In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, Chris breaks down one of the most common sources of confusion for new drone operators: When do you really need a Remote Pilot Certificate under FAA rules?

Chris walks through:

• FAA registration requirements and how they compare to Transport Canada
• The role of intent in determining whether an operation is recreational or non-recreational
• Remote ID requirements for both micro drones and larger drones
• Practical scenarios, including flying under supervision, training before certification, and nonprofit use cases

If you’re trying to figure out where the line is drawn—or what applies if you’re using a sub-250g drone like the DJI Mini series—this episode clears up the gray areas.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone

https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers

https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2020-06/2019-2020-AA-33_INFOGRAPHIC_EN_V8.pdf

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, Chris sits down with David Arnold from Bearing Insurance to break it all down from an agent’s perspective. David shares stories (including a drone nearly being shot out of the sky!), explains common exclusions in homeowners and commercial policies, and gives practical advice on how to protect yourself, your equipment, and your business.

Whether you’re flying recreationally or running a drone business, this conversation will help you understand:
-What liability vs. physical damage coverage really means
-How hobbyists can (or can’t) rely on homeowners policies
-When a standalone drone policy makes sense
-Why umbrella coverage might be the smartest investment you can make

https://www.bearinginsurance.com/
darnold@bearinginsurance.com

In this week’s episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Benton Szejk from Wingtra to talk about where the drone industry is headed.

With all the uncertainty around regulations, supply chains, tariffs, and evolving executive orders, many drone pilots and professionals are wondering: what’s next? Benton shares insights from the manufacturer’s perspective on:
-The impact of the Blue and Green lists for drone certification
-Supply chain challenges and how Wingtra is preparing for the future
-Recent executive orders and what they mean for UAS policy in the U.S.
-Key features needed for BVLOS operations
-Wingtra’s latest technology, including obstacle avoidance, LTE connectivity, and AI-powered tools
-How drones are being used for mapping, surveying, environmental monitoring, and even public safety

Whether you’re a drone operator, educator, or just passionate about the future of UAS, this episode offers encouragement and practical insights into what’s ahead for the industry.

https://wingtra.com

https://wingtra.com/ray/

https://info.duncan-parnell.com/acton/media/23538/WingtraRAY-Roadshow

In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, Chris dives into the current state of play with DJI drones in the U.S. — from the impact of the 2025 NDAA to the inconsistent enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Drawing on years of experience in drone distribution, Chris shares behind-the-scenes insights on customs delays, shipment inconsistencies, and what this could mean for drone buyers, businesses, and hobbyists alike.

We’ll cover:
-Why DJI shipments have been unpredictable since late 2024
-How U.S. customs enforcement is affecting availability of enterprise vs. consumer drones
-What the upcoming NDAA security review deadline means for future DJI models
-Practical advice for those considering a DJI purchase now vs. waiting
-The role of advocacy groups in shaping the future of drone access

If you use DJI drones for work or recreation, or are thinking about starting a drone business, this episode will help you understand the risks, timelines, and possible scenarios ahead.

📌 Resources Mentioned:
https://viewpoints.dji.com/blog/navigating-u.s.-customs-demonstrating-djis-commitment-to-ethical-production-labor-practices

https://viewpoints.dji.com/blog/dont-ground-innovation-the-real-world-cost-of-banning-dji-in-the-u.s

https://droneadvocacyalliance.com/take-action/

* We apologize for the audio quality issues

In this episode, David teams up with licensed land surveyor and aerial mapping expert Michael Detwiler to break down how to assess the accuracy of your drone mapping projects—step by step.

Using real-world data from two WingtraOne Gen II drone flights (including a park survey and an orange grove redevelopment), they review:

-How to interpret accuracy reports from Wingtra and Pix4D
-What RMS error means in practice—and why it matters
-How many GCPs and checkpoints you really need
-Common pitfalls in ground control and image calibration
-Why PPK-enabled drones like Wingtra can drastically improve accuracy

Whether you're a beginner learning the ropes or an experienced mapper refining your process, this conversation offers practical insights into how to evaluate and improve your mapping results.

📍 Tools used: WingtraOne Gen II, Wingtra Ground Kit, Pix4D Cloud, Global Mapper
🎯 Best for: Drone mappers, land surveyors, photogrammetry professionals
🛠️ Learn how to build confidence in your data—and know what’s “good enough” for survey-grade deliverables.

In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, host Chris Breedlove welcomes Troy Walton and Susan Cohen from the Carolina Drone Lab at UNC Chapel Hill to explore the complex realities of using drones for natural resources and environmental management.

Topics include:

Navigating drone regulations and approval chains on military bases

Adapting to shifting drone compliance lists (Blue List, Green List, NDAA rules)

Tool selection challenges and the rising cost of specialized equipment

Interdisciplinary collaborations with agencies like the EPA, NASA, Forest Service

International research experiences in the Amazon and Galápagos

Student involvement, drone racing, and community engagement at UNC

https://tarheels.live/drones/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kzqh1l17Hg

How does Crew Resource Management (CRM) — a core aviation principle — apply to drone teams in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry? In this episode, host Chris Breedlove welcomes Aaron Varnau from WithersRavenel to explore the real-world application of CRM in daily drone operations.

Aaron shares his journey from studying Unmanned Aerial Systems at Purdue to coordinating remote sensing crews.
He breaks down how CRM helps teams:
-Avoid costly mistakes through clear roles and communication
-Manage high-stress drone missions (like flying near manned aircraft)
-Stay safe and effective in extreme conditions like summer heat
-Maintain checklists, battery care, flight logs, and airspace coordination
-Train new pilots for field readiness — not just test scores

* We apologize for the audio quality issues on the host's side.

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove talks with Josh Matheson from Duke University’s Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab. They explore how affordable, off-the-shelf drones like the DJI Phantom and Mavic series are being used in groundbreaking science—from tracking elephant health in Zambia, to monitoring shark behavior with AI, to modeling oyster reefs and 3D mapping seals and whales.

Josh shares real-world stories of students and researchers using consumer drones to collect high-quality scientific data, proving that you don’t need a $30K drone to do meaningful work. This episode highlights how accessible tech, paired with creativity, is making cutting-edge research more inclusive and powerful than ever.

🎓 Learn more about Duke’s drone lab https://marineuas.net/new/
📩 Got a question for the show? Email chris@dronelaunchacademy.com