Today, we’re talking about the exciting world of flight logbooks. 

On the surface, there’s nothing exciting about logging data, but what if there was a way where all of that mundane work could be automated and all you have to do is show up and fly.  It may not be that simple, but as today’s guest on the Drone Radio Show points out, there is now a platform that could make your drone administration and FAA compliance a whole lot easier.

Eric Kubicka is a Sen­ior Partner of Drone Logbook, a software company that provides a cloud based platform to manage flights, documentation, incidents, maintenance and inventory. Their system enables commercial UAV companies to comply with regulatory requirements and manage operations.  He’s here to talk about Drone Logbook, the ways in which the platform can streamline the compliance process and how the UAV administrators can better manage their service.

Before we hear from Eric, Tim Trott, a commercial pilot and drone pilot and a certified instructor gives us a pilot’s perspective of why drone logbooks are important.  Tim has authored two books, “The Droner’s Guide: From Beginner to Professional” and “UAS Operations:  Preparing to meet the anticipated FAA knowledge test requirements for UAS Operations and/or Pilot UAS Rating”.  

On May 2-5, the Association of Unmanned Vehicles Systems (AUVSI) sponsored, Xponential 2016, the world’s largest the largest commercial UAS trade show in the world.  This year’s show, held in New Orleans, featured more than 600 exhibitors and was attended by more than 6,000 people. 

On this episode of the Drone Radio Show, we travel to the main expo hall to hear some of the major announcements made during the show, learn about new products, explore the economic opportunities created by the technology and we’ll celebrate the 50th show of the Drone Radio Show podcast.

Looking for the WOW Factor when promoting your message?

Imagine you’re sitting at an outdoor event and you’re ready to pop the big question to your fiancée.  You see a drone in the distance, approaching the event.  The drone nears, slows and moves into your direction.  It hovers above you and your loved one.  The crowd stares up.  You enter a code into your phone.  The drone lights up and projects an image of you and your fiancée onto a large screen with the message, “Will You Marry Me?”.  The crowd bursts into cheers and applause, your fiancée melts into your arms and the drone flies away.  That’s a Wow experience.

James Ashley is the CEO and Founder of Green Drone advertising, a guerrilla advertising agency specializing in green marketing that uses drones and other technology in a creative way to gain exposure for clients.  On this edition of the Drone Radio Show, he talks about Green Drone, sustainable advertising, and how drone technology can be used to create a message that Wow’s customers and friends.

Do you think you can design a drone?

Airbus Group and Local Motors have teamed up to issue a design challenge to the public: help create a drone that will delivery urgent medical and emergency supplies to remote, hard-to-reach areas. Win the challenge and the winners will receive $50,000 and a trip to the Farnborough Airshow in England.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Alex Palmer and Matt Jackson of Local Motors talk about the Airbus Cargo Drone Challenge, how you can enter and compete for the $50,000 prize and the innovative co-creating process used to accelerate product design. If you’re an engineer, designer or someone that loves the creative process, then you’ll going to like this story.

I attended the April 11-14 Drone Dealer Expo, a 3-day event for drone dealers, held in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together drone manufactures, distributors, dealers and resellers to learn about new products and selling opportunities.  In this podcast, I provide a summary of the first day’s activities, which focused on what dealer’s should know about the marketplace, a regulatory update and some marketing opportunities.

Do you want to be a Commercial Drone Videographer?

Then you’re going to want to listen close to what today’s guest on the Drone Radio Showhas to say

John Deans has spent more than three decades in the IT industry and has alst been a private pilot. In 1999 he founded a rural computer consulting business. In 2014, he decided to merge his technology skills with his love for flying and launched his new business, Central Texas Drones. Now, after achieving success as a videographer, John has written a book, called “Become a U.S. Commercial Drone Pilot." On this episode of the Drone Radio Show, John talks about his book, how he developed a successful aerial videography business and how drones can make us money too.

On May 2, more than 8,000 drone industry leaders will converge in New Orleans for Xponential 2016, the #1 show for the unmanned systems market.  The show will feature more than 180 speakers, 335 educational sessions and 25 focused tracks to ensure you’ll find cutting-edge education on the topics you consider the highest priority.  In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, rian Wynne, President and CEO of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International talks about Xponential 2016 and why we should be at this year’s show.

How much do you really know about the drone industry?

For many of us who have only been in the industry for a few years, that answer is all too often … not a whole lot.  Fortunately, there are individuals that have been working with unmanned systems for years. The historical perspectives and knowledge that these individuals have is extremely valuable, particularly to anyone thinking about creating a drone based business.

Today's guest on the Drone Radio Show is Patrick Egan, the editor of the Americas Desk at sUAS News and host and Executive Producer of sUAS News Podcast Series, Drone TV and the Small Unmanned Systems Business Expo.  His field experience includes assignments with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Battle Lab investigating solutions on future warfare research projects. He was Instructor for LTA (Lighter Than Air) ISR systems deployment teams for a OSD, U.S. Special Operations Command, Special Surveillance Project.  He has built and operated commercial RPA prior to 2007 FAA policy clarification. On the airspace integration side, he serves as director of special programs for the RCAPA (Remote Control Aerial Photography Association) and has collaborated with a variety of industry groups and the FAA on a variety of airspace integration issues.  In this podcast, Patrick takes us on a deeper dive of the drone regulatory issues, exploring some of the issues that don’t always make on the web or in the news stories.

What's it like to fly a racing drone?

Another in a series of podcasts on drone racing, this episode looks at it from the perspective of the pilot.

Paul Baur is a UAS Consultant and a competitive drone pilot.  He’s been racing for more than a year, competing in organized drone races in the United States and Canada.  On this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Paul talks about how he got started with drone racing, the advantages of having sponsors, what it’s like to race a drone competitively and what it takes to stay on top in this rapidly growing sport.  If you have dreams of serious drone racing, then you’re going to want to hear what Paul has to say. 

This is a special, bonus edition of the Drone Radio Show.  Recently, I interviewed Patrick Egan of the sUAS News about drones and some regulatory challenges.  This interview will air in the coming weeks.  But near the end of our conversation, Patrick talked about an upcoming Small Unmanned Systems Business Expo, or the SUSB Expo.  This will be a great forum to learn about drone business opportunities and to meet some of the leaders in the industry.

In this bonus edition of the Drone Radio Show podcast, Patrick tells us what the expo is about and why you should attend.

Is Drone Racing ready for Live TV?

If you ask today’s guest, he’d say he’s doing everything possible to make it happen.

Chris Toombs is founder and technology manager at FPVLive.TV, a start-up company specializing in live streaming of drone races. On this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Chris talks about FPVLive.TV and the services it offers to local race organizers.

Over the past few months, Drone Racing has emerged as a legitimate business. In fact, it’s getting big enough to spin-off sub-industries. And one of those opportunities is live streaming of drone races. If we follow the path of other new sports, it won’t be long before drone racing pops up on our weekend TV screens. So today, not only are we hearing about an exciting drone application, this could be the start of a competitive new industry.

Want to help scientist monitor the impacts of climate change?

If you’re in California, then you have a unique opportunity to do just that. Kirk Klausmeyer, a senior conservation analyst with the Nature Conservancy in California. He’s leading a citizen-scientist initiative using cell phones and drones to document California’s coastal flooding conditions. The ultimate objective is to measure the impacts of climate change and sea level rise and develop measures to reduce future impacts.  In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Kirk talks about the Nature Conservancy, the Phone and Drones Program and other technology applications helping planners monitor climate change.

This is a special bonus edition of the Drone Radio Show podcast to highlight a unique drone racing event that is occurring as this podcast airs. Halfway across the world, more than 100 drone racing teams from all over the world are competing in the first World Drone Prix race in Dubai. Thirty-two qualifying teams will compete for the global champion’s purse of total prizes of one million dollars – the biggest purse of its kind to date.

In this episode, we hear from Omar Al Olama, Secretary General of the World Organization of Racing Drones in Dubai, who will tell us about the Drone Grand Prix and how drone racing is about to become a new world racing spectacle.

Are you ready to race your drone?

Then you’re going to like what today’s guest on the Drone Radio Show has to say, because chances are, he may soon be responsible for creating a drone race club in your community.

Chris Thomas is the founder of MultiGP, a grassroots racing organization with a mission to make FPV multirotor racing a real sport. With nearly 300 active chapters worldwide, MultiGP provides the rules, equipment, and software for FPV racing. He’s here to talk about the MultiGP League, why it’s different from other drone racing formats and how we can be a part of one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

How are we integrating UAS into the National Air Space?

In 2014, after a rigorous 10-month selection process involving 25 proposals from 24 states, the Federal Aviation Administration selected six UAS research and test sites across the country. One of those test sites is the Mid Atlantic Aviation Partnership, or MAAP for short, and includes the States of Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.  Research in the three states will include a variety of activities designed to facilitate the integration of UAS into the national airspace.

Rose Mooney, the Executive Director of MAAP, did her graduate work at Liberty University and is a former Director of UAS Airspace Integration at AAI/Textron. She was also the Vice President of Archangel Aero and the President of the Unmanned National Industry Team which represented the UAS in the US and Internationally.  On this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Rose talks about the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership and how their research is helping to integrate UAS into the national air space.

Are you wondering what it takes to develop your passion around drones?

Then today’s guest on the Drone Radio Show has some exciting insights for you. Desiree (Desi) Ekstein is a drone enthusiast from Lake Elsinore, California. She’s been flying drones for four years. Her hobby has evolved into a part-time business and an educational outreach to young people. If you think mastering the world of drones is difficult, then you’ll want to listen to Desi’s story and find out just how easy it can be - if you take things one step at a time, reach out to the many helpful people in the drone community, and let your imagination fly.

How far are we from having drones that will do our heavy work for us?

If you’d ask today’s guest on the Drone Radio Show, he’d say it’s already here.  Bob Dalhstrom is CEO and Founder of Appelix, an company that serves industrial workplaces that are doing dangerous dirty jobs.  His company has developed a prototype of an semi-autonomous drone for industrial painting applications.  In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Bob talk about Appelix, his Worker Bee Industrial Drone and the opportunities afforded through robotics.

Do you know what’s about to become the newest and most exciting entertainment sport on the planet? 

If you're thinking Drone Racing, then you’d be partially correct, because what the team at the Drone Racing League is doing can only be described as drone racing on steroids.

This week's guests on the Drone Radio Show are Nick Horbaczewski, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Drone Racing League, Inc and  Ryan Gury, Director of Product at The Drone Racing League.  They part of a creative and innovative team that is forming a new sport around drone racing.  The Drone Racing League is a sports and media company that combines world-class pilots, iconic locations and proprietary technology to create engaging drone racing content with mass appeal  In 2016, the league will host a global race series culminating in a World Championship.  In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Nick and Ryan here talk about the Drone Racing League, why it’s so different from other drone racing events and how they’re about to create a whole new entertainment sport

Looking for accurate, actionable data on the drone industry to base your business decisions?

Then you’re going to want to listen to today’s guest.

Colin Snow is CEO and Founder of Drone Analyst Research and Advisors, a consulting firm for the commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry. Colin is a 25 year technology industry veteran with a background in market research, enterprise software, electronics, digital imaging, and mobility. His experience includes aerial photography as well as making, programming, and piloting remote control aircraft. Colin holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University and is a member of all major UAS industry groups 

On this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Colin talks about the trends in the drone industry, the services available through Drone Analyst and what we might see in the future as commercialization of the drone industry continues.

Looking for a simpler, easier way to pilot your drone and save time and money?

Then today’s guest on the Drone Radio Show has exactly what you need. Ian Smith is with Drone Deploy out of San Francisco and handles their sales and marketing management for the company. Ian has more than 9 years’ experience in the drone industry, some of that with a company in France. His personal, business and international experience gives him a unique perspective on the drone industry. On this edition of the Drone Radio Show, he talks about Drone Deploy, the company’s products designed to improve your bottom line (ROI) and offer his perspective on the drone industry.

What do commercial drone users want and how will this propel the next wave of industry growth?

We explore these questions and what means to you on this episode of the Drone Radio Show. My guest on this edition of the Drone Radio Show is Gretchen West, Senior Advisor at Hogan Lovells and a member of the firm’s Global Unmanned Aircraft Systems Group. She has served the unmanned systems industry over a decade. Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Gretchen was at San Francisco start-up DroneDeploy serving as the company’s Vice President of Business Development and Regulatory Affairs. And previously, for over a decade, Gretchen served as AUVSI’s Executive Vice President, overseeing the organization’s global business development initiatives and government relations efforts for the unmanned systems and robotics industry.

There’s no better qualified person to speak on the commercial opportunities in the drone industry. In this episode, Gretchen talks about the issues facing the drone industry today, where things are headed and how Hogan Lovells and the drone industry is coming together to better serve drone users and their ROI.

As the popularity of drones increases, so do the legal questions surrounding their use. From privacy, liability and FAA regulations, commercial drone operators need to understand the legal lay of the land.

On this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Phil Stiles, an attorney specializing in drone law and the co-founder, President and General Counsel of an FAA approved drone company named SkyViewHD, talks about the legal issues that commercial drone operators should consider as they develop their drone based business. A must-hear podcast for anyone thinking about a commercial drone enterprise.

Ever wonder about using a drone to conduct an inspection?  In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, we'll explore this topic with Bob Johnson, Senior Vice President of Solusia Air, a national company specializing in UAS quality audits and inspections.  Bob has over 30 years of experience with corporate and start-up technology companies in business development. He has been associated with disruptive and over-the-top technologies within the telecom, wireless, railroad, utilities and predictive analytics sectors.   In this episode, Bob talks about inspections and data gathering in the infrastructure sector using drones, as well as the opportunities for people seeking careers in this challenging field.

Do you need drone insurance?

We explore this question on this episode of the Drone Radio Show with Grant Goldsmith president of Overwatch a division of Avalon Risk Management Company.  Overwatch specializes in high risk insurance for the U.S. government, United Nations, NATO and international commercial contractors working globally.  The company also provides insurance for the commercial drone industry.  Grant has more than 20 years of insurance and transportation experience.  He talks about the benefits of drone insurance and why commercial operators might want to think about adding coverage to protect their business.

With an expected 750,000 (or more) drones being purchased for this Christmas season, there is sure to be a large number of people wondering where they can fly their drone and what they need to know if they’re starting a drone based business. 

Tom McMahon is the Vice President of Advocacy and Public Affairs for the Association of Unmanned Vehicles Systems International. AUVSI is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics community.  In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Tom talks about what commercial drone operators need to know before they fly a commercial drone.  If you recently purchased or received a drone and you’re thinking about starting a drone based business, then what Tom has to say is critical to ensure your business operates safely and within the guidelines of the FAA.