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Instantly gauge your drone program's maturity and get your growth roadmap. Download the FREE Assessment 👉 https://bit.ly/drone-program-maturity-assessment Ready for the Pro-Level? Sign up for our paid newsletter, The Drone Strategist, on Substack! 👉 https://bit.ly/the-drone-strategist-newsletter -------------------------------------------------------------------- Most drone industry leaders agree: without clear standards, the industry risks chaos—and safety crises. Brandon Beal, CEO of Elevation Aerial Application, exposes how fragmentation and outdated practices threaten long-term growth, and shares bold solutions that any operator or manufacturer needs to hear. This episode dives into the real challenges of unregulated innovation—from drone crashes and maintenance nightmares to the creeping gap between prosumer tech and enterprise-grade reliability. Brandon reveals that hope and hope alone aren’t enough—standards, shared protocols, and open communication are the tools that can push the industry forward. You'll discover why current safety practices are insufficient, what a true safety-first operating culture looks like, and how industry-wide open standards could unlock faster adoption, better safety, and lower costs across all sectors—agriculture, law enforcement, delivery, and beyond. We break down the crucial differences between aviation’s risk-averse mindset and industries tiptoeing into drones. Brandon shares insights on how manufacturers hinder progress by hiding flight data, why the biggest opportunities lie in collaborative, transparent ecosystems, and how entrepreneurs can lead the way with affordable diagnostic tools and open protocols. If you’re an operator striving for reliability, an innovator aiming to accelerate growth, or a policymaker concerned about safety—this episode rewires your thinking. Why ignoring this crisis in standards means risking more crashes, higher costs, and regulatory clampdowns. But embracing shared frameworks and manufacturer transparency opens the door to safer skies, smarter operations, and explosive industry growth. This is essential listening for everyone committed to building a sustainable drone future—because the industry isn’t slowing down, and the choice is ours: crash into a wall or build a way around it. Are you ready to rethink safety, collaboration, and progress in drone technology? Hit play. Key Takeaways: The industry’s convergence demands consistent, shared standardsCommunication beats confusion—especially in shared airspacePreventative maintenance is profitabilityOpen diagnostics and data access unlock faster troubleshootingOperators can lead—don’t wait for regulation to force it

Instantly gauge your drone program's maturity and get your growth roadmap. Download the FREE Assessment 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment  Ready for the Pro-Level? Sign up for our paid newsletter, The Drone Strategist, on Substack! 👉 https://bit.ly/the-dronestrategist-newsletter ————————————— In this episode, host Jason San Souci welcomes Peter Kalaitzidis, Senior Robotics and UAS Program Manager at the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Peter brings years of hands-on expertise in drone operations, safety, and data management, and he breaks down how robotics is transforming utility inspections. Peter shares how NYPA is building a massive internal pilot program, investing $37 million in robotics through 2028, and why retaining institutional knowledge is their most powerful metric for success. Key Takeaways: Safety First: NYPA's top priority is safety, driven by the philosophy: "Risk the machine, not the person." The Power of Data: NYPA uses its proprietary Media Hub to classify hundreds of thousands of inspection photos, building the foundation for asset-specific AI models. Human-Centric ROI: Success is measured by retaining expert employees for extra years, preserving invaluable institutional knowledge over simple cost savings. Program Scale: NYPA has trained over 146 internal employees, including pilots up to 70 years old, as drone operators. Controversial View: Peter argues against full automation ("Skynet" mentality), stressing that the "Human in the Loop" (SMEs) is always essential for complex inspection workflows. Episode Highlights and Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction and opening questions for Peter Kalaitzidis [00:02:55] - Peter's Journey: From US Air Force veteran to leading the robotics program at the New York Power Authority [00:04:54] - Program Scale: NYPA has successfully trained 146 internal drone pilots, including employees up to 70 years old [00:05:13] - Strategic Goals: The complex list of three priorities: Safety, Safety, Safety [00:06:05] - Safety Philosophy: Limiting risk by using the approach: "Risk the machine, not the person" [00:07:11] - NYPA's $37M Investment: Allocation of funds toward Asset Monitoring, Vegetation Management, and Emergency Response [00:10:12] - Data Management & AI: How Media Hub is used to classify high-resolution images to create utility-specific AI models [00:14:50] - Measuring ROI: Discussing the "walk, crawl, run" mentality and focusing on preventative maintenance activities [00:17:40] - Human Success Metric: The story of the 68-year-old pilot who worked two extra years because of the drone program, saving invaluable institutional knowledge [00:20:28] - Controversial Topic: The argument for why "Human in the Loop" will always be essential and why full automation fails without SMEs Follow the Guest Peter Kalaitzidis: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-kalaitzidis-508500103/ 👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-power-authority/ 👉 Website: https://www.nypa.gov/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:  👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast:  👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #UtilityDrones #RoboticsInInspection #NYPA #DroneSafety #HumanInTheLoop #AssetManagement #UASProgram #DataClassification

Instantly gauge your drone program's maturity and get your growth roadmap. Download the FREE Assessment 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment  Ready for the Pro-Level? Sign up for our paid newsletter, The Drone Strategist, on Substack! 👉 https://bit.ly/the-dronestrategist-newsletter ------------------------------ In this episode, host Jason San Souci welcomes Scott Forbes, Senior Analyst for Drone Safety and Standards at Verizon and a former US Army Blackhawk maintenance test pilot. Scott shares his unique journey from 25 years in military aviation to overseeing one of the largest corporate drone programs. Scott breaks down the pillars of Verizon’s robust Safety Management System (SMS) and shares a provocative view on the future of professional drone pilots. Key Takeaways: HAWK Drone: Learn how Verizon uses a tethered drone, the "HAWK," to instantly re-establish wireless communication networks in disaster areas.The Power of 4G LTE: Why Verizon's proven 4G network is the "force multiplier" for long-distance command and control and real-time video streaming (situational awareness) for first responders.Safety Management System (SMS): The essential safety metrics Verizon tracks, including preflight checklists, anonymous reporting, and battery/distance performance indicators, to ensure thousands of damage-free flights.Career Journey: Scott's transition from a US Army Blackhawk maintenance test pilot to a drone safety leader at a Fortune 50 company. Episode Highlights and Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction/Opening [00:03:33] - Scott's Journey: From US Army Blackhawk maintenance test pilot to Verizon Senior Analyst, Drone Safety and Standards [00:05:00] - Strategic Goals: Fleet modernization, world-class in-person training, and increasing capabilities integration (e.g., hyper-precise location) [00:07:35] - Disaster Response: Use of drones for rapid mapping and terrain assessment for Verizon's Incident Response Team (DIRT) [00:10:20] - 4G vs. 5G: Current use of 4G LTE for airborne Command and Control (C2) and real-time video streaming due to FCC limitations on 5G for drone operations [00:12:14] - Safety Pillars: The importance of a robust Safety Management System (SMS), the Drone Handbook, and mandatory preflight checklists [00:15:13] - Internal Certification: Verizon's process for training and certifying its remote pilots, including monitoring flight maneuvers via their flight management system [00:17:32] - Industry-Wide Standards: Scott's belief that common standards, collaborating with peers, and communicating with the FAA are essential for safe growth[00:20:20] - Measuring ROI: Quantifying economic benefits by comparing costs of drone use to traditional methods (e.g., tower climbs) for use cases like site surveys, microwave line-of-sight, and avian inspections [00:25:34] Controversial Topic: The argument that every enterprise drone program should employ full-time drone pilots with an "aviator's mindset" to safely tackle newer, more complex use cases like Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Follow the Guest Scott Forbes: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-forbes/ 👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verizon/ 👉 Website: https://mycareer.verizon.com/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:  👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast:  👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #DroneTechnology #UAS #Verizon #DroneSafety #DisasterResponse #Aviation #SafetyManagementSystem #EnterpriseDrones

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this micro-podcast episode of the Do You Know Drones Podcast, host Jason San Souci sits down with Bobby Sakaki, the founder and Grand Seer at UAS Nexus, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conversation focuses on a tough question: What is going wrong in the drone industry? Bobby shares his concerns about the lack of US government investment in the industrial base, regulatory issues, and the widening gap with foreign competitors. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Lack of US Government Investment: There is not enough investment from the US government in the general industrial base for drones, not just defense. Industrial Base Concern: The US industrial base is not currently building drones at the same scale and quality as an iPhone, causing concern that China will remain ahead. Regulatory Capture: Lobbying and regulatory capture haven't helped the industry, potentially hindering the adoption of quality American-made drones like the Skydio X10. Misleading Legislation: Legislation like the "American Drone Dominance Act" is viewed as misleading and doesn't address the fundamental issue of not having US subsidies to build an industrial base comparable to competitors. Getting in Our Own Way: The US is hindering its own progress in the drone industry, and a massive collaborative effort is needed to move forward. Pivoting to Defense: The industry has pivoted toward defense because that's currently where the money and urgency are, but the focus should be on creating building blocks for the entire industrial base (defense, mapping, inspection, etc.). ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and the free Enterprise Drone Program Maturity assessment offer. [00:01:51] - Bobby discusses the lack of US government investment in the industrial base, the scale gap with China, and his worry about the industrial base. [00:02:59] - Bobby critiques the negative effects of regulatory capture and the failure of a DJI ban to help stateside drone manufacturing. [00:03:39] - Jason agrees that the US is getting in its own way and needs to take collaborative steps now. [00:04:49] - Discussion ends with a conference idea and final sign-off from the Commercial UAV Expo. Follow the Guest Bobby Sakaki: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbysakaki/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #UASNexus #DroneIndustry #CommercialUAVExpo #USInvestment #DronePolicy #IndustrialBase #RegulatoryCapture #AmericanDrones

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this micro-podcast episode (number 11) of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci is joined by Christian Stalling, the owner and president of Vertical Aspect, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss the current state of the drone industry, acknowledging the positive foothold it has established, but primarily focusing on critical issues and challenges, particularly those related to geopolitical pressures and program strategy. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Geopolitical Impact on Manufacturing: The push to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturers, while helping US companies in the short term, presents long-term challenges in achieving the automation and mass production necessary for a scalable and cost-effective hardware industry. Risk to Small/Medium Businesses: Potential consolidation of service companies and a reduction in unit purchases could box out small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the geospatial industry. Strategy Over Hardware: The industry continues to struggle by prioritizing the drone/hardware first ("must have drone, build business") instead of approaching it as geospatial professionals who prioritize strategy, toolset, and desired outcomes. Unintended Consequences: Policies designed to create a vibrant US drone industry may have unintended consequences, placing immense pressure on advocates within companies who may have to ask for significantly more budget after initial, cheaper purchases become unusable. ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast. [00:02:19] - Christian discusses excitement for robotic, autonomous drone applications, but notes that geopolitical issues have reshaped the industry in 2025. [00:03:00] - Christian expresses concern that while a move away from foreign manufacturers helps US companies in the short term, the challenge of building scalable, automated hardware manufacturing domestically could lead to issues like missed QA gates, unhappy customers, and higher costs. [00:04:30] - Christian notes that these changes could lead to consolidation and reduce the number of units purchased, emphasizing the need to help US companies scale up automation. [00:07:57] - Christian gives an example of the pressure on UAS program advocates when geopolitical changes make their initial, executive-approved hardware purchases unusable. Follow the Guest Christian Stalling: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cstallings/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #DroneIndustry #UASEntreprise #USManufacturing #Geospatial #CommercialUAV #DronePolicy #VerticalAspect #DronesForBusiness

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this micro-podcast episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci is live from the Commercial UAV Expo in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. He's joined by Isaac Piche, the US Standards and Operations Manager for Quanta Aviation Services. Isaac shares his perspective on the industry's challenges, focusing on the proposed Part 108 rule's potential impact on traditional aviation and the general struggle with integrating drone data into actionable insights rather than just collecting it.  🔑 Key Takeaways: Part 108 Concerns: The proposed rule's language, which alludes to drones having priority in the "highway in the sky" for critical infrastructure and right-of-way, raises "red flags" for organizations like Quanta Aviation Services, which operate traditional helicopters in those areas. The Need to Comment on NPRM: Both Jason and Isaac stress the critical importance of the drone industry providing specific, impact-focused, and solution-oriented comments to the FAA on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 108. Avoid "Vaporware" Mentality: Many companies, especially utilities, have struggled with initial drone programs because they focus on technology (like hardware, LiDAR, or AI) without a clear plan for what to do with the massive amounts of data collected. Focus on the Deliverable/Actionable Insights: New entrants to the drone industry should prioritize the end-point solution - the analytics and insights - over just data collection (the "tools"). ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and a mention of the free Enterprise Drone Program Maturity assessment. [00:02:16] - Isaac discusses concerns about the language in the proposed Part 108 rule regarding yielding to drones, which could impact Quanta's critical infrastructure helicopter operations. [00:05:53] - Discussion of "vaporware" in the industry and the need for new businesses to slow down, educate clients, and secure contracts before investing heavily in new hardware. [00:08:10] - The problem of collecting massive amounts of data (like LiDAR or 100,000 images) without a plan for the deliverable and actionable insights. [00:10:37] - The current ecosystem of software providers is making it easier to tie together actionable insights from various data types. Follow the Guest Isaac Piche:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacaaronpiche/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #DroneIndustry #CommercialUAVExpo #Part108 #BeyondVLOS #UASSafety #EnterpriseDrones #DataAnalytics #CriticalInfrastructure

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this micro-podcast episode, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, host Jason San Souci of the Dawn of Drones podcast is joined by his distinguished guest, Bill Daggett, President, Founder, Co-founder, Grand Poobah, and CEO of Delta Advisory Group. The two discuss the current resurgence and positive momentum in the drone industry, as well as the critical pitfalls that are still causing drone companies and enterprise programs to struggle. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Misguided Revenue Models: Companies often fail because they position themselves for future regulations instead of the current ones, a dangerous strategy given the long history of delays in rule-making. Strategy Trumps Tools: Drone Service Providers (DSPs) often make mistakes by leading with the drone as a tool, much like a contractor showing up with just a hammer. The focus should be on the mission, the data, and the problem being solved. Program Failure: Enterprise drone programs frequently fail because they are "ad hoc," throwing things together without following defined program stages and proper strategy. High Barrier to Entry: The era of the "two guys in a trailer" DSP is ending, and a higher barrier to entry is expected for industry professionals, which is seen as a positive development. Nascent Industry: The industry is still considered nascent, having only figured out about 5% of its potential, highlighting vast room for growth and new applications in payloads and data streams. ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast, the disruptive nature of drones, and a mention of the free Enterprise Drone Program Maturity assessment. [00:02:05] - Bill Daggett discusses the upcoming panel and the major reason companies fail: betting on future regulatory environments. [00:04:02] - Bill talks about the new resurgence of interest and a major mistake: forgetting that the drone is not the end-product. [00:06:48] - Bill projects a higher barrier to entry in the industry and the end of the "two guys in a trailer" DSP concept. [00:08:40] - Bill concludes by noting the risk of one bad actor making things difficult for the still-small, growing drone community. Follow the Guest Bill Daggett: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billddaggett/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #Drones #UAVExpo #DroneIndustry #DroneRegulations #EnterpriseDrones #DroneStrategy #CommercialUAV #BillDaggett

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this micro-podcast episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci is joined by his partner in life and business, Nicole Corder, the founder and CEO of Drone Ops USA, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. She warns against investing heavily in hardware and software that cannot be used due to a lack of proper strategy or policy. Programs should partner with experts for each link in the chain, with hardware being the final step. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Focus on "Drones for Good": The industry is doing a poor job of communicating with the general public about the positive uses of drones, which is an area of opportunity. Support US Manufacturing: Regulations and policy need to be streamlined to support American manufacturers and remain favorable for small businesses, not just large entities. Strategy Over Tools: When building an enterprise drone program, focus on strategy, policies, and outcomes first, and choose the drone/hardware last. Avoid Program Failure: Starting a program by investing in hardware before establishing proper policy and strategy can lead to the expensive equipment sitting unused. ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and a mention of the free Enterprise Drone Program Maturity assessment [00:01:55] - Nicole discusses the need for better public communication about "drones for good". [00:03:20] - Jason asks about the "second chance" the industry is getting and what enterprise programs should focus on first. [00:04:35] - Nicole advises focusing on drones and tools last, prioritizing strategy, policy, and desired outcomes first. [00:05:32] - Nicole provides a brief overview of Drone Ops USA's focus on strategy and strategic partnerships. Follow the Guest Nicole Corder: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolecorder/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast:  👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #drones #UAS #CommercialUAVExpo #DroneOpsUSA #EnterpriseDrones #DroneStrategy #Policy #USManufacturing #BVLOS

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this micro-podcast episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Robb Monkman, the Chief Marketing Officer of Teal. The interview, conducted live from the Commercial UAV Expo, focuses on what the drone industry is still getting wrong. Robb points out that connectivity is treated as an afterthought or an "invisible requirement" in the industry. He argues that for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, redundancy and failover are absolutely critical.  🔑 Key Takeaways: Connectivity is an Afterthought: The biggest mistake the drone industry is making is treating connectivity as an "invisible requirement" or an afterthought, rather than a critical element. BVLOS Requires Redundancy: For BVLOS operations, redundancy and failover across various networks (cellular, satellite, RF) are essential for mission success and maximum drone uptime. Strategic vs. Tools Focus: The industry still focuses too much on shiny equipment and components instead of thinking holistically about the actual outcomes required, which should dictate the tools used. FAA's Second Chance: The forthcoming BVLOS rule (NPRM) gives the industry a "second chance" to strategically integrate command and control (C2) capabilities like robust connectivity ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and the host, Jason San Souci, at the Commercial UAV Expo. [00:02:46] - Rob answers the main question: the industry is wrong to treat connectivity as an afterthought or an invisible requirement. [00:05:11] - The discussion frames the BVLOS proposed rule as a "second chance" for the industry to get strategic C2 elements right. [00:07:12] - Rob details Teal's role as the network orchestration piece, having the most network operator agreements for cellular failover. Follow the Guest Robb Monkman: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clubzline/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #drones #UAS #CommercialUAVExpo #Teal #BVLOS #Connectivity #DroneStrategy #UAV #C2

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this micro-podcast episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Stan Khlevner, the co-founder and CEO of Remote Optics, live from the Commercial UAV Expo. The central question for Stan is: "What is something that the drone industry today is doing wrong?" 🔑 Key Takeaways: The Industry Isn't Cohesive: The biggest mistake the drone industry makes is presenting itself as a single, cohesive entity. Drones are merely tools whose applications and growth vary significantly across different industries and use cases. Expertise is Segmented: The label "drone expert" is misleading because an individual who specializes in one area (like 3D modeling with LiDAR) may know nothing about other segments (like forestry management or public safety). Early Stage of Growth: The industry is estimated to be at only about 5% of its overall capability and capacity. Part 107 regulations are less than ten years old. Lack of Strategic Planning: Many enterprise drone programs fail because they focus on buying a drone or a specific component without a defined outcome or a strategic roadmap. ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to uncrewed aerial systems (drones) as a disruptive technology and a brief mention of the Enterprise Drone Program Maturity assessment. [00:02:49] - Stan discusses the problem of public perception and the incorrect lumping together of diverse drone use cases, stressing that expertise is segmented. [00:06:03] - The conversation focuses on program failure due to a lack of roadmap and strategic focus, noting the failure of multi-million dollar VC-backed companies. [00:08:47] - Stan agrees with the "5% reality" as the industry stands on the precipice of a "blue ocean" of opportunities. Follow the Guest Stan Khlevner:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khlevner/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #drones #UAS #CommercialUAVExpo #RemoteOptics #DroneStrategy #EnterpriseDrones #DroneExpertise #UAV #Technology

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this micro episode of the "Do You Know Drones", host Jason San Souci is live from the Commercial UAV Expo in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, where he interviews Kaitlyn Albertoli, the co-founder and CEO of Buzz Solutions. Introduced as a visionary in the AI space who has been critically impacting critical infrastructure inspections for electric utilities for eight years, Caitlin is asked one crucial question: "What is something that the drone industry is getting wrong?" 🔑 Key Takeaways: Caitlin Albertolli, co-founder and CEO of Buzz Solutions, is a visionary in the AI space for critical infrastructure inspections. The biggest flaw in the drone industry is that utility companies are not thinking enough about the outcome and what to do with the collected data. Some organizations are collecting 100,000 images a month, but have nothing with the data for years, only now starting to think about AI. Before AI, focusing on data orchestration, GIS strategy, and achieving quick wins - like using drones to update asset locations - is essential. ⌛ Timestamps: [00:01:22] - Introduction of Kaitlyn Albertoli and her eight years of experience in AI for critical infrastructure. [00:02:42] - Kaitlyn's answer: Utilities aren't thinking enough about the outcome of the data, referencing a utility collecting 100,000 images a month that has done nothing with it. [00:04:33] - Discussion on how organizations are often getting blinded by "shiny objects" and need to focus on the outcome at the right time in their journey. [00:06:00] - Kaitlyn stresses the importance of data orchestration, checking the GIS database, and achieving quick wins before deep AI analysis. Follow the Guest Kaitlyn Albertoli:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-claire-albertoli/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/ 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast:  👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #drones #CommercialUAVExpo #AI #electricutilities #infrastructureinspection #BuzzSolutions #dataanalysis #GIS #unmannedsystems

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Scott Harrigan, the owner of Harris Aerial, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conversation focuses on a key mistake the drone industry is making: building drones for "drone nerds" rather than for the end-users they are meant to serve. Scott, with his background as a mechanical engineer at a civil firm, explains that drones are just one of many tools in a workflow, like mapping or surveying. He argues that companies often fail by trying to build a single drone for multiple, disparate applications, such as for both firefighters and surveyors, when the needs for each are completely different. The industry needs to focus on creating simpler, more precise tools that fit into an existing workflow instead of forcing a workflow to change for the drone. 🔑 Key Takeaways: The drone industry's main mistake is building drones for other "drone nerds" instead of making them user-friendly tools for specific professionals like surveyors. The conversation emphasizes that a drone should be viewed as a tool, or a "hammer," within a larger workflow, not the central component of a program. Companies that try to make one drone for many different use cases (e.g., both fire/police and surveying) are failing because the requirements for each are contradictory. The industry is still "chasing a lot of shiny things" rather than focusing on strategic, practical solutions. ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and the host, Jason San Souci, at the Commercial UAV Expo. [00:01:03] - Introduction of the guest, Scott Harrigan, owner of Harris Aerial. [00:02:12] - Scott answers the question about what the drone industry is getting wrong, stating that they build drones for "drone nerds". [00:02:45] - Scott explains that a drone is just one of many tools in a workflow. [00:03:27] - The conversation touches on how it's no longer enough to just say "we do X with drones" to attract investors; practical questions about cost and functionality are now more important. [00:04:15] - Jason reinforces Scott's point with a house-building analogy, where the drone is just a "hammer". Follow the Guest Scott Harrigan: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottharriganmapping/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast:  👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #drones #CommercialUAVExpo #ScottHarrigan #HarrisAerial #UAS #dronetechnology #businessstrategy #dronenerds #dronesasools

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Nate Ernst, the founder and CEO of The Tachyon Group, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conversation addresses a critical issue the drone industry has faced for over 15 years: scaling based on a false narrative about regulatory progress. Ernst points out that companies built their brands on the incorrect assumption that regulations like Part 108 would arrive within six months, leading to consolidation and bankruptcies. With Part 108 finally here, the industry has a "second chance to get it right" by providing comments to the FAA to help shape the final rule and enable correct scaling. 🔑 Key Takeaways: The interview is a live micro-episode recorded from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The primary mistake the drone industry made was scaling based on the false narrative that beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) regulations would be approved in six months. This led to many companies building their brands and seeking large investments on a promise that didn't materialize, resulting in significant industry attrition and bankruptcies. With the proposed Part 108 rule for BVLOS now official, the industry has a second chance to "fix" past mistakes by providing comments to the FAA. The host and guest emphasize that everyone in the industry should provide personalized comments to the FAA to help shape the "Holy Grail of Part 108". ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and the host, Jason San Souci, at the Commercial UAV Expo. [00:01:12] - Introduction of the guest, Nate Ernst, founder and CEO of The Tachyon Group. [00:01:54] - Jason asks Nate the one question: what the drone industry is getting wrong. [00:02:12] - Nate explains the mistake of scaling on a false narrative about future regulations. [00:03:30] - Nate describes the consequences of this mistake, including bankruptcies and consolidation, and highlights the opportunity to get it right with Part 108. [00:05:36] - Nate calls this "the industry's second chance to get it right". [00:05:51] - Nate stresses the importance of commenting on Part 108. [00:06:40] - Jason advises listeners to personalize their comments and tell their own story. Follow the Guest Nate Ernst: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanernst/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast:  👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #drones #CommercialUAVExpo #NateErnst #TheTachyonGroup #UAS #Part108 #FAARegulations #droneindustry

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Dan Fuller, the founder of Clarify Consulting, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conversation addresses a common pitfall for companies in the drone industry: trying to be a "jack of all trades". Fuller advises that companies should instead focus on a specific market or unique selling point to become the best in that area before expanding their portfolio. 🔑 Key Takeaways: The interview takes place live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. A common problem in the drone industry is that companies try to be a "jack of all trades" instead of focusing on a niche. Fuller recommends that companies identify their unique selling point and focus on a specific market, such as oil and gas inspection, to stand out and grow successfully. ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and the host, Jason San Souci, at the Commercial UAV Expo. [00:01:12] - Introduction of the guest, Dan Fuller, founder of Clarify Consulting. [00:02:15] - Fuller explains the problem with companies trying to be a "jack of all trades". [00:02:45] - Fuller advises that companies should become the best at one thing before expanding. Follow the Guest Dan Fuller: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldfuller/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast:  👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #drones #CommercialUAVExpo #DanFuller #ClarifyConsulting #UAS #innovation #dronetechnology #businessstrategy

Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program. Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale. Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment ————————————— In this episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Nitin Gupta, the CEO of FlytBase, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conversation centers on the disruptive nature of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and the rapid integration of AI and autonomy into the industry. Gupta addresses concerns about workforce replacement, arguing that jobs will change and that upskilling is essential. He highlights the need for new structured programs and playbooks to help people learn how to use AI with their drone programs, as these resources do not yet exist. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are a disruptive technology that is reshaping industries worldwide. The conversation took place live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gupta believes that while jobs will change, fears of AI replacing the drone workforce are unfounded. Upskilling the workforce is critical for the future of the drone industry. There is a current need for structured programs and playbooks to teach people how to use AI for their drone programs because they don't exist yet. ⌛ Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and the host, Jason San Souci, at the Commercial UAV Expo. [00:01:04] - Introduction of the guest, Nitin Gupta, CEO of FlytBase. [00:04:20] - A discussion about how autonomy and AI fit into the scaling drone industry. [00:05:10] - Nitin Gupta discusses why concerns about workforce replacement are unfounded and the importance of upskilling. Follow the Guest Nitin Gupta: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin7gupta/ Follow the Host Jason San Souci: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/ 🔗 More from Do You Know Drones: 👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: [email protected] Follow the Podcast:  👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones #drones #CommercialUAVExpo #AI #autonomy #dronetechnology #innovation #NitinGupta #JasonSanSouci #upskilling