When we look back at the drone industry in 2018, what will we say?
Well actually, to answer that question, all we have to do, is listen back to what my many had to say. 2018 was a year of innovation, progress, change, optimism and challenge – as the industry continued to mature and evolve. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, I compiled short snippets from nearly 50 of my guests on their thoughts on the drone industry, on creating value and on building a drone based business. So as the year comes to a close, let’s sit back and hear from some of the leaders of drone industry.
What did we learn in 2018 about where the drone industry is headed?
For that question, we turn to Colin Snow, CEO and Founder of Skylogic Research, LLC (also known as Drone Analyst®). Skylogic Research is a research, content and advisory services firm providing research-based insights on commercial drone market segments. Its mission is to help companies make critical investment decisions with confidence. 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. He holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University, is a member of all major UAS industry groups including both AUVSI and AMA, and also holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Colin talks about the forces that shaped the drone industry in 2018 and what we might expect in 2019. There’s no better person from which to gain insights into the drone industry than Colin Snow.
Can the drone industry be a source of new jobs for rural America?
Today’s guest believes they can. Dr. Tulinda Larsen is Executive Director of Deseret UAS, a Utah nonprofit created to promote economic development through reserach and testing of unmanned aerial systems. Tulinda has more than 40 years experience as an aviation economist. She’s an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Embry Riddle Aernautical University. Her books, The Drone Hobbyist and a Trustworthy Drone Business are top sellers on Amazon. Tulinda is also a Part 107 Remote Pilot and a private pilot. In 2016, she turned her research from the commercial aviation industry to the developing drone industry. In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Tulinda talks about efforts to bring new UAS jobs to rural Utah and discusses the opportunities and challenges of stimulating economic development through the drone industry.
What do you do when the Drone Industry gives you lemons?
If you ask today’s guests, they would say "find a way to make lemonade." Steven Flynn and his wife Susan Talbot are the owners of Sky Tango, a global drone services marketplace, providing job booking, support and aerial footage sales worldwide. Their story mirrors many entering the drone industry – a great idea, a start-up and a journey into the unknown.
With a combined 40 years experience in Film and Television production, in 2012 Susan and Steve set out to create a successful drone videography business They were one of the first commercially licensed remote aerial filming companies in Ireland. In 2015, they launched the SkyTango marketplace, and soon after, they were connected with investors and potential major partners. Things looked promising, but in early 2018, the wheels started to come off, and Susan and Steve were forced to walk away from a major deal that just a few months earlier, looked so promising.
Like many other successful entrepreneurs, Susan and Steve reevaluated their business model, applied what they had learned and launched a new service. In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, Susan and Steve talk about the challenges of creating their drone start-up, why they chose to walk away from a big deal and how that experience helped them redefine their company’s focus.