Ask Drone U
by Drone U
Latest episode
ADU 1412: Can US Drone Makers Truly Replace DJI? The Reality of…
ADU 1412: Can US Drone Makers Truly Replace DJI? The Reality of…
About this podcast
We’re Drone U, a group of guys who have turned their passion for flight into a profitable business. We love hearing from our fans, and we love helping by answering their questions. That’s why we started the Ask Drone U podcast in 2015. Since then, we are one of the largest, most popular DAILY drone podcasts out there. Each episode features an actual question submitted from someone just like you! We wish we could answer everyone’s question(s), but we’ll do our best to get through as many of them as we can. So plug in those headphones because it’s time to learn together about everything drone: FAA, insurance, business strategies, videography, drone tips, flight techniques, drone tricks, expert advice, cameras, gimbals, and so much more. #askdroneu
Episodes
The newest 50 of 300 episodes
- ADU 1412: Can US Drone Makers Truly Replace DJI? The Reality of American Drone ManufacturingXpece Founder Alex Rodriguez on Supply Chain Bottlenecks, Red Tape, and Building Waterproof Drones In this episode of the Ask Drone U podcast, host Paul Aitken sits down with…
- ADU 1411: Part 108, BVLOS, and Fleet Management – What Every Drone Manager Needs to KnowFAA Part 108, BVLOS, and Drone Fleet Management Software | Ask Drone U with Brandon Del Priore (ThinkPower) In this episode of Ask Drone U, host Paul sits down with Brandon…
- ADU 1410: Why Taranis Isn’t Spraying Crops | The Real Business ModelLand High-Volume Ag Drone Jobs: How Taranis Flies 50,000 Acres a Day In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul sits down with Phil Franklin from Taranis to explore how the company…
- ADU 1408: Are You a Pro Pilot? Here’s How to Measure ProficiencyOnline Knowledge Assessments vs. In-Field Operational Testing for Enterprise Drone Programs In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob address how enterprise programs and…
- ADU 1409: Drone Battery Myths Exposed – Interview with Patrick from Colorado Drone ChargersSimultaneous Quad-Charging, Battery Longevity, and Safety Secrets with Colorado Drone Chargers In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul is joined by Patrick from Colorado Drone…
- ADU 1407: How to Stand Out & Beat Established Drone CompetitorsWinning Strategies for Landing Clients in a Competitive Market In this episode of Ask Drone U, hosts Paul and Rob answer a question from listener Reuben about how a new drone…
- ADU 1406: How to Measure Construction Drone Program Success | ROI Beyond Flight HoursStop Tracking Vanity Metrics: How Schedule Adherence, Rework Reduction, and Rapid Communication Drive Real Business Value In this episode of Ask Drone U Enterprise, Paul and Rob…
- ADU 1405: How to Measure the Real ROI of Your Enterprise Drone ProgramMoving Beyond Fluff Metrics to Operational Efficiency, Downtime Avoidance, and Field Adoption In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob break down how enterprise…
- ADU 1404: Why Enterprise Drone Programs Are Ditching Drone MappingAre You Wasting Money on Drone Mapping? What Enterprises Know In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob examine a major shift occurring across large-scale enterprise drone…
- ADU 1403: Should Your Enterprise Drone Program Require Part 107 for Part 108 Operations?Part 107 vs Part 108: Why Enterprise Drone Programs Still Need Certified Pilots In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob tackle a crucial question facing enterprise drone…
- ADU 1402: Rapid Fire Q&A – Drone Mapping Laws, BVLOS Affordability, & Future TechNavigating Legal Precedents, Ag Tech Beyond Spraying, and Budget Software Stacks In this rapid-fire community Q&A episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob tackle pressing questions…
- ADU 1401: Are AeroPoints Worth It? Propeller Costs vs. Drone RTK AlternativesNavigating Ground Control Points, Propeller Subscriptions, and Cost-Effective RTK Workflows In this episode of Ask Drone U, hosts Paul and Rob address a question from listener…
- ADU 1400: The Future of Commercial Drones? What We Saw at Commercial UAV Expo 2026The Biggest Drone Tech Trends We Saw at Commercial UAV Expo 2026 What’s actually changing in the commercial drone industry—and which new technologies are worth paying attention…
- ADU 1399: NDAA Compliance – Are Expensive American Drones Actually Better?Buying Drones in 2026: Is the NDAA Premium Worth It? In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob address a critical question from listener Ken : Would commercial drone…
- ADU 1397: Why Drone Pilots Should Stop Selling Hours and Start Selling OutcomesWhy Drone Pilots Should Stop Selling Hours and Start Selling Outcomes Complex thermal deliverables are getting killed by simpler ones. If you inspect buildings with a drone…
- ADU 1398: Beyond Flying – The Non-Flying Skills Every Drone Business NeedsWhy Being the Best Drone Pilot Is No Longer Enough In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob answer a question from Gabe at Hawaii Pacific Drone Solutions regarding whether…
- ADU 1396: Why Most Drone Pilots Fail at Sales – and What to Do InsteadWhy Most Drone Pilots Fail at Sales - and What to Do Instead On today's episode, Paul and Rob tackle one of the toughest challenges for many drone business owners: sales. Our…
- ADU 1395: Why the FCC Drone Ban Could Ground More Than You ThinkWhy the FCC Drone Ban Could Ground More Than You Think The FCC may be laying the groundwork for a drone ban that goes far beyond DJI and if you fly drones for business, this…
- ADU 1394: How American Drones Are more relevant for the Drone Industry’s Future and Why It MattersHow American drones are transforming in drone industry As regulations tighten and supply chains strain, American-made drones are stepping into the spotlight, promising new levels…
- EDL 019: Turning Passion to Profession: Running successful drone business in Hawaii, with Gabe HanohanoIn this episode, Gabe Hanohano takes us on his inspiring journey of building a successful drone business in Hawaii. Starting with a deep-rooted passion for photography and…
- EDL 018: Revolutionizing Drone Services with RAAD’s Innovative Approach to Drone Piloting – A Conversation with Teej RagsdaleIn this episode of Elevating Drone Life, host Rob Burdick sits down with Teej Ragsdale, the visionary co-founder and CEO of RAAD, an innovative aerial intelligence network…
- ADU 1393: The Broader Implications of the FCC’s Drone Regulations and how to navigate themNavigating the FCC ban on DJI: What it means to pilots In this episode of ADU, we delve into the intricate details of the recent FCC ban on DJI. This episode unpacks the…
- EDL 017: The Future of drones in Golf course management – A Conversation with Graeme HeinrichIn this captivating episode of "Elevating Drone Life," we journey with Graeme Heinrich, a seasoned expert in the drone industry, as he shares his remarkable transition from…
- ADU 1392: Exploring Drone Security: Opportunities and ChallengesDrone Security: Opportunities and Challenges Don't miss out on our exclusive Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals at Drone U Black Friday Deals page! Whether you're flying for fun…
- ADU 1391: The Future of Drones: New Drones, Opportunities and ChallengesHow should pilots navigate the ever evolving drone industry? Don't miss out on our exclusive Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals at Drone U Black Friday Deals page! Whether…
- ADU 1390: What Opportunities are available for Pilots amidst the DJI BanWhat opportunities and drone options should pilot explore before/after DJI Ban? In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob tackle one of the most common questions surfacing…
- ADU 1370: Navigating the Drone Industry: In-House vs. ContractorsHow should pilots navigate the fast changing drone industry? In this episode of ADU, hosts Paul and Rob discuss the evolving landscape of drone programs, focusing on employment…
- EDL 016: From Hobby drone pilot to Mastering FPV Drone Flying – A Conversation with Cameron GoldbergIn this episode of Elevating Drone Life, host Paul Aitken speaks with Cameron Goldberg, a renowned FPV drone pilot known for his stunning aerial shots at Red Rocks. They discuss…
- EDL 015: How Skylights Tech is Transforming Drone ShowsDiscover how Skylights Tech has transformed the art of storytelling through drones, creating breathtaking aerial displays that captivate audiences worldwide. In this captivating…
- ADU 1388: Buy DJI or American drones before DJI ban?What should you know about the FAA Part 108 and how can it impact your drone operations? Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's In-Person training. We are announcing…
- ADU 1389: FAA’s Part 108 and its impact on drone operationsWhat should you know about the FAA Part 108 and how can it impact your drone operations? Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's In-Person training. We are announcing…
- EDL 014: DroneSoccer and inspiring the next generation of aviators: Lina Pineros from CrewConceptDiscover how DroneSoccer is shaping teamwork, tech skills, and future aviators. Planning to get kids involved in Drones? What better way than to get them introduced to Drone…
- ADU 1387: What LiDAR systems are NDAA compliant?What should pilots know about NDAA compliance for LiDAR systems. Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's In-Person training. This is our five-day boot camp that includes…
- ADU 1386: Drone Rules for 2025 AND 2026Recreational, Commercial, VLOS, BVLOS, LAANC, Authorizations, Remote ID, Registrations. Flying recreationally vs commercially today and in 2026? Flooded with the tons of flight…
- ADU 1385: How to Choose the Right Drone for Your Enterprise Program?What drones can pilots choose based on their requirements and what are some of the best drones across multiple domains. Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's In-Person…
- ADU 1384: What do changing tariffs mean for pilots and How should pilots navigate tariffsHave new tariffs been signed and what are the implications for pilots. Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's Experience Training in June. Our first three Experience…
- EDL 013: How to Start a Drone Business and Go Full-Time: Keson Drayton’s Success StoryWant to start a drone business in 2025 and get paid to fly? This episode reveals how Keson Drayton turned a career layoff into a profitable freelance drone business—using…
- ADU 1383: Drones as first responders and regulations on DSP operationsWhat should DSP know from a first responder regulations perspective. Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's Experience Training in June. Our first three Experience…
- EDL 012: From Hobbyist to Tech Leader: How Brian Owens Turned Drone Innovation Into Construction’s FutureWant to build a serious drone career in construction, VDC, or mapping? This episode explores how Brian Owens transformed construction workflows using drones and BIM models—and…
- ADU 1382: Build my own drone to do photogrammetry work?As a pilot what are my options for building and developing systems for my drone. Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's Experience Training in June. Our first three…
- EDL 011: From Laid Off to 6-Figure Drone Filmmaker: Jason Flakes’ FAA-Approved Flight PlanWant to grow your drone business, book high-paying contracts, and get FAA-authorized for restricted airspace? This episode reveals how Jason Flakes did it—step by step. In this…
- ADU 1381: What are the best drone jobs for RV parks?Tips for pilots to approach RV parks for seeking drone business. Today's podcast is brought to you by Drone U's Experience Training in June. Our first three Experience Training…
- ADU 1380: Types of work available for Pilots living in rural areasCan pilots secure profitable drone jobs in rural areas? What skills are required? Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U in-person training, a unique in-person training…
- EDL 010: How Jorge Alvarez Grew Drone Permission Into a Construction Drone PowerhouseIn this episode of Elevating Drone Life, we talk with Jorge Alvarez, founder of Drone Permission, about his journey from the concrete and construction industry to becoming a…
- EDL 009: Elevating Drone Life – Interview with Keith Stancil from NasvilleDrone on Building a Successful Drone BusinessWelcome to Elevating Drone Life, the podcast for drone professionals !! Elevating Drone Life is a podcast for drone professionals by drone professionals. It is a podcast that…
- ADU 1379: Navigating Drone Business Success: Drones, Tech Upgrades, and maintaining the Right MindsetShould we emphasize getting the latest drone for business or bootstrap? Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U in-person training, a unique in-person training event that…
- ADU 1378: Is the Air 3S and Pix4D sufficient for construction project timelapse?Whats a good drone for construction project timelapse? Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U Experience training, a unique training event that is focused on developing a…
- ADU 1377: Mapping and Block Chain Technology – Powerful Combo or Fools Errand?Is it advantageous to use Blockchain technology in the mapping industry? or are we complicating matters? Today's episode is brought to you by Drone U Experience training, a…
- ADU 1376 : Drone Insurance Canceled?! What Pilots Need to Know About Non-Renewals & Coverage ChangesHow to deal with drone insurance issues? Who are the best players in the drone industry for drone insurance? On today's episode we discuss all about drone insurance including…
- ADU 1375: How to build out a 3 year projection for an SBA LoanHow can business owners project 3 year revenues and maintain a steady flow of revenue? On today's episode we discuss ways to project finances and revenues for future and ways by…
