In this episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, Drone Launch Academy founder David Young steps in to explore how drones are reshaping high school education across the U.S.

David breaks down what Career and Technical Education (CTE) means, how industry-recognized credentials work, and why more states are adding the Part 107 drone license to their official CTE credential lists. You’ll learn:

• Which states are already funding drone programs for students
• How schools are building full drone technology pathways (like North Carolina and Florida)
• What kind of real jobs high school grads can get with a Part 107 license
• And how drone classes are helping students stay engaged and even graduate

Whether you’re an educator, parent, or drone enthusiast, this episode will open your eyes to how drones are preparing the next generation for tech-driven careers.

Check out our Drone Launch Learning website to see how you can incorporate drones in your high school: https://dronelaunchlearning.com/

In this week’s episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Will Dawson, attorney and founder of the Agricultural Drone Initiative (ADI), to explore how new federal policies could shape the future of agricultural drone use in the U.S.

Will shares his journey from growing up on a seven-generation farm in Virginia to leading national advocacy for smarter drone regulations. Together, they unpack the ongoing DJI policy debate, the misconceptions around drone bans, and what these changes could mean for farmers, manufacturers, and policymakers alike.

You’ll learn:

• Why ADI was created to bridge the gap between farmers and lawmakers
• The real number of agricultural drone operators in the U.S.
• How the 2025 NDAA and DJI restrictions could affect drone availability
• What buyback programs and American-made alternatives like Hylio might look like
• How smarter drone policy can protect both innovation and national security

👉 Learn more about the Agricultural Drone Initiative at https://agdroneinitiative.org/

👉 Submit your questions for future episodes at ydqa.io or email chris@dronelaunchacademy.com

Welcome back to Your Drone Questions. Answered, brought to you by Drone Launch Academy!

This week, we’re diving into a listener-suggested topic: GNSS post-processing services. If you’re flying mapping missions and need to establish accurate base station coordinates for your PPK (post-processed kinematic) workflow, services like OPUS and Trimble CenterPoint RTX can be game-changers.

In this episode, I break down:

• What GNSS post-processing services are and why they matter for drone pilots
• A comparison between OPUS (NGS/NOAA, U.S.) and Trimble CenterPoint RTX
• Logging best practices (intervals, duration, and timing of uploads)
• Key limitations, including constellation support and receiver compatibility
• Practical advice on when and how to use these services in your workflow

We’ll also touch on how these tools compare to other correction methods like RTK networks, and why understanding what’s happening “behind the scenes” is valuable when evaluating cloud-based processing platforms.

🎧 For more background on RTK vs. PPK workflows, check out Episode 101 of the show.

🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://geodesy.noaa.gov/OPUS/

https://trimblertx.com/Home.aspx

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Brandon Beal from Elevation Aerial Application to explore how UAV spraying drones are changing the future of agriculture. 🌱

Brandon shares his journey from aviation into agriculture, explains how drones like the DJI T40 opened up scalable opportunities for farm spraying, and discusses the real-world impact drones are having on tree farms, row crops, and pastureland in Virginia.

We dive into:

• Why drones are more effective than traditional spraying methods in tough terrain
• How UAVs reduce reliance on migrant labor while boosting consistency
• The business case for spraying 50 acres an hour
• The future of ag drones in the U.S. amid changing regulations and technology

Whether you’re a farmer, drone pilot, or just curious about the intersection of UAVs and agriculture, this conversation is packed with insights into where the industry is heading.

👉 Connect with Brandon and Elevation Aerial Application on LinkedIn and social media.
https://www.elevationaerialapplication.com/

brandon@elevationaerialapplication.com

https://agdroneinitiative.org/

👉 Got a drone question for us? Submit it at ydqa.io

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with drone repair and FPV expert Wade Holbrook to explore the world of DIY repairs and custom builds.

We cover:

• The easiest, most common drone repairs pilots can do themselves
• Must-have tools and parts to keep in your go bag for fieldwork
• How learning to solder can save you time (and money) on the job
• The pros and cons of building custom drones vs. buying off-the-shelf models
• Insights into open-source platforms, coding, and UI challenges
• Real-world stories of repairs that saved entire missions

Whether you’re a commercial pilot, hobbyist, or curious about building your own drone, this episode will give you practical advice and inspiration to get hands-on with your gear.

🔗 Learn more about Wade and DSLR Pros: https://www.dslrpros.com

💡 Got a drone question for a future episode? Visit ydqa.io

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