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Drone Photographer Johnny Miller is using drones for good. BBC showcased some of his work in a recent article capturing residential areas on several continents. The images show the clear contrast between the wealthy and poor neighborhoods around the world. Miller started the Unequal Scenes project in 2016 in defiance of the traditional power structures that reinforce inequality. Here at Women Who Drone, we love sharing stories about drone pilots using their technology for good. We hope to see more humanitarian projects in 2019. Please contact us to let us know about any #dronesforgood stories you may hear about or if you yourself are working towards good with your drone!

You may have missed out on Black Friday and Cyber Monday for major sales on electronics and other nifty gifts for the holidays, but the season of gift-giving is not yet over and we certainly doubt neither are the sales. If you have been browsing the market for a drone for you or a loved one to try this year, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 drones to consider for beginners. The drones listed below are under the minimum weight (0.55 lbs.) required for registration with the FAA in the U.S. (except for the DJI Spark. Yes, that one may have to be registered, but the process is quite quick and simple) and also durable with price points that won’t break your bank, even if you break your UAV on your first flight. 1. Hubsan X4 H107C Hubsan is known for its durable drones at a cheap price point (~$50), making it especially suitable for beginners looking to get into the hobby, but without the financial investment. This model comes with a 0.3 MP camera and records videos at 480p with an LCD display on it’s dedicated control. While it is also suitable for outdoor flights, because of its size, it can be easily swept up by wind. It is far from being the ideal starter drone if you’d wish to explore professional aerial photography, but it’s a great drone to start off with when learning to get a hang of flying UAVs. 2. Syma X5SC The Syma X5SC model starts at a low price point of $50 with a 2 MP camera for still photos and 720p for videos. This is another brand of drones known for their durability for beginner enthusiasts. This drone has the same price point as Hubsan, but you get slightly better camera specs and better outdoor stability in light wind conditions. 3. UDI U818A HD+ UDI’s U818A HD+ model was released back in 2016 and is still a popular choice for cheap and sturdy beginner drones. The pricing is just around $100 and $70 for its earlier versions of this model. This quadcopter is safe to fly indoors and around people with its propellor guards, which can also be removed. While flimsy, the propellor guards absorb impact very well making this great for indoor and outdoor flights (as long as there is little to no wind). The drone features a 2 MP camera, records videos at 720p, headless mode, one-key return, and 3D flips. 4. Altair Aerial AA108 The Altair Aerial AA108 has a great build for beginner drone pilots that can be flown indoors and handles light wind outdoors under 10 MPH. It sells at a slightly higher price point (~$130) than the previous drones mentioned but comes with 3 different skill modes meant to last as the novice pilot advances their flight skills. Along with a 720p camera and 120° angle view, the drone features some extras such as altitude hover, emergency shutdown, and custom flight route so that even professionals can be entertained with this beginner-friendly UAV. 5. DJI Spark You can’t take interest in drones without coming across DJI’s brand because of their professional UAVs, which are known for great aerial photography often costing $800 or more. Thankfully, the DJI Spark is available at a lower cost of $400 with a 12 MP camera and 1080p recordings at 30 FPS. While it does not come with as many advanced features as its more professional models, it does feature the new DJI Quickshot autonomous flying mode which means no phone or dedicated remote control necessary (goodbye, selfie-sticks!). Of course, this is the pricier beginner drone mentioned on this list, but it’s a great UAV to consider if you’ve been looking to take your photography to the skies without taking a hit to your wallet on the professional ones. Below, we've compiled a table for quick comparison of the mentioned models. While many of these beginner models mentioned in this list aren't stellar for professional photography, it is recommended to give drones a test try without much financial obligations and these are perfect for just that. Good luck and happy shopping! Trang is a science teacher based in Thailand with a background in biochemistry. Since living abroad, she has taken interest in observing how traveler's and backpackers using their phones, DSLRs, and/or more recently, drones in order to create beautiful travel photography and filmography. In the world of film and photography, Trang is an absolute novice, but as she watches how her fellow backpackers can put together such creative personal works, it has inspired her to take an interest in drones and their capabilities for gorgeous aerial shots. Instagram: @justtrangthings #dronesale #drone #topfivedrones #top5drones #HubsanX4H107C #SymaX5SC #UDIU818AHD #AltairAerialAA108 #DJISpark #DJI #WOMENANDDRONES #WOMENWHODRONE #womenwhodrone

Photo Credit: The Drone Racing League The Drone Racing League (also known as the DRL) is the only professional drone racing circuit on the scene right now, and it has the clout to prove it. Founded in 2015, DRL didn't launch their first season until 2016 when their 16 professional pilots battled it out for the chance to be one of eight competitors in their first Allianz World Championship final in London. The league has grown since then and now has a greater financial backing than before, as well as a bigger audience and talent pool. Season 3 began in California with California Nights, "one of the most technical drone racing course ever designed," before culminating in Championship Kingdom for the 2018 DRL Allianz World Championship where the top ten pilots of the season competed against each other. DRL describes the semifinals as "the most vertical course of the season." Controversially, this year's championship was held in Saudi Arabia, and the League has been receiving criticism since last year over its decision to hold their 2018 championship in Saudi Arabia. Essentially, critics are concerned about what holding the championships in Saudi Arabia means for female pilots. Saudi Arabia is considered to be "one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women." With legal restrictions on where they can go and what that can do, women were concerned that they would not even be able to get to the competition without being escorted by a male. For some, this decision is a clear sign that the DRL had not taken female pilots and fans into consideration when planning out the season. There are hurdles that women have to overcome when entering male-dominated professions and activities, and sometimes, location is one of them. Some pilots are taking this decision to mean that women are not welcome to participate in the competition. This is all the more uncomfortable considering the previous year's championship, which took place in London, had no female competitors. Additionally, as of December of 2018, the DRL Pilots page does not feature a single female pilot. This lack of representation has pilots wondering what the DRL is doing to ensure that women are welcome to compete. When the announcement was made last year, eminent female pilot Zoe Stumbaugh vocalized her disappointment and stated that she was publicly protesting. In an official statement, DRL's spokesperson responded to people's concerns by stating that women would face no hindrance when attempting to compete in the championship. Their spokesperson went on to state that the location of the competition would have no effect on their ability to participate. Benjamin Johnson, DRL’s head of business development and marketing, attempted to assuage these concerns by assuring pilots that the "DRL was taking steps to ensure that women will be guaranteed participation." At the time, it was uncertain how exactly they would go about accomplishing this. Despite the criticism, the 2018 DRL Allianz World Championship was held in September and championed by DRL elite pilot Paul "Nurk" Nurkkala who worked hard and practiced long hours in order to obtain this victory. 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 #DRL #droneracingleague #WOMENWHODRONE #WOMENANDDRONES #womenwhodrone #saudiarabia #allianzworldchampionships #ZoeStumbaugh #2018DRL

Photo Credit: Radio City Music Hall The Christmas Spectacular is an annual holiday production starring the legendary Radio City Rockettes. The show is held at Radio City Music Hall in New York and is presented to more than one million people every year, with many people attending the show as part of their holiday tradition. The Christmas Spectacular's premiere performance was on December 21st, 1933, making this year their 85th anniversary! While the show has experienced a number of changes over the years, like new designs and choreography, this year will be especially different: The performance will end with 100 of Intel's Shooting Star Mini drones. We have discussed drone light shows and Intel's record-breaking mini drones before on this blog, but this time the stakes are high. The Christmas Spectacular will be Intel's first foray into a large-scale indoor performance with their Shooting Star Minis and the only performance of its kind in the history of live theater. Working with Director Sam Buntrock, Intel's drones will be part of the shows new finale titled "Christmas Lights" with the mini drones acting as the titular lights. Buntrock is the director of the finale, as well as the director of new digital show content and Obscura Digital, a globally recognized design studio that specializes in interactive art. Obscura Digital will be responsible for the digital projections that will be incorporated into the drone's choreography. According to an interview with Variety, Buntrock states that the musical performance will center around the North Star. The drones will act as "points of light" related to the holiday, and they will be choreographed to create holiday themed silhouettes. Here's the trailer for the show where you can catch a sneak peek of the Rockettes' and the drones' performances. About 15 seconds in, you can see the drones floating above the stage. The show runs from November 9th until January 1st with more than 200 performances, making this "Intel's longest running indoor drone light show." However, don't wait until the last minute for tickets. This year's performance is sure to be a memorable one. Make sure you get front row seats to witness history in the making! I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #dronelightshow #drone #sambuntrock #intel #Christmasspectacular #CityRockettes #ObscuraDigital #dronenews #lightshow #lightsofChristmas #womenwhodrone

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Images Most drone enthusiasts understand that being a pilot comes with rules and regulations. Restrictions about where a person can fly help protect other pilots and bystanders, but what happens when drones are regulated by rules established well before their time? It may come as a surprise to you that one of the biggest cities in America has regulations against drones taking off and landing within city limits. It may surprise you even more to learn that this regulation is a statute that is 70 years old! The statute in question is Provision 435-16.0, and it was enacted in 1948 as part of New York's local laws. As it turns out, the statute is not specifically about drones, but rather avigation, which is the navigation of an aircraft, or as the provision puts it "To steer, direct or manage an aircraft in or through the air." To get a better understanding of how this statute works, I was put in contact with Jennifer Thibodeau, the DJI Public Policy Manager of North America. She informed me that the statute was instigated by the concerns that arose with the advent of aviation. Provision 435-16.0 was instated with the intention of discontinuing “wonton takeoff and landings” of manned aircraft. "The statute was written following the Second World War when aviation was still a relatively new development. There were concerns of persons dropping pamphlets from planes over Manhattan and/or landing planes anywhere they pleased in the boroughs.” Without considering the changing landscape of portable technology, Provision 435-16.0 has not been augmented to take drones and their benefits into account. Businesses have found drones useful for a variety of applications. As a result, they have increased their efficiency, improved safety, created careers and diversified their services. Photographers, filmmakers, real estate agents, tour guides, etc. have all begun to rely on drones to stay ahead in their industries. When asked about the impact Provision 435-16.0 has had on drone pilots in New York City, Ms. Thibodeau stated, "This statute has completely stifled drone use and innovation in the city. As a result of this law, NYC is incredibly behind the technological curve." No one would expect one of the world's most recognizable cities to be behind any curve. In relation to her work as DJI’s Public Policy Manager of North America, Ms. Thibodeau had this to say about Provision 435-16.0: "This statute presents an interesting case in my work, because it is by far the most outdated and out of touch piece of law that I interact with. Times have changed and by using drones lives are saved, first responders are safer, and business’ can do more work in less time. However, NYC is completely out of date." It is unfortunate that an antiquated regulation has had such steep consequences for the people of New York City. Although it is understandable to be concerned about the safety risks posed by drones, it has been well-documented that drones have also facilitated safety and progress in many industries. Hopefully, the city will reconsider how their regulations regarding drones are affecting their citizens and institute a policy that is more effective at keeping citizens safe while also affording them the advantages of new technology. 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 #newyorkcity #nyc #newyork #law #locallaw #legislation #dronelaws #dji #interview #droneuseinnyc #iflynyc #dronelaws #dronenoflyzone #nycdronelaws #This70YearOldStatuteisStiflingDroneUsein #This70yearolddronelaw

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? I first started photography using a DSLR back in 2008 and from there I have always wanted to find new points of view to capture. When researching aerial photography several years ago, I came upon the usage of drones. However, they were a little out of my price range as I was just a hobbyist. Since then, I have always been interested in drones but only bought my first one in 2017. After buying one, my photography has reached new heights (excuse the pun) and I also started to dabble in videography. Tell us about your company/work/organization and your position. I currently do not work in the drone industry and hope to one day! What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favorite thing about it? I currently own the original DJI Mavic Pro and I love how portable it is! The low light capabilities might not be as strong as the DJI Phantom, however I love the quality I get from the camera for both photo and video. Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? There will be people who will doubt your ability to fly and to create. Ignore those and surround yourself with positive people who want to see you grow. Those in the Women Who Drone community lift each other up and will help you with any questions you have. If they don't know it, they will find someone to help you! Whether it's from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I love the sunsets in New York City and whenever I am able to fly during that time, it is amazing. To see the sun set between the buildings and the sky light up with different colors, is something that I will never be bored of. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? Drones are for EVERYONE to enjoy!! If you are into photography or videography, a drone is one of those things you should add to your list of tools to be able to get different vantage points. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Women are thoughtful and supportive, which is what this industry sometimes needs. I am excited for more women to join us so that we can grow our community, which would create more opportunities for everyone! Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? It's not my aerial work, but I have photos that are in the permanent collection for the New York Historical Society! Fallon is a Part 107 pilot who currently lives in New York. She loves to fly her drone for both photography as well as videography. Currently, her passion is with cinematic drone videos and wishes one day her work can be shown on the big screen. If you would like to get in touch with Fallon, you are able to contact her via email (fallon.chan@gmail.com), or private message to her Instagram account @chandemic. #womenwhodrone #WOMENWHODRONE #WOMENANDDRONES #spotlightinterview #drone #fallonchan #womenwhodroneambassador

Photo Credit: @OsitaLV on Twitter Rumor has it that DJI plans to release the latest edition of their Phantom series sometime this year. Drone enthusiasts are speculating that DJI will release the Phantom 5 at their big event scheduled for November 28th, so that it's available in time for Christmas shoppers. What sparked the speculation? These rumors began spreading after what some people believe to be leaked photos of the Phantom 5 prototype appeared on Twitter a couple of months ago. The photos most commonly linked to the rumors were uploaded by user OsitaLV, whose profile states that their a verified drone pilot on DJI BBS (China) and an aerial photographer and filmmaker. They show a drone with interchangeable lenses (with varying focal lengths), a highly requested feature for future installments in the Phantom series, which is likely what fueled the rumors. Speculators believe that other key features of the Phantom 5 series will be a higher resolution camera, larger sensor, and longer flight time. DJI has refuted any claims identifying this UAV as the highly anticipated Phantom 5, instead stating that these images are actually of a modified version of the Phantom 4 Pro designed as a one-off drone and made specifically for an enterprise client. Though, speculators have found this explanation to be less than satisfying. Rumors were further fueled by the announcement that DJI will be hosting a big event later this month. Speculators believe that this event would be the perfect setting to reveal a new, highly anticipated product like the newest Phantom 5. This event is scheduled for November 28th, 2018 between 2 pm and 4 pm EST at Good Morning America Studios in New York City and is titled "Because Life is Big!" The event's press invitation has an illustration with people and objects emanating from a curved rectangular shape that resembles a zoom lens and may be a reference to the drone's desired features. Photo Credit: Dronedj.com For those interested in keeping track, this isn't the first time DJI has had an alleged photo leak of a new product. Earlier this year in NYC, DJI scheduled another event, but the event was postponed. After people were notified about the change, an image started circulating of what appeared to be a new Mavic pro. Could this be a pattern? Will the new Phantom 5 be released on the 28th? We'll find out if anyone's theories were correct this week. 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 #DJI #dji #phantom5 #DJIannouncement #dronenews #drone #djinews #newproduct #newyork #newyorkcity #WOMENWHODRONE #womenwhodrone #OsitaLV

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Library Have you been considering buying a drone for a while? Do you want to buy a drone as a gift for someone this holiday season? Well, it's a great time to star shopping. The DJI Black Friday sale has started! From November 18th until the 27th, you can save up to 30% online on select DJI drones, combos, and accessories. Products are marked down from $20 to $100 off. DJI is also providing customers with daily coupons for exclusive deals. Only 200 limited coupons will be available each day. These coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so get them while you can! All coupons will expire at 02:59 on Nov 27, 2018 (UTC-5). Photo Credit: DJI Black Friday Event Currently, you can save $100 on the Mavic Air Fly More Combo, the Spark Fly More Combo, the Mavic Pro Platinum, the Mavic Air, and DJI Goggles. Other savings include $50 off of the Tello Boost Combo (now $99), $40 off of the Spark Controller Combo (now $359), $20 off of the Osmo Mobile 2 and Tello drones (now $119 and $79 respectively). In total, that's $530 in savings! Be the first to find out about DJI's latest offers, deals, and news by signing up for the DJI shop mailing list. If you're interested in saving on your next drone purchase while also supporting Women Who Drone, please visit our shop page during this sale. 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 #dji #WOMENWHODRONE #djisale #DJI #BlackFriday #WOMENANDDRONES #dronesale #DJIdiscounts #MavicPro #MavicAir #Spark #OsmoMobile #Tello

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? As a side job to my full-time work, I was also a semi-professional photographer, working a variety of special events and music festivals since 2009. I then was starting to get burned out, as I felt a lot of my photos, especially of live musicians, looked similar to ones my peers were capturing. One day in 2014, I saw a top-down shot of Martha's Vineyard coastline pass through my feed, which was taken by my friend Nate Boltron. I immediately knew I had to create a similar effect with my own photography. My friend and co-conspirator for Flying Robot International Film Festival, Eddie Codel, lent me his DJI Phantom 1. The technology was incredibly limited at the time and I lost it on my third flight. A year later, I would purchase a Phantom 2 Vision+ and start flying when I visited Iceland with friends in November of 2015. From there, my photography took off. In 2017, I got my Part 107 certification and started taking on remote pilot gigs, with the likes of Intel and film companies. I also helped Drone Deploy build their initial community base and wrote a bi-monthly column for Drone360 Magazine. Tell us about your company/work/organization and your position. I run my own aerial media company, where I operate as a remote pilot. I also help other companies with their copywriting and social media marketing. I'm launching an online store of my photos, aptly titled Aerial Print Shop, this coming month. I'll also be participating in ArtPrize, the largest outdoor international art festival to date, which is incredibly exciting. I keep everything diversified so it's fresh and interesting. It's also imperative for my income stream. What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favourite thing about it? Currently, I operate two DJI Phantom 4 Pro's. A lesson that I learned early on, after a few systemic failures from earlier models, is that two drones equals one and one equals none. Always have a back up drone when you decide to fly, especially when you're operating as a professional remote pilot. The Phantom 4 Pro is honestly the best drone I've ever owned. It's stable, reliable, and the professional-grade imagery I've been able to capture makes it an invaluable tool to have in my arsenal. The quality of both photos and video I've gotten from it is my favourite feature. I've toyed with the idea of purchasing an Inspire 2, but at the moment, especially since the P4 Pro is incredibly easy to travel with, I'm content with what I have. I would like to have the option of interchangeable lenses though, so I'm either going to invest in a DJI Inspire 2, or wait for an updated Mavic or Phantom series release. Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? For the most part, the drone community has been very welcoming and inclusive of women. I've gotten an incredible amount of support from men, most really want more women to join in and find success. There are a few individuals that are rude and sexist. My advice to women is, first off, to not take anything personally and consider the source if you receive a rare offhand remark. It's not worth engaging with certain people. Blocking, while a dramatic last resort, is also an act of self care. In my Instagram bio, I state "Warning: dumb comments will get removed." A friend informed me that was a bit harsh, but when I showed him some of the comments I've removed, he shook his head and immediately understood. There's a lesson in here: if you have a question, Google it or search the forum first before posting. It can be frustrating to people who are busy or there to learn to see something posted that's obvious, or has already been discussed ad nausea in past threads. I tend to look up to industry leaders and observe how they conduct themselves. The truly successful people don't troll, cuss, or put down other members of whatever medium they're engaging. Remember that what you post on the Internet lasts forever. In that spirit, think of how you want others to perceive you. Spend your energy learning everything you can about how to operate your drone(s) ever-changing airspace regulations and any set of skills that will help your business stand out. Network and always try to help others connect or learn something new. Don't waste energy engaging with people who purposely try to provoke you. Where you channel the most energy is where you'll flourish. Whether its from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I'd have to say it was my very first professional remote pilot gig that was the most memorable. I was hired to get both photographs and video clips of the historic Embarcadero buildings in downtown San Francisco. They're roughly 750 feet in height. One mistake I had made, that thankfully didn't cost me, was not setting my Return to Home altitude high enough. Thankfully, my Visual Observer thought fast when I lost signal between buildings and set it so I didn't crash. I also had to yield right of way several times to helicopters. The team I was on had permission to fly the area, but that didn't mean we could slack. We were on high alert at all times. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? We're still in the infancy of this industry and there's still infinite potential to create a profitable business, or make an altruistic impact using drones. I personally enjoy seeing things from an entirely new perspective. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I find the women in this industry are not only incredibly talented, they're also thoughtful and supportive. Suffice it to say, I have not had an issue with any woman yet. The Amelia Dronehart Group, started by my friend Rhianna Lakin, is one of my favorite groups. I enjoy networking with and helping fellow women because like any other sector, this one can be tough. The more of us join, the better it is for everyone. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I'll be a published author this Fall. "Masters of Drone Photography" is coming out through Ammonite Press and also features some of my favorite female drone photographers, including Petra Leary and Stacy Garlington. Kara is a Part 107-certified remote pilot and artist residing in Michigan. She consults with top drone industry companies on marketing, writes for publications including DroneLife, and sells aerial prints. Look out for her work online at Aerial Print Shop and at ArtPrize. #dji #femaledronepilot #dronegirl #WOMENANDDRONES #interview #spotlightinterview #womenwhodrone

Photo Credit: Wix Stock Images On October 10th, Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4. On October 12th, the FAA updated their website to warn drone operators against flying in the area, as it could interfere with rescue and recovery missions. However, that does not mean residents of affected areas haven’t seen any drones overhead. In another post, we explored the different ways in which drones are facilitating inspections in various industries, such as construction and real estate. Because of the damages caused by Hurricane Michael, people have witnessed in real time, drones acting as inspectors for their insurance agencies. Essentially, they are using drones to make insurance assessments. Insurance companies have been using drones to assess property damage caused by the hurricane. It has been said before that piloting a drone can be more efficient than a human alone, but most importantly, it minimizes the risks that a human inspector would take on if they were to assess damages personally. At that level of damage, sending drones is quicker and safer than trying to send a person who'll have to navigate through the destruction. WPTV reports that insurance claim inspectors also affirm drones’ usefulness, stating that what a drone can do in minutes, a person could take up to two hours to complete in terms of damage assessment. At the forefront of large-scale drone-based insurance inspectors are State Farm’s claims pilots. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted State Farm a waiver that allowed them to use drones “over people and flights beyond the pilot's line of sight." On October 16, the State Farm newsroom published an article stating that after Hurricane Florence, “State Farm was the first and only insurance company to receive an FAA waiver allowing Claims pilots to operate drones beyond visual line of sight and over people for damage assessment. Drone flights were coordinated with the FAA and Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech as part of the Integration Pilot Program for large-scale damage assessment in Virginia and South Carolina.” After Hurricane Michael, State Farm continued to put their claims pilots to work and released a statement saying that, "the Tallahassee area will serve as one of the first populated sites for an insurance company to see unmanned drone flights for large-scale damage assessment following Hurricane Michael." Aside from inspections and insurance, drones are being used for other services and industries in the aftermath of the hurricane. Duke energy used drones to determine where they would deploy repair crews and equipment and to assess how long it would take to make those repairs. Also, AT&T deployed drones to provided cell phone service to survivors and relief efforts. All in all, drones continue to be an asset commercially and to communities. 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 #hurricanemichael #insurance #insuranceassessment #statefarm #insuranceclaims #claimsinspector #droneinspectors #claimspilots

Photo Credit Flybrix.com Drones are a fun and interactive way to teach kids about technology, and when it comes to learning anything new, failures are likely to occur. Unfortunately, failing with a drone usually means a crash landing, which could result in the destruction of a high-priced item. Rather than let that discourage kids from making mistakes, Flybrix seeks to encourage kids to learn through their failures. Using Lego bricks, Flybrix drones are capable of crashing and being put back together. Kids are free to crash their drones and then rebuild them, turning failure into a learning opportunity. In case you don't know, Flybrix is a company that designs drone kits. With these kits, kids can build drones with Lego bricks, no tools needed. Once built, kids can fly their drone using the Flybrix app. Even though the kits come with a variety of Lego bricks, you're encouraged to add your own to create a unique design, further personalizing the experience. This way, kids get hands-on experience with building a drone and the process is interactive. Cofounded by Amir Hirsch, Robb Walters and Holly Kasun, the Flybrix project began in 2015. Originally, their intention was to combine small drones with computer vision technology and this idea is what guides Flybrix's development today. Currently, their main goal is to facilitate kids' discovery of STEM topics, like robotics and engineering, with drones and Lego as a playful entry point. Flybrix states that their beliefs are that play is the best way to learn, trial and error experiments are the key to creative problem solving, and learning about drones should be safe and approachable. Photo Credit Flybrix.com While there are other kits that utilize Lego in drone building, Flybrix sets themselves apart by focussing on the educational aspect of building drones. They emphasize getting hands-on experience and learning through trial and error. Their drone kits help kids learn how to experiment with drone designs and understand their inner workings in an environment that allows them to work around their failures. Currently, Flybrix is used in over 500 schools in 32 states. Monica Burns, an EdTech consultant, had this to say about Flybrix as an educational tool: “I definitely see the potential for this type of technology in the classroom. From moving students through the design process, problem solving as students work towards a goal, and specific connections to your existing curriculum, the possibilities are endless ... Flybrix was easy-to-use and tasks can definitely be differentiated for a variety of skill and experience levels.” We have seen drones being incorporated into curriculums in a variety of methods for the purposes of STEM education, but Flybrix has the potential to bring something new to the table. 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 #flybrix #lego #legobricks #dronekit #stem #education #crash #handsonlearning #droneminibuild #diydrones #diydrones #legodiy

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? Four years ago I started an online business with my partner, his brother and best friend. I used to create some adventurous/lifestyle intro's to our marketing videos with go pro footage, that all changed when I came across a video on YouTube of Jay Alvarrez with some epic drone shots. I was seriously blown away and immediately bought a 3DR Solo Drone. My partner Chris would mostly fly it, as I was scared of crashing it and thought it was a mans jobs :) For 1.5 years I watched my partner fly the drone and I would get really upset when he didn't get the footage I wanted. I would stand next to him and tell him what to do, as he had a different eye to me when shooting. A year ago, I decided to grab the DJI Phantom 4 Pro controller from him and since then I have never given it back. I finally realized that women could drone too and I now love to create video's portraying how beautiful our planet is from above. Tell us about your company/work/organization and your position. I am a Co-Founder of Lifestyle By My Own Design. I specialize in social media advertising, alongside content creativity and communications. I have also started selling my drone prints and presets online. What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favorite thing about it? DJI PHANTOM 4 PRO! The quality is my number one favorite feature. I also love how it handles itself in the wind with four motion sensors, which has saved my little drone many many times. Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? Your timing is critical to capture the best quality footage. I always shoot in the golden hours - early morning or sunset with PolarPro Filters. I have been using the PolarPro cinematic filters and can not rave about them enough! They really do take your footage to the next level. I would also recommend these tips when taking any drone pictures: Look for consistent patterns Shoot in RAW format Utilize the thirds grid overlay for composition Stick to a lower ISO Always have fun :) Whether its 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 has to be in Zimbabwe at Victoria falls, catching magical rainbows from the mist of the water. I had plenty of tourists who stopped and couldn't keep their eyes off my screen. I finally experienced the full potential of these amazing falls with the help of my drone. I was so stunned by how beautiful and magical it looked from above. I had that overwhelming goose bump feeling and felt like it was the best drone footage I've taken. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? I would like to voice that there are so many golden opportunities out their right now for women, this space has not been over-saturated by women yet. The moment you create that confidence and view the world from a different perspective, you will be hooked and opened to another magical world out there. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? The more women who join the industry, the more confidence and self-worth we create within ourselves. Women bring about a fresh perspective on this industry and prove that no matter what gender or race you may be, we are all equal. I have also noticed that big sponsors such as DJI are incorporating women in their ads and promotions, this is because more women finally see the potential and value in these amazing flying machines. They can open so many doors and bring a passion into your life that you never thought existed. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? Never compare yourself to anyone, you are the only person holding yourself back from greatness :) Check out Sandrine's Video story below! Sandrine is a drone enthusiast who travels the world to capture pictures, vlogs and travel videos. She runs a online business which supports her passions to capture the world from a different perspective. She grew up in South Africa and moved to Perth Western Australia 6 years ago. #spotlightinterview #womenwhodrone #dronegirl #femaledronepilot #WOMENWHODRONE