This month marks UAV Coach’s 10th anniversary.

To celebrate the anniversary, we’ve released a newly updated Drone Pilot Ground School, our test prep course for the FAA’s Part 107 exam.

We’ve completely reimagined the course with:

• Brand new videos
• Virtual flashcards
• Personalized study plans
• Spanish subtitles

And a lot more, which we’ll cover below in this article.

To celebrate the new version of the course, we’re offering $100 off thru August 14th.

Sign up now to get the discount.

Celebrating Ten Years by Doubling Down on Our Commitment to Drone Pilots

When UAV Coach first started in 2014, the FAA’s Part 107 certification didn’t exist. From 2014 to 2016, the only way to operate drones commercially was to obtain a Part 333 exemption.

In 2016, the FAA released the Part 107 rules.

On the same day the rules came out we launched Drone Pilot Ground School, our online test prep course to help drone pilots pass the Part 107 test.

Since then, we’ve trained over 65,000 drone pilots to become Part 107 certified. Our students have over a 99% pass rate on the test, and we’re trusted by nationally recognized organizations like Tesla, the NYPD, and NBC Universal to train their pilots.The journey to get to this point has been incredible. And all of our success has come from you, our students.

That’s why we wanted to celebrate UAV Coach’s 10th anniversary by creating a completely up-to-date version of Drone Pilot Ground School.

[Want to see what the course looks like? See inside one of our lessons!]

The original course was made in 2016, just before the FAA released the Part 107 rules.

After a few years, we felt like we could do better. So we completely redid Drone Pilot Ground School, reshooting videos, creating new lessons to address notes from our students, and making the learning experience more seamless.

Now, we created a completely new, up-to-date version of Drone Pilot Ground School to provide the very best resources for our students—keep reading to learn more about the updates we made.

What’s New in Drone Pilot Ground School

Here’s a closer look at the updates we made in the new version of Drone Pilot Ground School.

NEW Most Updated Industry Content

We guarantee that you will be getting access to the industry’s most up-to-date content so that you can have confidence in passing the FAA exam.

Our videos are NEW as of July 2024, no outdated videos here!

Here’s a look inside the new course:

NEW Personalized Study Plans

Complete the course in one week or spread it out over the course of two weeks or one month. With our study plans, you’ll be able to pace your training to your ideal completion time.

NEW Virtual Flash Cards

Our course now includes digital flash cards to provide even more study tools to help you pass the exam the first time. Guaranteed.

NEW Spanish Subtitles

Although you need to be able to read, speak, write, and understand English to become a certified drone pilot; we now offer Spanish subtitles for more accessible learning.

Ready to become a commercial drone pilot?

Get $100 off the newly updated Drone Pilot Ground School now.

The post Want to Become Part 107 Certified? Get $100 Off Our Newly Updated Test Prep Course, Drone Pilot Ground School appeared first on UAV Coach.

But it’s true—Commercial UAV Expo 2024 is less than two months away!

And this year’s a big one, with the conference celebrating its 10th year, which is practically a century in the fast-moving world of drone technology.

After the drone conference shakeup that happened during COVID, Commercial UAV Expo has emerged as the clear front runner in the world of drone events. These days, it’s one of the biggest, best U.S. commercial drone conferences you can find.

Every year we start getting excited around now because we know the conference is coming up.

In this post, we’re going to share all the reasons we’re excited for Commercial UAV Expo 2024. If you’re on the fence about attending, this post may help you make a decision. And if you already know you’re going, we hope this post will serve to get you pumped.

When and Where Is Commercial UAV Expo 2024?

As it has been for several years, the conference will be held at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV. The dates this year are September 3 to 5.

Right now you can get early bird pricing for $300 off. This deal is good until July 19.

Learn more about attending, or keep reading for our nine reasons to attend.

9 Reasons to Attend Commercial UAV Expo 2024

Here are the reasons we’re getting excited for the conference this year.

1. Best-in-Class Technology

The exhibition hall is always one of the best parts of any tech-focused conference. And the hall at Commercial UAV Expo is a standout, because all the heavy hitters in the drone industry are there.

This year, the expo will feature over 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest in commercial UAS technology.

The Elios 3 in flight inside a trailer at Commercial UAV Expo 2022

And if this year is like the last few, you can even fly Flyability’s Elios 3 on the exhibition floor—because they bring in a trailer where they literally let you fly right at the booth. That’s pretty cool.

2. Vertical-Specific Drone Deep Dives

Want to learn more about a specific section of the drone industry? Or learn a little about a lot of different commercial drone applications?

Whether you want to go deep on one application or just get a lay of the land for how drones are being used in work, Commercial UAV Expo is a great place to learn.

The conference program this year will offer talks in five key drone verticals:

• Construction
• Drone Pilot Program
• Energy and Utilities
• Infrastructure and Transportation
• Policy

View the full 2024 conference program.

3. Innovative Hydrogen Track

In addition to the five core tracks above, this year there will again be a track put on by the HYSKY Society.

This event does cost extra. But it’s a really unique offering. The HYSKY Society Hydrogen Aviation Course brings together all pieces of the hydrogen aviation ecosystem: hydrogen production, hydrogen logistics, hydrogen infrastructure, hydrogen fuel cells, and engines, and hydrogen aircraft.

The course offers participants the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about the latest advancements, technologies, and applications in the field of hydrogen aviation, designed to provide a solid foundation for understanding the principles, challenges, and opportunities associated with hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Learn more about the HYSKY Course.

4. The Keynotes

Commercial UAV Expo 2024 brings in top talent to speak every year, and this year’s shaping up to be no different.

Keynotes are a great opportunity to get personal perspectives from the top thought leaders, visionaries, and innovators in commercial drones operations.

Hear from industry experts about where the drone industry is headed from a regulatory perspective, how AI is impacting drone operations right now, and more.

5. Special Workshops and Events

Every year, Commercial UAV Expo puts on special events in addition to the main lineup of talks and panels.

Here are this year’s top workshops and events:

• Photogrammetric Mapping with UAS—led by ASPRS.
• LiDAR Mapping with UAS—led by ASPRS.
• From Air to Ground: Comprehensive Lidar Mapping Solutions—led by GeoCUE.
• Transforming UAVs into Real-World Mapping and Surveying Solutions—led by Trimble.
• From Drone Data to Survey Deliverable—led by Virtual Surveyor.

Learn more about special workshops and events at the 2024 conference.

6. Almost 4,000 Attendees Anticipated

Last year about 3,750 people attended Commercial UAV Expo. And this year the number may be even higher, if you can believe it.

Pulling people in from over 70 different countries, the event will truly be a global meeting place for all things drone-related.

7. The DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit

Presented by AIRT, the Public Safety Summit is a co-located event that takes place over two days during Commercial UAV Expo.

Credit: DRONERESPONDERS

The Summit features programming designed to educate and prepare first responder UAS program managers and remote pilots at every experience level for public safety UAS operations.

If you work for a public safety agency and have been wanting to get up to speed with how to use drones, this event is a great opportunity to jump start your knowledge for using drones in your work.

Learn more about the Summit here.

8. Networking

Attendees at Commercial UAV Expo this year include people from top drone-related companies, government agencies, and some of the biggest companies in the world.

Where else can you rub shoulders with thousands of people who work with drones?

If you’re looking for work, to hire a drone pilot, to partner with another drone hardware or software company, or just to grow the list of contacts you have in the drone industry, Commercial UAV Expo is a great place to do it.

9. Live Outdoor Flying Demonstrations

Want to see the latest drone technology on display—not just in an exhibit hall, but actually in the air? Commercial UAV Expo’s live demos are the place to do it.

Here’s what Commercial UAV Expo has to say about this year’s live demos:

Leading vendors will demonstrate a range of drone applications. Not only will airframe and sensor capabilities be showcased, but a sophisticated AV set up will allow users to view resulting data sets and processing solutions for the full end-to-end view of the technology. Drone experts will be on-hand to narrate live scenarios and field questions from the audience.

Here are the companies participating in the live demos this year:

• Autel Robotics
• Event 38 Unmanned Systems
• Frontier Precision Unmanned
• ideaForge
• Skyfish

Learn more about this year’s live demos.

Want to Attend Commercial UAV Expo 2024?

Take advantage of early bird pricing, which gets you $300 off from now until July 19. Register here.

Hope to see you there!

The post 9 Reasons to Attend Commercial UAV Expo 2024 appeared first on UAV Coach.

There are dozens of ways you can make money flying a drone these days. And more and more drone pilots are going into business for themselves, either as a side hustle or as a full-time gig.

In this in-depth guide to drone businesses, we cover the basics for getting your drone business started, including a step-by-step guide that covers everything you need to know.

We also have a list of 36 drone business ideas to help you come up with ways to make money with your drone.

Here’s a menu in case you’d like to jump around:

• How Much Can You Make Running a Drone Business?
• Drone Business Startup Costs
• How to Start a Drone Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
• The Top 7 Most Profitable Drone Business Ideas
• 29 More Drone Business Ideas

How Much Can You Make Running a Drone Business?

On average, commercial drone pilots working full time can make between $50,000 to $100,000 annually.

The profitability of a drone business can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

• The niche you choose.
• The location where you work.
• The level of skill and certification you’ve achieved as a drone pilot.

Image source

In some specialized fields, you can make a lot more than $50-$100K a year. Three of the most lucrative areas to be a drone pilot right now are aerial mapping, cinematography, and industrial inspections.

You’ll notice right away that each of these requires skills beyond just flying a drone.

For aerial mapping, you need to have a good sense of how to do mapping and how to use mapping software. For cinematography, you’ll need to understand how a drone pilot’s work fits into the fast-moving schedule of a TV or movie production, and how to actually get the aerial shots a director wants. And for industrial inspections you’ll probably need some basic understanding of how inspections work, or at least an internal contact in a company that does inspections.

Among these three, aerial mapping is probably the easiest to get into. Why? Because you don’t necessarily need strong contacts who are already doing the work to find clients.

If you can hone your mapping skills and start offering solid services, you have a good chance of building a client base.

[Want to offer drone mapping? Learn more about our online aerial mapping course, Drone Mapping Essentials.]

Key Factors Influencing Drone Pilot Income

1. The Niche You Choose

Specialized services can command higher fees.

For example, agricultural surveying and real estate drone photography can be highly profitable due to the unique value they provide.

In agriculture, drone pilots can perform tasks such as crop monitoring and health assessment, which are crucial for maximizing yields. This can lead to substantial earnings, with some operators charging $150 an hour or more for their services.

In real estate, realtors can use drone photography and videography to create compelling property listings that can significantly enhance the marketability of homes. Drone pilots in this niche can charge between $200 and $400 per project, and sometimes a lot more, depending on the complexity,location, and quality of their work.

2. The Location Where You Work

The geographic area where you operate your drone plays a crucial role in determining potential earnings.

Urban areas or regions with high economic activity typically offer more opportunities for drone services and, consequently, higher rates. For example, drone operators in metropolitan areas like New York or San Francisco can charge premium rates for services due to the high demand for aerial footage in real estate, construction, and media industries.

In contrast, operators in rural or less economically vibrant areas may find fewer opportunities and lower rates for their services. However, niches like agricultural surveying may still be lucrative in these regions.

3. The Level of Skill and Certification You’ve Achieved

Having advanced certifications and extensive experience can help you make more as a drone pilot—sometimes a lot more.

To start, any drone pilot doing work should have a Part 107 certificate. This is required for commercial drone work, and most clients know to ask about this these days.

But getting certifications in actual piloting skills—and, beyond that, actually doing lots of the work you become certified in—can also help you land profitable clients.

Specialized training in areas like thermal imaging or GIS (Geographic Information Systems) can open up higher-paying opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure inspections and environmental monitoring. And drone pilots with these advanced skills can earn $150 to $300 per hour or more.

[Related read: Can You Shoot Down a Drone Over Your Property? And What Do You Do If Someone Shoots at Your Drone?]

Additional Factors that Impact Drone Business Income

Here are some other things to think about when it comes to how much you can make running a drone business:

• Diversity of services. A drone business that provides multiple services, such as aerial photography, surveying, and drone mapping, can attract a broader client base and increase their revenue streams. But be careful—offering too many types of services can stretch you thin, and may be a red flag to potential clients that you’re not actually an expert in the services you’re selling.
• Project-based earnings.Many drone businesses operate on a project basis, which can vary widely in terms of complexity and compensation. Simple aerial photography gigs for real estate might pay $200 to $500 per job, while more complex industrial inspections or land surveys can bring in several thousand dollars per project.
• Long-term contracts. Companies in construction, agriculture, or utilities often require ongoing drone services for monitoring and inspections—if you can get long-term contracts in areas that require repeat service, you can get steady income and financial stability.

Drone Business Startup Costs

Starting a drone business can be expensive, especially if you’re starting from scratch.

But how much exactly do you need to get started?

We’ve broken drone business startup costs into three tiers to help you see what it will cost depending on your budget. Each tier includes detailed cost estimates for essential items in starting a drone business, including things like drone hardware, software, training, insurance, and marketing.

1. Lean Drone Business Startup Costs

A lean startup approach is ideal for those looking to enter the market with minimal upfront investment. This tier focuses on basic equipment and essential certifications.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Drone hardware: $1,000 – $2,000. This budget allows for the purchase of a basic commercial drone suitable for general aerial photography and simple inspections.
• Training and certification: $150 – $500. Costs for obtaining the FAA Part 107 certification, including study materials and exam fees.
• Insurance: $500 – $1,000 annually. Liability insurance to cover potential damages and operational risks.
• Software: $200 – $500 annually. Basic software for flight planning and photo/video editing, such as DroneDeploy’s basic plan or Adobe Premiere Elements.
• Marketing and branding: $500 – $1,000. Initial costs for setting up a simple website, business cards, and some online advertising.

Total estimated lean startup cost: $2,350 – $5,000

2. Medium Drone Business Startup Costs

This tier is suitable for entrepreneurs looking to provide a wider range of services with higher-quality equipment and more comprehensive coverage.

• Drone hardware: $3,000 – $6,000. Mid-range drones such as the DJI Phantom 4 Pro or Autel EVO II that offer better camera quality and more robust features for commercial use.
• Training and certification: $500 – $1,000. Includes advanced training courses in areas like thermal imaging or 3D mapping to expand service offerings.
• Insurance: $1,000 – $2,000 annually. Comprehensive liability insurance with higher coverage limits for more extensive operations.
• Software: $500 – $1,200 annually. Advanced software for mapping, 3D modeling, and data analysis, such as Pix4D or advanced DroneDeploy plans.
• Marketing and branding: $1,500 – $3,000. Includes costs for a professional website, SEO services, and broader online and offline marketing efforts.

Total estimated medium startup cost: $6,500 – $13,200

3. Pro Drone Business Startup Costs

A pro-tier setup is designed for those aiming to launch a fully-fledged drone business with top-tier equipment and comprehensive service capabilities.

• Drone hardware: $10,000 – $20,000+. High-end drones like the DJI Matrice 300 RTK or Yuneec H520E that support a wide range of sensors and payloads for industrial applications.
• Training and certification: $1,000 – $2,500. Advanced certifications and specialized training in sectors like oil and gas inspections, search and rescue, or cinematic production.
• Insurance: $2,500 – $5,000 annually. Extensive liability and equipment insurance to cover high-value operations and assets.
• Software: $1,200 – $3,000 annually. Professional software packages for extensive data analysis, real-time monitoring, and comprehensive drone management systems.
• Marketing and branding: $3,000 – $7,000. Includes comprehensive branding services, extensive marketing campaigns, and participation in industry events to establish a strong market presence.

Total estimated pro startup cost: $17,700 – $37,500+

How to Start a Drone Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting a drone business can be a rewarding venture, but it requires careful planning and execution.

Here are the key steps to follow when getting started to help you launch your drone business successfully.

Step 1: Get Certified

Before you can operate a drone commercially in the U.S., you must obtain your FAA Part 107 certification, which is required for commercial drone pilots.

The certification process involves studying for and passing a written exam that covers drone regulations, airspace classification, weather effects, and more.

We offer an online test prep course called Drone Pilot Ground School to help drone pilots get ready for the exam. We’ve trained over 60,000 pilots and have a pass rate of over 99%—learn more here.

Step 2: Choose Your Niche

Identify a specific niche for your drone business.

Popular niches include aerial photography, real estate surveys, agricultural monitoring, construction site inspections, and more. Make sure to choose a niche that has a viable market demand in your area and, ideally, aligns with your interests and existing skills (or skills you plan to establish).

You can do your market research on job sites like Indeed.com or just by searching for both “drone jobs in [your location]” and “[drone niche] in [your location]” to get a sense both for competition and for possible drone work opportunities.

Step 3: Buy Your Equipment

Invest in quality drone equipment that suits your chosen niche.

For example, a drone for aerial photography will need a high-resolution camera, while a drone for agriculture might require specialized sensors for crop monitoring.

Image source

Step 4: Get Insured

Obtain liability insurance to protect your business against potential damages or accidents. Drone insurance typically covers both the drone itself and any potential liabilities resulting from its operation.

Learn more about drone insurance with our partner Skywatch.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Choose a business structure (typically this will be an LLC or sole proprietorship) and register your business with the appropriate state and local authorities.

This step ensures that your business is legally recognized and allows you to operate under a business name.

Step 6: Create a Business Plan

Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your business model, target market, revenue streams, and growth strategies. A solid business plan will help you stay focused and attract potential investors.

Image source

Step 7: Build Your Brand

Establish a professional online presence by creating a website and setting up social media profiles. Your brand should clearly communicate the services you offer and your unique selling points.

Step 8: Market Your Services

Implement a marketing strategy to reach potential clients. Use a mix of online advertising, social media marketing, and networking events to promote your services. Consider offering introductory discounts or packages to attract new customers.

Step 9: Network and Partner

Attend industry events and join professional associations to network with potential clients and partners. Building strong relationships within your industry can lead to valuable business opportunities and referrals.

Step 10: Get Clients!

This could also be Step 1, or even Step 0.

Without clients you don’t really have a business. So don’t be shy—get out there and start meeting with people, letting them know what you offer and offering to do work at introductory rates, or even for free at first until you have a client base.

The key is to start bringing in money as soon as you can, so you can have a sustainable business that supports you.

But also be patient. It may take months, or even years, before your business is bringing in the level of full-time income you want. If you work at it and are consistent and persistent, your business will grow over time.

The Top 7 Most Profitable Drone Business Ideas

Running a drone business can be pretty profitable—especially if you choose a niche that aligns your expertise with market demand in your area.

Here are some of the most profitable drone business ideas, with a breakdown of what’s required to get started, special skills needed, essential gear, and estimated startup costs.

1. Aerial Photography and Videography

Capturing high-quality aerial images and videos for various clients, including real estate agents, event planners, and marketing firms.

• Special skills. Proficiency in photography and video editing is essential, along with a good understanding of angles and lighting from the air.
• Gear. A drone with a high-resolution camera, a computer with video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro ($20.99/month), and additional batteries.
• Estimated startup costs. $1,500 – $3,000.
• Tips. Market your services through social media and by building a portfolio on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

2. Real Estate Photography

Providing aerial shots and video tours of properties for real estate agents and property developers.

• Special skills. Knowledge of real estate marketing and the ability to highlight property features from a bird’s eye view.
• Gear. A drone with a high-quality camera, like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro ($1,500 – $2,000), photo editing software, and possibly a drone with a 3-axis gimbal for stability.
• Estimated startup costs. $2,000 – $4,000.
• Tips. Develop partnerships with local real estate agencies and offer package deals for regular listings.

Image source

3. Agricultural Surveys

Using drones to monitor crop health, map fields, and provide farmers with actionable insights to improve yields and reduce costs.

• Special skills. Understanding of agriculture, precision farming, and the ability to interpret NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) maps.
• Gear. A drone equipped with multispectral sensors, such as the Parrot Bluegrass Fields ($5,000 – $8,000), data analysis software, and a high-capacity battery.
• Estimated startup costs. $6,000 – $10,000.
• Tips. Connect with agricultural extension services and offer demonstrations to farmers.

4. Inspection Services

Conducting inspections for infrastructure such as bridges, buildings, wind turbines, and power lines to identify damage or wear.

• Special skills. Knowledge of inspection standards and the ability to operate drones in complex environments.
• Gear. A robust drone like the DJI Matrice 300 RTK ($12,000 – $20,000) equipped with thermal and zoom cameras, and inspection software.
• Estimated startup costs. $15,000 – $25,000.
• Tips. Certification in industrial inspection and safety training is highly recommended.

A drone being used for a bridge inspection | Credit: Skydio

5. Construction Site Monitoring

Providing aerial surveys and progress reports for construction sites to improve project management and ensure safety compliance.

• Special skills. Familiarity with construction processes and the ability to create detailed aerial maps and 3D models.
• Gear. A drone such as the DJI Mavic 2 Pro ($1,600 – $2,000) with mapping capabilities, photogrammetry software like Pix4D ($350/month), and additional batteries.
• Estimated startup costs. $3,000 – $5,000.
• Tips. Partner with construction companies to offer ongoing site monitoring services.

6. Event Photography and Videography

Capturing aerial footage of events such as weddings, concerts, and sports games to create unique perspectives and memorable highlights.

• Special skills. Experience in event photography, the ability to handle crowd settings, and advanced video editing skills.
• Gear. A drone like the DJI Air 2S ($999 – $1,299) for high-quality footage, video editing software, and extra batteries for extended coverage.
• Estimated startup costs. $1,500 – $3,000.
• Tips. Network with event planners and offer promotional deals to showcase your services.

7. Drone Mapping and Surveying

Providing detailed maps and 3D models for land surveying, urban planning, and environmental monitoring.

• Special skills. Proficiency in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and knowledge of surveying techniques.
• Gear. A high-end drone like the SenseFly eBee X ($12,000 – $15,000) with mapping software, and RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) GPS equipment.
• Estimated startup costs. $15,000 – $20,000.
• Tips. Pursue certifications in surveying and mapping to enhance your credibility and attract higher-paying clients.

Want to learn drone mapping? Check out our online drone mapping course and our in-person drone mapping workshops.

29 More Drone Business Ideas

Looking for more drone business ideas?

Below we continue the list from the last section, adding 29 more ideas to make a total list of 36 drone business ideas.

Image source

8. Environmental Monitoring

Deploy drones to monitor environmental conditions, track pollution levels, and assist in conservation projects.

9. Security Surveillance

Provide aerial surveillance for security purposes, including monitoring large events, securing perimeters, and patrolling private properties.

10. Pipeline and Power Line Inspections

Conduct aerial inspections of pipelines and power lines to detect leaks, damages, and potential hazards, improving maintenance efficiency.

11. Telecommunication Tower Inspections

Use drones to inspect telecommunication towers, reducing the need for risky manual inspections and increasing inspection frequency.

12. Wind Turbine Inspections

Deploy drones to inspect wind turbines for damages or maintenance needs, providing a safe and efficient alternative to manual inspections.

Credit: DJI

13. Solar Panel Inspections

Inspect solar panels for defects or performance issues using drones equipped with thermal cameras.

14. Marine and Coastal Surveys

Use drones to conduct surveys of coastal and marine environments for research, conservation, and development planning.

15. Film and Television Production

Provide aerial shots and unique perspectives for film and television productions, enhancing visual storytelling.

16. Advertising and Marketing

Create aerial content for advertising and marketing campaigns, offering unique angles and captivating footage for brand promotions.

17. Drone Training and Certification

Offer training programs and certification courses for aspiring drone pilots, covering basics to advanced flight techniques.

18. Drone Repair and Maintenance

Provide repair and maintenance services for drones, ensuring they remain operational and safe for commercial use.

19. Custom Drone Design and Manufacturing

Design and manufacture custom drones tailored to specific business needs or industry applications.

20. Drone Data Analysis

Offer data analysis services for businesses that need to interpret data collected by drones, such as crop health analysis or 3D mapping.

21. 3D Mapping and Modeling

Provide 3D mapping and modeling services for construction, mining, urban planning, and other industries that require detailed topographical data.

22. Archaeological Surveys

Use drones to conduct aerial surveys of archaeological sites, helping researchers to identify and document findings without disrupting the site.

23. Search and Rescue (SAR) Training

Offer training programs for search and rescue teams on how to effectively use drones in their operations.

Credit: DJI

24. Custom Aerial Surveys

Provide custom aerial surveys for various industries, including agriculture, construction, and environmental monitoring.

Note: Be cautious when using the word survey in your marketing materials and service offerings. Some states, such as North Carolina, have been telling drone pilots they can get in trouble for using the word.

25. Sports and Action Photography

Capture dynamic aerial footage of sports events and action activities, such as skiing, Formula 1 racing, surfing, and mountain biking.

Credit: Red Bull

26. Infrastructure Inspections

Use drones to inspect infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels, and buildings for maintenance and safety checks.

27. Agricultural Drone Sales and Rentals

Sell, lease, or rent specialized drones for agricultural purposes, including drones for crop spraying and monitoring.

28. Delivery Services

Offer drone delivery services for small packages, food, and medical supplies, providing a fast and efficient alternative to traditional delivery methods.

29. Public Safety Support

Offer drone services to public safety agencies for tasks such as crime scene investigation, emergency response, and crowd monitoring.

Credit: DJI

30. Drone Rental Services

Provide rental services for drones, allowing customers to rent drones for specific projects or periods without purchasing them.

31. Wedding and Event Photography

Offer aerial photography and videography services for weddings—especially destination weddings—and other events, capturing unique perspectives and memorable moments.

32. Forest Management

Use drones to monitor forest health, track illegal logging, and assist in conservation efforts.

Credit: DroneSeed

33. Surveying for Mining Operations

Conduct aerial surveys of mining sites to assess land conditions, plan excavation work, and monitor environmental impact.

34. Scientific Research

Use drones to gather data for scientific research, such as wildlife studies, environmental monitoring, and atmospheric sampling.

35. Art and Cultural Heritage Documentation

Capture aerial images and videos of historical and cultural sites for documentation and preservation.

36. Drone Consultant Services

Provide consulting services to businesses looking to integrate drones into their operations, offering expertise on equipment selection, training, and regulations.

The post How to Start a Drone Business: A Complete Guide—Includes 36 Drone Business Ideas [New for 2024] appeared first on UAV Coach.

Since opening, Anzu has been getting lots of attention for its first drone, the Raptor. The Raptor also comes with a thermal option, called the Raptor T.

One of the main reasons everyone is talking about the Raptor is because it’s a U.S.-made version of DJI’s Mavic 3 Enterprise.

Credit: Anzu Robotics

We don’t mean the Raptor is made to compete with the Mavic 3. We mean that it’s almost an exact clone of it, as far as we can tell. The only difference is that the Raptor is green.

Where Autel has made a name for itself by designing drones to go head-to-head with DJI platforms, Anzu Robotics actually has a partnership with DJI, allowing it to create a drone based on the Mavic 3’s technology. (DJI has acknowledged the partnership, though the specific details haven’t been shared publicly.)

So why sell a green Mavic 3 from a new company? Because the push to ban DJI has become so strong that many U.S. companies may prefer to buy an American-made drone, even if it costs more.

And the Raptor does cost more than the Mavic 3E—about $1,500 to $2,000 more. Here’s the price comparison:

• The Raptor is $5,100 while the Mavic 3 Enterprise starts at around $3,700
• The Raptor T is $7,600 while the Mavic 3 Thermal Enterprise starts at $5,500

Is the Raptor a Clone of the Mavic 3E?

It sure seems like it. Check out this table we made comparing the specs for the two drones:

As you can see, they’re identical. (The second camera on the Raptor may also have a 1/2″ CMOS sensor, we just weren’t able to confirm whether that’s true.)

But although the specs appear to be the same, the two drones are different in a few key ways:

• The Raptor doesn’t have geofencing. All DJI drones do have geofencing, which you have to turn off if you want to fly. (Here’s how to turn it off.)
• The Raptor has completely different software. While the Mavic 3 uses DJI’s proprietary software, the Raptor uses software from Aloft provided in a partnership the two companies have formed.
• The Raptor’s data is hosted on U.S.-based servers. Any flight data that might be captured by the drone is hosted on servers located domestically, and not in China or elsewhere.
• The Raptor is sold by a U.S.-based company. Just the fact that Anzu Robotics is located in the U.S. will be appealing to some consumers, and maybe especially to those working for government agencies at the state or federal level.

Is the Raptor Made in the U.S.?

The answer is no. But, as we just mentioned, the company is headquartered and operated within the U.S.

For a lot of U.S. customers, the most important thing about how the Raptor is made will be that it’s not made in China, and doesn’t seem to have Chinese components.

Credit: Anzu Robotics

As Congress pushes toward a nation-wide DJI ban—a prospect that seems impossible but, let’s face it, could actually happen—the need for drones that aren’t made in China is becoming more and more urgent.

So how is the Raptor made? And does it meet the NDAA’s supply chain requirements?

What we know so far is that despite the connection to DJI, almost all of the parts for the Raptor are made in Malaysia, and the drone is assembled there as well.

Once the Raptor is built, it’s sent to Anzu Robotics’ Austin headquarters, where Anzu installs firmware in the drone and performs a quality review before sending it to customers.

Credit: Anzu Robotics

Given this information, the Raptor meets NDAA supply chain standards, which require that drones not be made in a covered foreign country (China, Iran, Russia, or North Korea) or include parts from a covered foreign country.

So it’s a Malaysian-made drone sold by a U.S.-based company. And for large, high-visibility U.S. companies that want to distance themselves from Chinese drone technology, that will probably be just fine.

Government and state agencies looking for a DJI alternative may also be fine with where the Raptor is made, so long as they can buy a drone that will do what they need and won’t cost double or quadruple what a DJI drone would cost.

In fact, Anzu is betting everything on this being the case.

The post U.S.-Based Anzu Robotics Launches The Raptor, A Mavic 3 Alternative that Meets Supply Chain Concerns appeared first on UAV Coach.

(Want to learn more about the course? Make sure to sign up for the drone mapping webinar we’re hosting next Thursday.)

We’re also covering a video from Denis Barbas shot entirely on the new DJI Avata 2, a cinewhoop tour of a $9 million beach house, Skyfire’s new DFR training facility, and the FAA’s Drone Safety Day.

Now let’s get to those links!

Drone Mapping Essentials Course + In-Person Workshops

We just launched Drone Mapping Essentials, an online course to help drone pilots make more money by adding drone mapping to their list of skills. The course comes with real world datasets, over 100 instructional videos, and practical advice for finding drone mapping work. The course is taught by industry expert Dylan Gorman, founder of Pilotbyte and an experienced commercial drone pilot who has completed over 5,000 drone missions.

In addition to the online course, we’re offering two-day drone mapping workshops across the country for those who want to dive deeper. Here’s the schedule for upcoming workshops:

• Houston, TX—May 4-5. Learn more about the Houston workshop.
• Atlanta, GA—May 11-12. Learn more about the Atlanta workshop.
• Denver, CO—June 1-2. Learn more about the Denver workshop.
• Richmond, VA—June 8-9. Learn more about the Richmond workshop.
• Chicago, IL—June 15-16. Learn more about the Chicago workshop.
• Los Angeles/Orange County, CA—July 27-28. Learn more about the Orange County workshop.

Curious about drone mapping but not ready to sign up for a course or workshop? Make sure to attend our Drone Mapping Webinar next Thursday, April 25 from 2-3PM EST.

LEARN MORE

Avata 2 Footage from Denis Barbas

Denis Barbas is one of our go-to creators. We’ve covered several of his videos over the years, from his trip to Iceland with the Mavic 3 to The Journey, a video he shot on the DJI Mini 2 that includes shots from around the world. This new video features cinematic FPV footage captured entirely on the DJI Avata 2, which launched just last week along with the DJI Goggles 3. According to Barbas, he made this video incredibly fast as an experiment, filming everything in just four days then doing all the editing in under 24 hours. Check out the video to see what’s possible with the new Avata 2.

LEARN MORE

Cinewhoop Tour of a $9 Million Beach House

According to YouTuber Kai Vertigoh, the pilot who shot this cinewhoop, the house it features is worth $9 million. In classic cinewhoop fashion, the video is a single shot. Vertigogh has fun with the flying, starting by passing through the open windows of a car parked outside before entering through the front door, flying under the arm of a chef using a butane torch, and ending by flying over the balcony toward the ocean, then turning back to show the entire house. In about 30 seconds we see the power cinewhoops can have for real estate marketing, showcasing a home in an intimate, up-close way that a handheld camera could never pull off.

LEARN MORE

Skyfire Opens DFR Emergency Training Center in Huntsville, AL

Skyfire is one of the nation’s top companies helping police and fire departments build their drone programs. It helped the Chula Vista Police Department launch the first ever DFR program (Drone as First Responder) in 2018. Since then, it has been instrumental in helping to launch the majority of DFR programs in the U.S., including the first ever joint police/fire DFR in Fremont, CA. Now Skyfire has unveiled a new training facility devoted to DFR operations. Called the Rise DFR Village, the facility will cater to both existing operators and those looking to adopt drone technology for emergency situations, offering expert instruction and hands-on training to UAV operators from various sectors that might want to start DFR programs.

LEARN MORE

The FAA’s Drone Safety Day Is Next Week

The FAA’s annual Drone Safety Day (DSD) is next week on Saturday, April 27. Drone adoption has exploded over the last several years, and is by far the fastest growing segment of aviation in the U.S. Recent FAA data shows we have 864,000 drones registered and 330,000 certified Remote Pilots, and both numbers are only going to go up in the coming years. Drone Safety Day is the FAA’s annual effort to educate drone users on the importance of flying safely, serving as an educational campaign to make sure pilots know how to fly safely. This year’s DSD will highlight the societal, economic, and safety benefits of safe drone operations with in-person, virtual, and hybrid events in focus areas like Education, Economics, Equity, Environment, and Emergencies. The FAA encourages people to get involved and host their own DSD events—follow the link below to learn how you can be part of this year’s Drone Safety Day.

LEARN MORE

Make sure to sign up for our free weekly newsletter using the button below so you can get our weekly newsletter every Saturday, with this roundup and our other featured stories from the week.

The post Drone News Roundup: New Drone Mapping Course and In-Person Workshops, Avata 2 Cinematic FPV Footage, and More! appeared first on UAV Coach.

Marketing is one of the most common types of real estate work for drone pilots—that’s when a realtor hires a drone pilot to get aerial shots of a piece of property to help them sell it.

Aerial photos, videos, and 3D models can help make a property come alive to potential buyers. And that’s especially true when it’s a bigger property.

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Some are the most common types of properties drone pilots are hired to photograph include:

• Residential real estate. Homes, housing developments, and communities
• Commercial real estate. Malls, shopping centers, business complexes, golf courses, hotels, and hotel facilities
• Large areas of land. Big estates, golf courses, ranches, and farms

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about real estate drone photography, including how much you can charge, the best real estate drones on the market, and how to find clients.

Want to jump around? Here you go:

• The Best Real Estate Drones [New for 2024]
• Finding Clients for Real Estate Drone Photography
• How Much Can You Charge for Real Estate Drone Photography?
• Do I Need a Drone License for Real Estate Drone Photography?
• Resources for Real Estate Drone Photography

The Best Real Estate Drones [New for 2024]

When it comes to real estate drone photography there are several good prosumer drone options out there, most starting at around $500 and going up to around $2,000.

What to Look for in a Real Estate Drone

Before diving into our list of drones for real estate drone photography, here are a few things to consider when shopping for a camera drone to use in real estate work:

• Quality of the camera. You’ll want a professional-grade camera with a high enough quality to allow you to take professional shots.
• Battery life. For an average residential shoot you may need about an hour of flight time and for a commercial shoot you’ll need even more, so make sure to keep this in mind when choosing your drone. The last thing you want is to run out of batteries halfway through a job.
• Flight modes. Some drones come with special pre-programmed flight modes, like DJI’s Intelligent Flight modes, which allow you to get special shots automatically. Whether you’re brand new or an experienced professional, these modes can be useful for capturing dynamic shots for your real estate clients.
• Payload options. As you get more experienced you may want to attach a different camera to your drone, which will mean you need to think about whether your drone allows for customized payloads.

Now that we’ve covered things to look for in your drone, let’s dive into our list of recommended camera drones for real estate drone photography.

The Best Real Estate Drones of 2024

Here’s our list of the top real estate drones on the market—follow the links to learn more about each one.

• DJI Mini 4 Pro
• Autel EVO Lite
• DJI Air 3
• DJI Mavic 3 Pro

1. DJI Mini 4 Pro

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is known for packing advanced features into a compact frame, making it a good option for real estate photography. Its lightweight design (under 249g) not only makes it easier to fly—it also means you don’t have to register it, since the weight requirement for registration with the FAA is 250 grams.

Key Specs/Features

• Flight time. 45 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery plus, which is an upgrade, or 34 minutes with the standard Intelligent Flight Battery.
• Camera. 1.3” CMOS sensor that shoots stills at 48MP and video at 60fps HDR. Also allows for vertical shooting.
• Transmission. 1080p/60fps FHD live feeds up to 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) with 04 video transmission.
• Obstacle avoidance. Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, with four wide-angle vision sensors and a pair of downward vision sensors.

Learn more about the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

2. Autel EVO Lite+

The Autel Evo Lite+ is designed for professionals and enthusiasts alike, offering advanced aerial imaging in a portable package. It stands out for its exceptional camera performance, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, including real estate photography, landscape capture, and more.

Key Specs/Features

• Flight time. Up to 40 minutes.
• Camera. High-resolution 6K video capability for detailed imagery.
• Design. Compact and foldable design for convenience and portability
• Obstacle avoidance. Advanced obstacle avoidance systems for safe flying

Learn more about the Autel EVO Lite+.

3. DJI Air 3

The DJI Air 3 stands out as a top choice for real estate photography, blending prosumer specifications with impressive flight time, transmission range, and photo/video capabilities, all at a pretty reasonable price.

Key Specs/Features

• Flight time. The Air 3 has 46 minutes of flight time vs. the 31 minutes of flight time found on the Air 2S.
• Cameras. The Air 3 has a dual wide-angle and tele camera system vs. the single visual sensor found on the Air 2S.
• Low light. The Air 3 is a good option for shooting in low-light and dark settings vs. no low-light support on the Air 2S.
• Obstacle sensors. The Air 3 has an omnidirectional binocular vision system and a bottom-mounted infrared sensor vs. the forward, backward, upward, and downward obstacle sensing found on the Air 2S.
• Transmission. The Air 3 has a max transmission range of 12.4 miles (20 km) supported by Ocusync 4.0 vs. the 7.4 miles (12 km) supported by Ocusync 3.0 found on the Air 2S.

Learn more about the DJI Air 3.

4. DJI Mavic 3 Pro

The DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a high-end drone designed for professional aerial photography and videography. It comes with three cameras, including a Hasselblad camera for exceptional image quality. Its advanced features include 5K video recording, a long flight time, and a variety of intelligent shooting modes, making it suitable for a wide range of creative and commercial applications.

Key Specs/Features

• Flight time. 43 minutes.
• Cameras. As we’ve already covered, the Mavic 3 Pro comes with three cameras—scroll down for details about each one.
• Transmission. 9.3 miles (15km) video transmission at 1080p/60fps provided by DJI’s O3+ transmission system.
• Obstacle avoidance. Omnidirectional obstacle sensing with eight wide-angle vision sensors and APAS 5.0.

Learn more about the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.

Finding Clients for Real Estate Drone Photography

When you’re just getting started in drone real estate photography it can be a little hard to get traction.

It’s a chicken-or-egg problem—how do you get clients if you don’t have a portfolio? And how do you build a portfolio without clients?

Here are some of the most common ways to get clients in real estate drone photography:

• The “Free Shoot” Approach
• Word of Mouth
• Drone Pilot Networks
• Search Job Websites

Image source

1. The “Free Shoot” Approach

One common path to building a portfolio of drone real estate photography / videography work and growing a client base is to offer work to clients for free.

Even if you already have a photography business, it can be hard to establish yourself with a new type of work. Offering clients a free shoot can help you establish credibility while also getting more work to build your portfolio in your new niche—as well as getting your name out for the new type of work you’re offering.

[Related read: Can You Shoot Down a Drone Over Your Property? And What Do You Do If Someone Shoots at Your Drone?]

Derrick Ward’s “Free Shoot” Story

When he was first getting started with offering drone services, Derrick Ward used the “free shoot” approach to land his first real estate clients in Utah.

Starting from scratch, he was eventually able to go from offering free flights to charging $250 an hour.

Here’s how he did it:

• He called all the realtors in the area to set up meetings and offered each of them a free shoot
• The first realtor to accept his offer was one of the biggest realtors in the state
• They were pleased with the work he delivered for free and hired him to do more work
• Derrick still works them to this day

Derrick flying in Southern California

By taking this approach Derrick was able to land several clients and build a client base in a short period of time.

He was also able to grow his portfolio of real estate drone photography and videography quickly, which helped him land paying clients shortly after he started giving away work for free.

Read the case study.

Jonathon Russell’s “Free Shoot” Story

Another Drone Pilot Ground School alum, Jonathon Russell, also took the “free shoot” approach to grow his drone real estate photography business when he and his wife first moved to Hawaii.

The extra spin he put on the approach was to ask realtors if he could shoot properties they were having trouble selling, so he could highlight not only the quality of his aerial photography but also the direct impact drone real estate photography could have on sales in real estate.

Using this approach Jonathon and his wife Beth were able to grow their business from no clients at all to over 200 in just a few years.

Read the case study.

2. Word of Mouth

Explore your existing network to see who might be able to connect you with a realtor in your area.

Once you land your first client it will be much easier to get your second and your third, and so on.

3. Drone Pilot Networks

Do real estate drone photography or other types of missions (you choose) for a drone pilot network to build your resume while still getting paid.

Here are the top drone pilot networks out there:

• DroneBase
• Droners.io

See our full list of drone pilot networks here.

4. Search Job Websites

Sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn Jobs, and Glassdoor all list job openings. Go to one of these sites, enter your location, and type in ‘drone pilot’ or ‘drone pilot real estate’ to see if there are any open searches for real estate drone photography or related work in your area.

How Much Can You Charge for Real Estate Drone Photography?

So how much can you actually make doing real estate drone photography?

The answer is—it depends.

Some drone pilots make $25 an hour while others are able to charge $200 or even more per hour.

Like any professional skill, the amount you can make doing real estate drone photography depends on your level of experience and the depth of your body of work.

The amount you make is also tied to where you live. Real estate drone photography is going to cost more in Los Angeles than in Bakersfield simply because the cost of living is higher in L.A.

The good news is that although you may start out charging relatively low prices—say, $30 an hour—as you develop your portfolio and client base you’ll steadily be able to charge more.

To learn more about how much drone pilots are making in real estate, check out the results from our 2019 Drone Industry Survey.

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Guidelines for Pricing Your Real Estate Drone Photography Services

Setting prices can feel a little arbitrary when you’re working for yourself.

Are my skills worth $50 an hour or $60? Or $160? Sometimes it can feel like shooting in the dark.

To remove some of that uncertainty, here are a few things to keep in mind when setting your prices for your work in real estate drone photography.

1. Minimal annual cost

When considering prices it’s important to be aware of the money you’ve already invested in your drone business.

To do this, establish a minimal amount you need to make to account for your expenses, including your craft, gear, insurance, education and any other expenses related to your drone business so that you break even.

The number you come up with should include all these different expenses for the entire year. That’s both expenses you’ve already incurred and projected expenses—if you know you’re going to need new gear or a new drone, include those amounts, too.

2. How much do you want to make?

After you establish your minimal cost, think about how much you’d like to make a year.

Make sure to be realistic—just because you want to make six figures doesn’t mean your business will support it just yet.

3. How many hours can you bill in a year?

Now think about how many hours you can realistically bill in a year, taking into account vacations and sick days.

Keep in mind that 40 hours is probably too much for one week since we’re talking billable hours here, not total hours worked. In addition to the hours you get to bill clients for, you also have hours devoted to administrative work, sales, and other tasks that you don’t get to bill.

When you take all these things into account, aiming to bill an average of 30 hours a week may seem like a pretty aggressive goal.

4. Now do the math

After you establish your minimal annual cost and your ideal annual salary, add those numbers together. Then, divide that amount by the total number of hours you can bill in a given year.

And there you go. The resulting number is how much you’ll need to charge per hour to make what you want to earn per year and cover your expenses.

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Pricing Pro Tips

• If your client has a small budget then propose reducing the scope of work—not your price.
• Be aware of what your competition is charging so you can present facts as to why a potential client should hire you over your competition.
• Be ready to answer the question “Why?” about your prices. Being able to share the math from above is a good starting place, but keep in mind that most people will be focused on ROI—Return on Investment. If you can convince potential clients that the expense they make with you will make them more money by helping them sell their properties more quickly then your aerial photography services will sell themselves.

Do I Need a Drone License for Real Estate Drone Photography?

Yes.

If you’re doing any kind of work with a drone, such as real estate drone photography, federal law requires that you be certified by the FAA as a commercial drone pilot.

To obtain an FAA certificate you must meet a number of requirements, including passing the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test, also called the Part 107 test. Learn more about how to get FAA certification to be a commercial drone pilot here.

Want help preparing for the Part 107 test?

We’ve trained over 30,000 drone pilots, and over 99% of our students have passed the FAA’s Part 107 test on the first try. Learn more about how we can help you pass the test and become a commercial drone pilot at DronePilotGroundSchool.com.

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Resources for Real Estate Drone Photography

Here are some free resources to help you learn more about real estate drone photography:

• How to Build a Real Estate Marketing Business that Includes Drones
• The Real Estate Section of Our In-Depth Drone Jobs Guide
• Real Estate Drone Photography Profile: How Derrick Ward Went from Free Flights to $250 an Hour
• Real Estate Drone Photography Profile: How Jonathon and Beth Russell went from 0 to 200+ Clients

Want to step up your drone cinematography skills? Check out the paid Drone Cinematography Masterclass created by our friends over at Drone Film Guide.

The course was made to help drone pilots master aerial cinematography, and provides professional instruction to help you level up your aerial videos. Learn more about the Drone Cinematography Masterclass on the Drone Film Guide website.

The post Real Estate Drone Photography: A Complete Guide appeared first on UAV Coach.