PODCAST

Ask Drone U

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

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ADU 1406: How to Measure Construction Drone Program...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/09/28

Stop Tracking Vanity Metrics: How Schedule Adherence, Rework Reduction, and Rapid Communication Drive Real Business ValueIn this episode of Ask Drone U Enterprise, Paul and Rob dive into one of the most critical questions facing construction drone program managers: How do you accurately measure the success and ROI of a drone program in construction? Most organizations fall into the trap of relying on activity metrics — tracking total flight hours, number of certified pilots, gigabytes/terabytes of

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ADU 1405: How to Measure the Real ROI of Your...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/09/25

Moving 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 organizations and former Drone Service Providers (DSPs) can accurately measure the success of an internal drone program. Instead of relying on vanity metrics like total flight hours, pilot counts, or fleet size, learn how true program value is driven by operational efficiency, reducing service downtime, lowering cost-per-inspection, and

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ADU 1404: Why Enterprise Drone Programs Are Ditching...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/09/22

Are You Wasting Money on Drone Mapping? What Enterprises KnowIn this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob examine a major shift occurring across large-scale enterprise drone programs: the decline of routine drone mapping. They discuss why utility companies and infrastructure organizations are stepping away from expensive 3D models and high-overhead photogrammetry software. Instead, enterprise operations are shifting toward AI-powered image analysis, direct WGS84 geotagging, and automated work

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ADU 1403: Should Your Enterprise Drone Program...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/09/17

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 program managers: Should your organization still require pilots to hold a Part 107 certification when operating under upcoming Part 108 regulations? They explore why leading enterprise programs continue to enforce Part 107, focusing on pilot accountability, screening hazardous attitudes, corporate liability management, and

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ADU 1402: Rapid Fire Q&A – Drone Mapping Laws, BVLOS...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/09/15

Navigating Legal Precedents, Ag Tech Beyond Spraying, and Budget Software StacksIn this rapid-fire community Q&A episode of Ask Drone U, Paul and Rob tackle pressing questions straight from commercial drone pilots. The hosts examine complex regulatory issues—including state-level land surveying laws and North Carolina court precedents—before breaking down high-stakes industry developments like DARPA’s $6.5M Lift Challenge. They analyze the cost barrier of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)

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ADU 1401: Are AeroPoints Worth It? Propeller Costs...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/09/14

Navigating 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 Rick G regarding steep Propeller platform fees for AeroPoints. Paul breaks down whether AeroPoints can be used independently without expensive subscription plans, explores budget-friendly RTK and PPK workflows using Starlink, Trimble, and RTK Sub, and details why a robust checklist is crucial when scaling drone mapping

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ADU 1400: The Future of Commercial Drones? What We...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/09/08

The Biggest Drone Tech Trends We Saw at Commercial UAV Expo 2026What’s actually changing in the commercial drone industry—and which new technologies are worth paying attention to? In this episode of Ask Drone U, Paul shares his firsthand takeaways from the 2026 Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, covering the aircraft, sensors, software, autonomous systems, LiDAR technology, and industry trends that stood out on the show floor. Rather than simply focusing on what’s new and shiny, the conversation

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ADU 1399: NDAA Compliance – Are Expensive American...

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2026/09/07

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 operators actually switch to NDAA-compliant, Blue List American drones if performance matched DJI, even at 5x the cost? They break down the practical reality of looming foreign drone bans, why critical infrastructure industries are forced to adapt first, and the math behind drone ROI versus traditional labor. They also share

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ADU 1397: Why Drone Pilots Should Stop Selling Hours...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/08/31

Why Drone Pilots Should Stop Selling Hours and Start Selling OutcomesComplex thermal deliverables are getting killed by simpler ones. If you inspect buildings with a drone, this episode shows why the smartest workflow may be a PDF, a screen-share video, and zero fancy modeling.Paul and Rob break down a real client question about Mavic 3 Thermal building inspection work in upstate New York, including what to charge, how to price it profitably, and why hourly billing usually puts drone pilots at a

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ADU 1398: Beyond Flying – The Non-Flying Skills Every...

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2026/08/25

Why 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 competitive advantage in the drone industry is shifting from piloting skill to solving client business problems. They discuss why flight ability is now simply a baseline, why communication and sales skills are critical for winning contracts, and how mastering AI tools and client pain points can set your drone business apart

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ADU 1396: Why Most Drone Pilots Fail at Sales – and...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/08/18

Why Most Drone Pilots Fail at Sales - and What to Do InsteadOn today's episode, Paul and Rob tackle one of the toughest challenges for many drone business owners: sales. Our question for today is how a non-salesperson can actually start getting clients, and hold a conversation goes deeper than scripts or tactics. We break down the mindset, habits, and communication skills that make sales feel more natural over time. Rob and Paul share practical advice from their years of experience on building

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ADU 1395: Why the FCC Drone Ban Could Ground More...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/08/12

Why the FCC Drone Ban Could Ground More Than You ThinkThe FCC may be laying the groundwork for a drone ban that goes far beyond DJI and if you fly drones for business, this could change your entire operating model. We break down what the proposal really says, why the definition of "military grade" is so broad, and what every drone pilot needs to do before the comment window closes.The headline sounds simple, but the details are anything but. This proposed action could affect thermal imaging, LiDAR,

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ADU 1394: How American Drones Are more relevant for...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/04/17

How American drones are transforming in drone industryAs regulations tighten and supply chains strain, American-made drones are stepping into the spotlight, promising new levels of safety, reliability, and profitability. It is now more important than ever to position yourself to capitalize this change. In this episode, Paul and Rob unravel the truth behind the industry's rapid transformation over the last three months. They reveal why trust in Chinese drones is waning and how American

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EDL 019: Turning Passion to Profession: Running...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/02/01

In 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 technology, Gabe navigates the intricate world of drones, sharing the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial path. He underscores the critical role of networking in Hawaii's relationship-driven market and the importance of adapting business strategies, including rebranding for better market positioning. Gabe also delves into the

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EDL 018: Revolutionizing Drone Services with RAAD’s...

Ask Drone U ·

2026/01/05

In 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. Teej's journey from finance and crypto to renewable energy has uniquely positioned him to tackle the challenges in the drone services market. Together, we explore the significant frictions faced by drone pilots and how RAAD is revolutionizing the industry by prioritizing fair compensation, quality control, and trust-building with

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ADU 1393: The Broader Implications of the FCC’s Drone...

Ask Drone U ·

2025/12/24

Navigating the FCC ban on DJI: What it means to pilotsIn this episode of ADU, we delve into the intricate details of the recent FCC ban on DJI. This episode unpacks the multifaceted implications of the ban, which is part of a broader national security initiative aimed at addressing potential threats. We explore the underlying national security concerns that have driven this regulatory decision, emphasizing the vagueness and complexity of the regulations that have left many in the drone community

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EDL 017: The Future of drones in Golf course...

Ask Drone U ·

2025/12/23

In this captivating episode of "Elevating Drone Life," we journey with Graham Heinrich, a seasoned expert in the drone industry, as he shares his remarkable transition from traditional golf course management to the innovative world of drone technology. With over 23 years of experience in professional golf, Graham offers a unique perspective on how drones have revolutionized mapping and data collection, particularly in the realm of golf course management. Graham's story begins with his early days as

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ADU 1392: Exploring Drone Security: Opportunities and...

Ask Drone U ·

2025/12/02

Drone Security: Opportunities and ChallengesDon'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 or profit, now's the time to elevate your skills with our top-notch courses. Our episode today is brought to you by Drone U Black Friday Deals - available great discounts on our monthly, annual and lifetime membership and also exclusive discounts on our in-person training, available just during our Black Friday promotions

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ADU 1391: The Future of Drones: New Drones,...

Ask Drone U ·

2025/11/27

How 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 you're flying for fun or profit, now's the time to elevate your skills with our top-notch courses. Our episode today is brought to you by Drone U Black Friday Deals - available great discounts on our monthly, annual and lifetime membership and also exclusive discounts on our in-person training, available just during our Black

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ADU 1390: What Opportunities are available for Pilots...

Ask Drone U ·

2025/11/24

What 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 around the proposed DJI ban: Which drone should you buy before the ban takes effect — the Mavic 4T or the 4E — especially if you’re entering telecom inspections? Our episode today is brought to you by Drone U Black Friday Deals - available great discounts on our monthly, annual and lifetime membership and also exclusive

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