomous drones in global airspace. The company developed an Application Programming Interface (API) that enhances airspace safety by providing access to accurate, up-to-date, and relevant operation data by using cloud technology. It obtains this data from government organizations, drone companies, mapping companies, air traffic companies, and drone pilots. By creating a cloud platform that supports both U-Space and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), the company hopes to ensure a decline in the collisions of drones and manned aircrafts while encouraging the growth of the drone industry. Video by Altitude Angel According to the company’s website, Altitude Angel currently offers four solutions “to make the skies safer for unmanned aerial vehicles”: Guardian UTM O/S, Guardian UTM, Drone Activity Maps, and Mobile Apps. Guardian UTM O/S is an airspace management and integration platform for drones. Aimed at ANSPs and airports, the Guardian UTM O/S helps individuals and businesses define and manage their airspace. This operating system establishes rules for drones and provides gateways for operators to access a specific airspace. Guardian UTM O/S also permits interface with a customer’s ATM system, supplying them with a holistic view. Its registration feature tracks and manages the drone industry allowing Altitude Angel to measure its growth. Image by Altitude Angel Guardian UTM keeps businesses informed and in control of low altitude operations. It is a platform that allows drone manufacturers and software developers to connect into a dynamic source of relevant, accurate, and authoritative information in order to support the process of geofencing. Guardian UTM also enables drone pilots anywhere to gain 1-click access to a controlled airspace through its online functionality. Altitude Angel’s Drone Activity Map extends over 40 countries and provides its users with real-time updates on both aerial and ground hazards. It grants pilots the ability to research an area and plan a drone flight ahead of time. The Activity Map reinforces the company’s primary concern of safety by allowing its consumers to view an airspace before taking flight. Image by Altitude Angel The Mobile Applications consist of interactive airspace maps that show operators areas to avoid or to take extreme caution in. The applications also demonstrate various ground hazards that may imply safety, security or privacy risks. Image by Altitude Angel On July 23rd, Altitude Angel launched the initial phase of the world’s first UTM Conflict Resolution Service (CRS). CRS is an API that allows pilots and operators to securely check for conflicts in their flights quickly and easily. It addresses key risks that inhibit beyond visual line of sight (BVLS) operations, facilitating the notion of making automated drone flights an everyday event. CRS provides automated drones with the ability to predict and resolve conflict mid-flight, and it helps them react in a coordinated and calculable manner. Richard Parker, CEO of Altitude, stated: “The launch of our Conflict Resolution Service cannot be underestimated. It is a massive step forward, a ‘game changer’, for not only Altitude Angel, but for the future of automated flight.” A news post on their blog states that “Phase 2: Tactical CRS” will take place later this month. While Phase 1 (Strategic CRS) is focused on pre-flight, Phase 2 will concentrate on ensuring that a separation is maintained while the drone is in flight. In this phase, CRS allows drones to sustain an appropriate “separation standard” between other airspace users or authorizes them to fly around in order to continue a safe flight. Blanca Tavera is a University of Georgia grad with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Communication Studies. She’s an intern at Women Who Drone and is relatively new to the drone industry. Her main goal as an intern is to gain a holistic understanding of the industry and experience as a writer in order to provide beneficial and entertaining articles to the readers. #AltitudeAngel #dronestartups #dronestartup #startup #API #ApplicationProgrammingInterface #UnmannedTrafficManagement #UTM #ConflictResolutionService #CRS #map

Image by Throwflame Founded in Cleveland, Ohio, Throwflame is a company that was created by veterans that focuses on hiring veterans. Tagged as the oldest flamethrower manufacturer in the United States, this company released its first commercially available flamethrower, X15, in 2015. Later in 2018, Throwflame announced their newest product: the XL18 Flamethrower. Described as the biggest and best, this flamethrower has 10x more firepower than the X15. With a range of around 110 ft and a 3.3-gallon fuel capacity, the XL18 takes the title of the most powerful flamethrower to date. In 2019, however, the TF-19 WASP came into play. Unlike the X15 and the XL18, WASP is a flamethrower drone attachment that can be integrated with various commercially available drone platforms. This attachment can remotely ignite both aerial and ground targets several miles away, and it provides its user with a first-person point of view. According to Throwflame, the main purpose of this product is to provide new levels of efficiency and manageability to the agricultural industry. Image by Throwflame The TF-19 WASP has a range of 25 ft. and 1 gal. of fuel capacity, which provides 100 seconds of trigger time between refills. At a weight of 4 lbs., the drone must consist of a payload capacity of at least 5 lbs. The current price for the WASP is $1,499. This, however, is for the drone attachment alone. Any individual who desires to purchase said product must buy the drone separately along with any other gadgets needed. Video by Throwflame Throwflame states that the TF-19 WASP was built to sustain harsh weather and to supply reliability and versatility. According to the company’s website, some of the product’s main uses consist of clearing debris from power lines, pest management, nest elimination, forest fire containment, view back burns, pre-burns, and remote agriculture burns. Because flamethrowers are considered an agricultural tool, they are not federally regulated. This means that anyone can buy one and that it is up to the purchaser to ensure that their ownership/use does not violate any state or local laws. In 2015, a Democratic Congressman, Eliot Engel, introduced a bill that would establish regulations on flamethrowers. His bill was denied, however, on the basis that he was searching for a problem that did not exist. He reintroduced a new bill in 2018 and is currently waiting on the ruling. Although flamethrowers are not regulated by the federal government, customers of the TF-19 WASP must comply with the FAA’s rules and local ordinances that inform drone users how, when, and where to fly. Image by Throwflame Regardless of the company’s enthusiasm for the release of their new product, pieces written about the WASP have been overwhelmingly negative. Dubbed as “dangerous AF in the wrong hands” or “the drone attachment of your nightmares,” the TF-19 WASP has received little to no positive media exposure. However, by providing a safer way to manage fire, the TF-19 proves to be beneficial to individuals in certain lines of work, such as firefighters and farmers. The drone attachment allows them to control the fire from a distance and ensures the avoidance of difficult and dangerous terrain. Despite this, it is easy to understand why this product is making so many people nervous. The lack of regulations (due to the WASP’s status of being an agricultural tool) provides individuals outside of these lines of work with access to a potentially dangerous gadget. With these types of products, it is human nature to ask “What if . . .” Blanca Tavera is a University of Georgia grad with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Communication Studies. She’s an intern at Women Who Drone and is relatively new to the drone industry. Her main goal as an intern is to gain a holistic understanding of the industry and experience as a writer in order to provide beneficial and entertaining articles to the readers. #flamethrower #flamethrower #fire #flames #Throwflame #droneattachment #TF19WASP #agriculture #forestfire #FAA

Missouri School of Journalism Columbia, Missouri Tell us about yourself. I’m a graduate student at the Missouri School of Journalism, part of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. I am about to begin my final year in the documentary journalism program, which includes producing my own documentary short film. I’m drawn to character-driven stories on issues that affect the lives of everyday people. I first experienced the use of drones in the fall of 2017 and have been experimenting with their applicability to journalism (and beyond) ever since. When I’m not working on my graduate coursework, I am either flying drones (commercially or for the University of Missouri) or teaching fellow students how to fly and get licensed. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I’ve always loved watching drone videography that immerses viewers in far away landscapes with unbelievable views online. A YouTube search for “Alaska drone video” could entertain me for hours. The ability to see places I have traveled to (and some I might never be able to visit) in a way that had been inaccessible to humans still blows my mind. I wanted to be able to capture beautiful places in a different way, both for my own personal enjoyment (and use in filmmaking) and to use in my journalism career to show the public a new way of looking at familiar surroundings. Drones were also a much more economical and accessible option for me to create cinematic and aerial material for my own projects rather than, say, using a helicopter. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? Before I began to explore the world of drones, I relied on more traditional tech like DSLRs and the occasional 360 camera for both my journalism work and personal photography. I was introduced to drones by my professor and mentor, Judd Slivka, who was the Director of Aerial Journalism at MU. My first encounter with drones was during the total solar eclipse in August 2017, when I served as a visual observer while a team from our drone journalism program captured the eclipse. When I joined the program, it was originally more of a social activity where I got to learn and fly with friends. Over time, I grew more interested in the technical side of the operation and realized that the ways in which drones could be used in both journalism and documentary filmmaking were endless. I eventually took my Part 107 test and became a licensed pilot. While I was learning to fly, I was the only female in the program. I loved everyone I worked with, but it was definitely intimidating, and I always felt like I had to work 10 times harder and know as much as I possibly could about all aspects of drone use just to be on the same level. In 2019, I started teaching students in the flight lab portion of our drone journalism class. I’ve greatly enjoyed watching my students grow from being nervous to hold the controller to flying orbits and figure eights like they’re no big deal. I’ve also been proud to watch some of the women in my class grow comfortable taking the lead when flying and even getting their Part 107 license. As the only female flight instructor for that class, I was happy to play a small part in helping them learn to be confident drone pilots and hopefully enjoy it along the way. What drones are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? For teaching and workshop presentations, I use the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. For client work, we fly with either the P4P or the DJI Inspire 2. For personal use, I fly with the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom. I’m most comfortable flying the P4P but like the simplicity of the Mavic’s small size and quick assembly for spontaneous flights. My must-have accessory for a flight is my DJI Remote Controller Strap, a harness that connects your chest to the controller. An old hand injury makes long flights painful; the strap allows me to loosen my grip on the controller, making it easier to make subtle movements with the drone and making long flights more comfortable. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? I’m a big fan of the zoom lens on my Mavic 2 Zoom. Drones traditionally have a wider field of view so the zoom lens allows me to maintain my altitude while narrowing the field of view. It also allows for really visually interesting effects like flying away from a subject while simultaneously zooming in on it — it produces a kaleidoscope-like feel. What drone images are you most proud of and why? I'm proud of the drone images I've been able to capture of the University of Missouri campus. I've been able to capture campus from above in all seasons and for special events like the ROTC graduates during their final ceremony and students lining up on the steps of Jesse Hall in their caps and gowns. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? I am relatively new to the commercial drone industry, but from an educational perspective (drones in an academic environment), I’ve learned a lot about patience and repetition. While doing orbits over and over or weaving through orange cones can seem tedious, I have noticed that, both with my own skill and with my students’, repetition of the basic flight skills leads to better shots in the long run and makes it easier to pick up where you left off if there is a period when you can’t fly. Whether it's from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. My most memorable drone flight occurred during a trip to Gasconade, Missouri with my professor and two classmates. I was proud of the team dynamic we had crafted between the four of us and the communication between our pilots and our visual observers (we took turns rotating in both roles). The focus of the shoot was the USS Aries, a former Navy hydrofoil now docked on the Missouri River. We captured some interesting views of the ship from above and had a great panoramic view over the flooded river. That was also the day when I captured one of my favorite drone videos: following a train as it crossed a bridge over the river. Footage from this day, including the train, can be found here. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? Drones aren’t as scary as they seem! It can definitely be intimidating to take the first step into exploring such a male-dominated field, but not only can you excel, you can have fun with drones, too. If you are even remotely interested, get involved: read the articles on Women Who Drone, watch YouTube tutorials, find a local female pilot willing to mentor you and help you get licensed. There are so many possible uses for drones. Even if you’re not interested in photography or videography, what about real estate? Agricultural surveying? Archaeological mapping? The options are endless, so jump in and share your ideas. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I’m excited to see women feeling more comfortable flying and working in all aspects of the drone industry. No matter who you are, flying can be stressful. Having to navigate safety/ethics/legal issues/airspace/etc. — there’s a lot to keep track of, all the time. I’m proud to see other women taking on those challenges and excelling, showing that there are no limits to who can take to the skies. I love seeing the creativity in drone photography and videography from other women and the innovative things they try with drones that I never would have considered prior. Your background or gender doesn’t matter as long as you are determined and put in the work. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? When I’m unsure if flying is okay in a certain area, I check VFRmap.com first. If it’s still not clear, or I have another safety question, I refer to Fly Safe. In terms of flying, in order to avoid abrupt stops on forward movements, try moving backwards a bit at the end of your move. It should counteract the abrupt jolt you would normally get if you suddenly stopped forward motion. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? I can be reached on Instagram @sarahsabatke, where I post my favorite drone photos & videos, or by email at sarahsabatke2014@gmail.com. If anyone in the Missouri area would like to collaborate or learn to fly, please reach out! Is there anything else you would like our readers to know? Be patient! While drones are fun, they’re also a serious tool with their own risks. Take the time to practice with intention and cover all of your bases before flying in a new place/for a client. Sarah is a graduate journalism student at the University of Missouri studying documentary journalism. She is also a licensed pilot with the MU Drone Journalism Program, where she flies commercially and teaches other students how to fly. Originally from rural Wisconsin, she is an avid fan of long road trips, small towns and visual storytelling. Previously, she has worked for Huffington Post, USA Today College, Alliance magazine and Gatehouse Media, doing a combination of writing and multimedia journalism. She has also reported for KBIA, KOMU-TV, Vox Magazine and the Columbia Missourian, all based in Columbia, MO. #MissouriSchoolofJournalism #ColumbiaMissouri #Columbia #Missouri #graduateschool #college #journalism #femaledronepilot #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #alaska #videography #filmmaking #solareclipse #Part107license #part107

Company: olivesauder.com Location: Gloucester, MA Tell us about yourself. My name is Olive Sauder, and I live in Gloucester, Massachusetts. I am a ninth-grader at The Waring School in Beverly. I have always wanted to be an engineer, and have been fascinated with how things work. Drones were something I always puzzled over and wanted to figure out. I got into flying drones when my Dad got one for work. I've been flying it ever since. Currently, I have been selling prints of my photos but hope to get as involved as I can in the drone industry. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I've always thought flying was super cool, so I started saving up for a cheap drone that I could crash, but I would at least learn how to fly. I lost connection of that cheap drone, and it flew out to sea, but I got pretty good at flying it. I then started saving up for a DJI Spark because it was on the cheaper side of a nice drone. My family was going on a service trip in Puerto Rico later that year, and my Dad decided to get a drone for his project. I flew the drone to help my Dad with the project and have flown it ever since. I slowly realized that flying the drone was one of my favorite things to do. It cleared my mind and provided so much joy for me. I made a website to share my work and then people started asking if they could buy prints of my pictures. When shooting an artist in residency for fun, I shared photos I took of the place with them, and they asked to use them for a publication. I realized that people really valued what I was doing, and I began to fly a lot more. I now sell my photos on my website on the side. Drones have taught me so much about myself and the beauty around me. I think that everyone should experience the feeling you get when you can suddenly see from above. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I have been on a robotics team for a couple of years, and drones always looked like a genius mechanical invention to me. I have always wanted to take one apart and understand it, so I think curiosity was a big part of why I wanted to fly a drone so bad. I had played with toy drones before, but they always broke, and I was completely unaware of the drone industry for a while. I love photography, but never got really into it. When I realized you could combine photos with a drone, I was hooked. What drone are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I fly a DJI Mavic Air. My favorite accessory is a Go-Pro Case. It keeps the drone safe, and you can bring it everywhere. It is small and organizes all the drone pieces inside. It also allows you to carry all your charging equipment, so you can plug in the batteries anywhere. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? I think that my favorite feature is Come Back Home. It allows me to fly farther away from myself with the comfort that If something happens the drone can come back to its home point. What drone images are you most proud of and why? I think that I am most proud of my photos of the salt marshes. This is because it is impossible to see the expanse of the marshes from the ground. It makes me feel like I am providing something that is unique and unknown to so many people. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? I think that one of the big things to accept is that you don't know when you will get your next best picture. You just have to have fun with it, and when you get a nice shot be thankful. Also, it’s always important to be confident with yourself. Drone pictures can look intimidating by how high up they are. Everyone has their own style, and you don't have to go up 1,000 feet to get a good picture. Whether it's from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. My most memorable flight was the first time I crashed an expensive drone. I was filming my brother skiing, so I was flying really fast so that I could keep him in the shot. This means that I was in sport mode. When you are in sport mode, all the sensors that keep you from crashing the drone are disabled. I did not know this at the time. I was so caught up with filming that I didn't notice a tree limb that was sticking out over the trail. I hit it and the drone went down snapping off its back left arm. I was devastated, but after looking into the crash more, I realized that I could probably fix it. With advice and help from a lot of other people, I managed to solder on a new arm. Overall, this was a sad experience, but looking back on it, I really learned a lot. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? I would say that if you love nature and our earth, drones will allow you to see it in a completely different way that makes you feel like you can fly. Drones have allowed me to look at some of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I also think that we need more girls in Tech and STEM. Even personally, I don't know any other girls who fly drones, and I wish I did. Knowing more women who were passionate about flying would make so many others want to fly. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I think that this is pretty obvious but having more females in the industry can change so much. It will provide different perspectives and styles that we are not seeing right now. It will show equality in an industry that is changing and evolving so fast. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? Yes! 1) Whenever you are up high, no matter what you are taking a picture of, you should spin around 360 degrees. You will find a lot of cool things that you weren't even looking for. 2) Sometimes it takes a long time for your drone and remote to connect. Here is a way to make them connect instantly: Turn on the drone and remote and let them both sit for a couple of seconds. Plug your phone into the remote. Go into your DJI app and it should instantly ( without you touching anything ) go into the drone's camera view. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Through the Contact page on my website: olivesauder.com Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers? Spread the word about drones! Olive is currently a ninth-grade student at Waring School in Beverly, MA. She is involved with First Lego League and the RC Plane Flight Club. She has been flying drones for a little over a year, and made her website as a project for fun. She has now started selling prints of her photos on her website. #dronegirl #girlswhodrone #girlsinSTEM #STEM #dji #DJIMavicAir #Massachusetts #OliveSauder #school #DJISpark #crash #handsonlearning #education #gopro