1. Drone aerial photography and videography

The ability to create visually stunning videos is a popular offering to make money using a drone. Being able to capture the perfect shot is a skill that can take some time to develop. Fortunately, with today’s drone technology, taking great pictures and video is easier than ever. With an integrated or attached gimbal to automatically balance the camera, drones are able to take smooth cinematic shots. The automated flying features of many modern drones allow the pilot to focus more exclusively on the composition of the shot and storytelling. For example, tracking a subject can now be performed automatically by the drone, permitting the pilot to focus on the creativity. Networking for your drone business with local realtors, wedding photographers and ancillary businesses in your location can be a great source of ongoing referrals.

2. Aerial mapping and modeling

Providing maps and models to clients has become a staple offering to make money with drones. Clients are expecting you to be able to effectively gather, analyze and export mapping data. There is a demand for orthomosaic maps which are a correctly scaled representation of an area, composed of multiple location-tagged images.

With your drone and volumetric software, you can provide your client with an estimate of the volume of a stockpile of sand, rock or other raw material – such audits would take far longer and be far more dangerous when conducted manually by employees clambering up unsteady stockpiles by foot. Consider developing both a traditional and social media marketing campaign to promote your drone business. Also think about joining business and trade associations to target the right companies in your area.

3. Drone aerial inspections

Traditional methods of inspecting any structure, be it a wind turbine, bridge or railway can have significant risk. A worker manually hoisted from a rope to conduct a wind turbine inspection is intrinsically challenging. Drones bring safety and reduced costs to such tasks.

Conducting roof inspections is also an in-demand offering – a thermal camera attached to a drone can give value by identifying hot- and cold-spots. You can inspect solar farms, wireless communications towers, oil and gas pipelines or other large installations. Inspections are one of the easiest ways to demonstrate return on investment to a client as introducing drones helps prevent accidents, reduces the need for manual labor and replaces the more expensive helicopter and airplane alternatives. The DARTdrones Aerial Drone Inspections Workshop will help you develop the knowledge to begin your exploration of this niche.

4. Agriculture and land management 

Drones can be used to make money in agriculture and land management in a variety of ways. For example, precision agriculture is the ability to increase crop profitability by using less resources. Utilizing drones can be an excellent tool in this endeavor.  Drones can be used for everything from analyzing the soil quality to identifying parasites affecting crops.

In forestry, drones are being used for surveying areas and even for planting trees. Agricultural spraying is also popular with highly specialized drones. Using a drone with or without a thermal camera can be used to search for missing livestock and to monitor game. Consider promoting your offerings to the farming, ranching, forestry and land management communities. Business Insider predicts agriculture to be one of five main segments that will experience significant growth in the next coming years.

5. Mining and quarrying

There are many difficult and dangerous tasks in the mining and quarrying industries. Drones can dramatically improve the efficiency of mines and assist in the management of quarries. All of this is achieved by gathering data very quickly at remote distances. Drones can be particularly useful at the pre-planning steps prior to planting explosives to shatter and break rock. Drilling and blasting can also be made safer by introducing aerial technology. Surveying, 3D mapping and stockpile management are popular uses for drones in the mining and quarry industries.  Drones are being used to fly a quarry, then the images are exported to photogrammetry software to produce models and maps so that accurate measurements can be undertaken within these computer models rather than physically in the field. Consider the mining and quarry industry when searching for opportunities to make money with your drone business.

6. Conservation and ecology

Efforts around the globe are being enhanced by the introduction of drones for land and water conservation. Drones can acquire images of ecosystems from the sky unobtrusively. A drone can capture images of the terrain before and after a natural disaster or can conduct inventory of habitats that are difficult to reach by foot. Drones have been used to track animals and to support anti-poaching efforts and to conduct low cost surveys of forest habitats for carbon assessments. Appropriate software can be used to map habitats and species. A 2003 study by the Wildlife Society Bulletin reported that an unfortunate number of scientist fatalities occurred in plane and helicopter crashes at low altitude – heights required for observing and tracking wildlife. Offering drone services to conservation organizations can be a revenue-generator whilst helping a genuinely worthwhile cause.

7. Surveillance and security

There is a growing interest by clients in the surveillance and security benefits of drones and the situational awareness they can provide in a real-time crisis. As drones are less visible, cheaper and quieter than many equivalent technologies they offer significant benefits for surveillance and monitoring assignments. Drones can also cover a lot of ground quickly and remain unaffected by awkward terrain. Be aware that during operations, it is mandatory that the drone remains in your line of sight at all times unless you have a special waiver from the FAA. Be mindful regarding privacy issues also.

If you are in a smaller jurisdiction where helicopter cover is unaffordable for your local public safety agencies and they are not already served by an in-house drone program, you might consider approaching them to gauge if their needs and your offerings align. DARTdrones specializes in aiding public safety departments adopt drone programs.

8. Construction

Drones can be used in construction for a variety of tasks including facilitating quicker and cheaper surveying. Drones enhanced with Real-time Kinematic (RTK) technology offer even greater accuracy benefits, but this premium capability is not necessarily required for many construction projects. Other popular applications of drones in construction are progress monitoring, personnel safety and marketing.

Be aware that in some cases the collection of the data with your drone is only the beginning – the workflow may entail putting that data into a form that is usable by the client. Of course, as we continually emphasize, you must be conversant with drone rules in your country and locality. Also, do consider investing in a second ‘backup’ drone in case your main aircraft experiences an issue in the midst of an assignment.

9. News gathering and sports

The use of drones in news gathering and sports is gaining momentum. Journalists can benefit from your ability to contribute to news gathering and sharing of breaking stories. Your service can allow the public to see visuals from locations that were once perceived as impenetrable. Drones are becoming an everyday tool, bringing vibrant still images and video to the screen to enhance storytelling. Similarly, drones are being used in sports coaching and training to see tactics from an aerial perspective, thereby giving teams an edge over opponents.

While there are still regulatory matters to be mindful of concerning privacy in news gathering, there remains a great opportunity in this sector so do make your offerings known to the local media.

10. Disaster response and relief

Drones have been pivotal in recent years during a variety of hazards.  Uses have included everything from providing a light source to illuminate an area, to locating lost people with thermal cameras. Drones can be a considerable asset in a catastrophe. As a drone pilot, one of the many services you can offer is to capture damage to critical infrastructure after such events. The first few hours of decision-making and action are crucial when an unexpected environmental incident occurs and drones can be deployed very quickly during such an effort, in comparison to alternative aerial solutions. Of course, if considering offering this type of service you must be endorsed and approved by the relevant local relief agencies – your objective is to work under the auspices of the authorities governing the scenario. Make your capabilities and offerings known to relief agencies in your area to evaluate their needs.

Next steps in making money with your drone business

Asking what the best offerings are to make the most money with your drone is certainly wise. Of the 10 offerings above, it would be prudent to focus on those that are the most lucrative given your location, capabilities and extent of competition. A key to success and business longevity is honing your skills in one key offering and striving to become a recognized local expert. Be sure to develop a strategic business plan including how to market your services. The DARTdrones Starting a Drone Business Under Part 107 can help you with this important initial step.

About the Author

Mike is an instrument-rated pilot and a self-described transportation enthusiast and weather geek. As a former light rail instructor for Harris County Metro, Mike trained new operators to safely operate trains on Metro’s new rail extensions in the city of Houston. Mike returned to Austin and discovered Drone photography. Taking his new hobby to the next level by combining his aviation, rait trainer, and industrial sales experience, Mike Joined DARTdrones to share his passion for aviation with student drone pilots to help them become safe, competent and confident drone pilots.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post The 10 Best Offerings to Make the Most Money With Your Drone appeared first on DARTdrones.

Rule 107.41 of the FAA Part 107 restricts drone pilots from flying near airports/in controlled airspaces. This rule is amongst a heavily waiver requested list including flying at night (107.29), flying over people (107.39), and flying beyond visible line of sight (107.31). Each of these restrictions affects the way drone journalists do their jobs, but the good news is –  the FAA stated that this year it will begin offering instant airspace authorization for drone flights in controlled airspace.

This new advancement will be called Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and will be available in 50 select cities by the end of the year. The entire list of cities can be found below. Drone pilots will be able to apply for digital authorization using mobile device applications they already use for flight planning.

Co-founder of the unmanned traffic management (UTM) application AirMap, Gregory McNeal, wrote in a recent article how the process would work:

“the FAA has identified areas of controlled airspace where drone flights can be pre-approved up to a specific, safe altitude. They’ve provided that raw data to AirMap and the other LAANC partners to be translated into a dynamic, digital map. Using tools like AirMap’s mobile app, drone operators will enter the details of their flight with just a few taps, and in areas where flights are pre-approved, receive instant authorization to fly.”

McNeal’s entire article could be read here.

Unfortunately, for now, drone pilots will still have to go through the normal FAA waiver process for the other restrictions. But instant authorization near airports and in controlled airspaces is a huge step forward and massive benefit for drone journalists.

Fortunately, DARTdrones new drone journalism workshop will educate drone journalist on obtaining proper waivers and flying drones safely under FAA restrictions. The workshop is designed to train drone journalists to safely incorporate unmanned aerial vehicles into their news-telling tools. The class focuses on Go/No-Go Decision Making, media scenario flying, and applying for FAA waivers and authorizations that are commonly required for broadcasting.

“What I see as the most important topic for new drone journalists is fully understanding Go/No-Go Decision Making,” said CEO and Cofounder of DARTdrones, Abby Speicher. “Every drone flight has different risks and with journalism, you often only have one chance to get the shot. I see our new Drone Journalism Workshop as a specialized way to fully inform journalists about the capabilities of drones and more importantly, knowing when not to fly.”

Learn more about our workshops!

We offer courses on getting Part 107 certified, launching a drone program, getting drone flight training and much more. Visit www.dartdrones.com or call us at 800-264-3907 to learn more about our industry specific drone workshops!

The post Drone Journalists Will Benefit From Instant Waivers appeared first on DARTdrones.

Devon Dewey, the Deputy Managing Editor and Chief Drone Pilot for KSL.com in Salt Lake City, Utah, spoke with us about the positive benefits that drones have for journalists, as well as some of the mistakes journalist make when operating their drone

At KSL, Dewey is in charge of selecting which stories go online, editing pieces, and operates a drone to gather aerial videos/images to accompany online stories.

How did you get involved in drone journalism?

I flew drones as a hobbyist for a while before the Part 107 certification came out. Once that came out –  I jumped on the opportunity in order to better tell stories and give viewers a bird’s eye view for stories we cover. 

What about adding a drone to your work has helped you the most?

The ease of being able to deploy a drone. The cost is nowhere near the cost of a news helicopter and it doesn’t take an expensive crew to operate. Many are small enough to fit in a small case and allow you to get amazing shots and views of stories that you are covering

What other benefits do drones bring to the journalism industry?

Drones help journalists in the field to get a better view of the story they are covering. Drones do not make sense for every story, but a lot of stories benefit from a better perspective of what is being talked about. For example, we covered a story about 40 homes in a neighborhood that were slowly sinking. It helped to fly high above the neighborhood to show what a large number of homes that really was. Drones also give journalists a better idea of what is going on when police corner off streets, allowing them to see a crime scene and start putting together the pieces of the puzzle. We have also used drones to highlight some of the beauty of our local state parks as well as showcasing a hike from our Hike of the Week articles.

What is the biggest mistake new drone journalists make?

Not knowing how to handle various situations when they arise out in the field. I was able to practice on my own to learn what to do if my drone begins to act erratically, when I lose connection when I accidentally lose sight of it, etc. So if problems arise when I’m flying for a story – I’ll know how to correct it before crashing.

How important is proper drone training for journalists?

Incredibly important. There is already a lot of distrust of the media and a lot of bad press about drones that make the combination of the two a scary thing for the public. If journalist drone pilots aren’t trained and are crashing and flying recklessly, it affects both the drone and journalism industry, which neither industry needs. Journalist drone pilots need to know their stuff while out covering stories to make sure each flight is a safe, successful flight.

Are journalists who are not using drones falling behind?

I think so – unless they have a helicopter. Many stories benefit from aerial video/photos and if other news organizations in your market are using them and you aren’t, that will show.

Should journalists get involved in drone journalism?

Yes, but they should know what they are getting into. Drone journalism isn’t for everyone. “One-man-band” journalists should not attempt to go live and talk about what is going on all while flying the drone by themselves. They need to know safety and ethical guidelines before taking to the skies. If they can incorporate flying a drone into their routine of covering the news, then it will be a great asset in bringing more engaging visuals into their story.

Interested in drone journalism?

DARTdrones new Drone Journalism Workshop was designed with journalists needs in mind. This Workshop will teach you how to safely and effectively maneuver your aircraft to gather news data. Also, students will learn how to obtain the necessary waivers through the FAA to avoid costly penalties and fines.

DARTdrones is here to help! Whether you need Part 107 Test Prep, In-Person Flight Training, or Drone Consultation Services to ensure your flight operations are properly organized and run smoothly, our expert team of sUAS professionals are ready to help launch your organization’s drone program. Check out www.dartdrones.com or call 800.264.3907 to learn more information.

The post Drone Journalism Q&A with Industry Pilot Devon Dewey appeared first on DARTdrones.

What Will Drone Journalists Learn?

The nation’s leading drone training and consulting company has developed new drone training programs to meet specific demands for the broadcast journalism industry. The workshop was designed to not only teach journalists how to become drone pilots, but how to secure the necessary waivers to cover newsworthy events.

Devon Dewey, Deputy Managing Editor and Chief Drone Pilot for KSL News in Salt Lake City, Utah, believes in the benefits of drones in the broadcast industry, but said the biggest mistake drone journalists make is not knowing how to handle situations that arise in the field.

“Training is incredibly important,” said Dewey. “There is already a lot of distrust of the media and a lot of bad press about drones that make the combination of the two a scary thing for the public. If drone journalists aren’t trained and are crashing and flying recklessly, it affects both the drone and journalism industry, which neither industry needs. Journalist drone pilots need to know their stuff while out covering stories to make sure each flight is a safe, successful flight.”

DARTdrones’ new drone journalism class is designed to train drone journalists to safely incorporate unmanned aerial vehicles into their news-telling tools. The class focuses on Go/No-Go Decision Making, media scenario flying, and applying for FAA waivers that are commonly required for broadcasting.

“What I see as the most important topic for new drone journalists is fully understanding Go/No-Go Decision Making,” said CEO and Cofounder of DARTdrones, Abby Speicher. “Every drone flight has different risks and with journalism you often only have one chance to get the shot. I see our new Drone Journalism Workshop as a specialized way to fully inform journalists about the capabilities of drones and more importantly, knowing when not to fly.”

Drone Journalism Workshop Instructors

DARTdrones’ expert flight instructors Kevin Coughlin, Jerry White, and Craig Trammel will guide students through the workshop. Coughlin is a Pulitzer Prize sharing photojournalist with over 25 years of experience working with newspapers in the New York City area, including the New York Times. White has over 3,000 hours of manned flight time and over 20 years experience in the video production business. Trammel is an Airline Transport Pilot, 30-year retired Air Force officer, and previously worked in the broadcast industry before fully committing to aviation.

Learn More

DARTdrones is here to help! Whether you need Part 107 Test Prep, In-Person Drone Training, or Drone Consultation Services to ensure your flight operations are properly organized and run smoothly, our expert team of sUAS professionals are ready to help launch your organization’s drone program. Check out our new workshops at www.dartdrones.com or call 800.264.3907 to learn more information.

The post Drone Journalists “Waive” Goodbye to Old Mistakes appeared first on DARTdrones.

Drone journalists can not simply buy a drone and fly it – they must know the laws put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other federal, state, and local authorities. It’s very important to get the right drone training to feel comfortable and knowledge when flying your drone for commercial purposes.

3 Rules Drone Journalists Need to Know

1. Part 107 – Any pilot flying for commercial use (flying for money) must pass the FAA Part 107 Exam. The FAA requires all potential pilots to be at least 16 years old, be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language, pass the Part 107 Knowledge Exam, submit to a TSA background check prior to the issuance of their Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate with a sUAS rating, and finally register their aircraft. This exam goes over all necessary topics to safely and successfully fly for commercial use. Some main topics are weather, mapping, FAA regulations, and how to identify the various “Classes” of our National Airspace System.

2. Flying Over Crowds – Although Part 107 makes it easier to fly drones commercially, there are a lot of constraints that still exist for commercial flyers. Operating your drone over crowds is not legal under FAA Part 107. This is very important for drone journalists to know since many top news stories might be in a crowd of people. Some news outlets request waivers (also commonly referred to as COA’s) from the FAA in order to fly over members of the general public.

3. Night Waivers – Another constraint under Part 107 is flying your drone at night. When it comes to nighttime operations, the most important thing is safety. Flying at night can dramatically reduce the distance that a pilot is able see their drone, so the use of additional flight crew members, often referred to as Visual Observers, will be necessary. For drone journalists, it might be crucial to fly at night in order to capture news stories. If this is the case, the pilot can apply for a night waiver through the FAA if they are able to adopt certain safety protocols during their evening flights.

For more information on Part 107 Prep Course and drone training visit us at www.dartdrones.com or call us at 800-264-3907.

Keep an eye out for DARTdrones’ Broadcasting Workshop – a perfect course for drone journalists (coming out mid-July)!

The post 3 Rules Drone Journalists Need to Know Before Flying appeared first on DARTdrones.

Drone Journalism and A Changing Landscape

Journalists in any newsroom – big or small, broadcast or print – can tell you how much the media landscape is changing. There’s more pressure to do more things with fewer and fewer journalists. You’re not just expected to cover a story, you’re expected to tweet about it. You have to have your stories ready immediately, not just for a nightly deadline.

Newspapers have witnessed a decrease of more than 10 percent in their newsrooms from 2006 to 2013. While print’s struggles have been talked about at length, the same problem has occurred in broadcast outlets. ESPN cut 300 people from its staff in 2015 and is expected to have another round in the coming weeks. Many other outlets have also laid off personnel.

Meanwhile, drones, like social media, are another possible tool in a news outlet’s toolbox. The cost of a drone isn’t prohibitive, especially for newsrooms that pool resources across different organizations. There are several ways a drone can help a news organization. Drone journalism can provide you images for print or broadcast. They’ll also give you videos for your websites as well.

Drone Journalism and Safety

Journalists go into dangerous places. It’s part of their job to rush to fires, natural disasters, car crashes and other hazardous locations. But it’s not just those events that can put a journalist in harm’s way. Photographers and reporters can end up in precarious circumstances on mundane stories.

Every staff has a photographer who climbed a tree or lightpost to get a different shot of a parade. And they have writers who might get too close to the action at sporting events.

Drones give journalists a chance to be more safe when covering almost all of those stories.

Now let’s look at some ways journalists can use drones.

10 Ways a Journalists Can Use a Drone

1. Pileups on the Highway

The best images from these stories often came from local news stations’ helicopters. Not anymore. Now you can send your drone along the highway for shots that show the scope of the backup. Even police are using drones to record information about crashes.

2. Car Races

Whether its a local dirt track or an iconic speedway, you have a chance to give readers a unique view of the action.

3. Environmental Stories

If your newsroom wants to look at pollution affecting a river, you’ll have a chance to show what the river looks like from the sky. Take shots once a week for a few months to dramatically capture the affect.

4. Investigative Pieces on Infrastructure

If you’ve think some local bridges are suspect, you can get great images with a drone that would have been off limits with a normal camera.

5. Fires 

Sure, you want to get closeup shots of the action, but you could get a strong image from the sky of a giant plume coming from a fire.

6. Floods

Newsrooms often have to hire a photographer to grab an aerial shot of severe flooding damage. Now, a newsroom could use its drone to get shots from high above and close to a flood.

7. Profiles of Iconic Local Properties

If you have a school that’s closing or a local mansion, you could take compelling pictures and video of that will interest your readers/viewers.

8. Fundraisers/5ks/races

Local outdoor fundraisers such as the Race for the Cure or Relay for Life have a new opportunity to get interesting footage and videos.

9. Community Events 

Thanks to drones, you can show the size of the crowd with your new eye from the sky.

10. Police Chases

While you won’t be able to follow along the route, you could get an aerial shot of a chase as it goes by.

This is just a short list of the many ways your newsroom could capitalize on having a drone. Because of new drone technology advancing so quickly, it’s likely new uses for drone journalism will present themselves as well. Follow DARTdrones’ blog to keep up with changes in the drone industry.

Patrick Abdalla is editor of DARTdrones. He spent 13 years working for newspapers. DARTdrones has more than 40 expert drone pilots who train students around the country. Email Patrick at patrick@dartdrones.com. He wrote this post about drone journalism. 

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