Your Drone Questions. Answered.

Drone Launch Academy
  • 5.0 (10)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Have a drone question?  We'll answer it.  Welcome to "Your Drone Questions. Answered.", the podcast where we bring you the answers to your burning drone-related questions! Each episode, we take questions submitted by our audience and find industry experts to provide insightful and informative answers. Our interviews with these experts are typically 10-15 minutes long, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule. From flying techniques and gear to regulations and industry news, we cover it all. Whether you're a drone hobbyist, a professional, or just curious about the world of drones, "Your Drone Questions. Answered." is the podcast for you. So, send in your questions and join us as we explore the exciting world of drones!

  1. 6D AGO

    YDQA: Ep 133- "What’s Really Happening With the FCC Drone Updates After CES 2026?”

    In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered by Drone Launch Academy, host Chris Breedlove welcomes Eric Richard from Drone Sports Inc. back to the show to unpack the latest FCC developments affecting the drone industry. Following the FCC’s announcements on December 22 and the follow-up clarification released on January 7, there’s been a lot of confusion, speculation, and concern across the industry. Eric shares firsthand insights from CES 2026, including what he heard directly from FCC representatives, what those updates actually mean in practice, and why the real-world impact may be less immediate than many feared. The conversation dives into topics like: What Eric observed on the CES show floor, including trends in drones, robotics, and autonomous techHow the FCC is thinking about security, certification, and long-term timelinesWhy many definitions in the current guidance remain unclear—and why that mattersWhat this means for education, commercial drones, and U.S. manufacturingHow companies are adapting, collaborating, and positioning themselves for the next few yearsIf you’re trying to make sense of the FCC updates, worried about how they could affect drones in education or business, or just want a grounded, industry-level perspective from someone who was in the room, this episode brings much-needed clarity. Have a question you’d like answered on a future episode? Submit it at ydqa.io and it may be featured on the show.

    14 min

  2. JAN 22

    YDQA: Ep 132- "Is a Part 107 Certificate Really Enough to Build a Career with Drones?”

    Is getting your FAA Part 107 certificate all you need to be competitive in today’s drone industry—or is that just the starting line? In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove digs into what actually makes drone pilots employable and future-proof in a fast-changing tech landscape. Chris is joined by Eric Richard, President of Drone Sports Inc., who brings a deep K–12 and drone education perspective shaped by more than a decade in the industry. Together, they unpack how the role of the drone pilot is evolving, why industry knowledge is becoming just as important as flight skills, and how curiosity—not just certifications—may be the most valuable skill of all. https://www.dronesports.us/ eric@dronesports.us

    12 min

  3. JAN 15

    YDQA: Ep 131- "What Did the FCC Actually Do to Drones in December—and What Happens Next?”

    In the first episode of 2026, Chris Breedlove is joined by returning guest and legal expert Will Dawson for a deep dive into the FCC’s December 22 public notice and the follow-up amendments that have caused widespread confusion across the drone industry. This episode breaks down what the FCC actually did, how the Covered List and Blue List work, why DJI and other international manufacturers weren’t impacted the way many expected, and what the January 7 clarification really means for buyers, operators, and businesses moving forward. They also discuss the bigger picture: where U.S. drone policy is heading, how component bans and import restrictions may evolve, what this means for American drone manufacturing, and how operators should think about making smart equipment investments in 2026 amid ongoing regulatory uncertainty. If you’ve been trying to make sense of the headlines—or wondering whether now is a safe time to buy drones or drone components—this episode brings much-needed clarity straight from a legal and policy perspective. Dec 22 FCC Public Notice DA 25-1086: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-1086A1.pdf Jan 7 FCC Public Notice DA 26-22: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-22A1.pdf  Jan 12 DHS Release: New Office to Advance Drone and Counter-Drone Technologies: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/12/department-homeland-security-launches-new-office-advance-drone-and-counter-drone https://agdroneinitiative.org/ wpdawson@agdroneinitiative.org

    15 min

  4. 12/18/2025

    YDQA: Ep 130- "Can You Fly Over People Without a Waiver? Wingtra’s Category 3 Breakthrough Explained”

    Can drone pilots legally fly over people under Part 107 without a waiver and what does Category 3 approval actually change? In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove welcomes back Benton Szejk from Wingtra to break down the current state of operations over people in 2025. They cover what’s allowed under Part 107 today, how Category 3 works, and why Wingtra’s fully integrated parachute system is a major milestone for professional drone operations. The conversation also dives into Wingtra’s latest payload announcements, including ultra-high-resolution inspection capabilities, real-world use cases like airport runway inspections, pavement crack detection, and how AI-ready data is transforming surveying and infrastructure workflows. Topics covered include: What Category 3 operations over people really meanHow Wingtra achieved waiver-free approval under Part 107Practical use cases in urban, infrastructure, and public-asset mappingNew Wingtra payloads and inspection workflowsWhere drone regulations may be heading nextLearn how these advancements impact mapping, surveying, and inspection professionals working in complex, populated environments. https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people https://uasdoc.faa.gov/listDocs?docType=oop https://wingtra.com/  Have a drone question for a future episode? Submit it at ydqa.io.

    19 min

  5. 12/11/2025

    YDQA: Ep 129- "What Is SLAM, and How Can Drone Pilots Use SLAM LiDAR Payloads in Real Missions?”

    In this week’s episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Stefan Hrabar of Emesent to unpack one of the most important emerging technologies in the drone world: SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). What exactly is SLAM? How does SLAM LiDAR differ from traditional LiDAR systems? Can SLAM work without GPS? And—most importantly—how can drone pilots, mapping professionals, and service providers actually use SLAM-based payloads in real-life missions? Stefan talks about: His robotics and autonomy background—from early USC drone research to global deploymentsHow SLAM evolved inside Australia’s CSIRO labsThe origins of Emesent and the development of the Hovermap systemThe difference between visual SLAM, LiDAR SLAM, and mixed-sensor approachesWhy SLAM is becoming essential for GPS-denied environmentsReal-world use cases: underground mining, bridge inspections, cell towers, indoor scans, stockpiles, and moreHow modern SLAM payloads integrate with platforms like the Freefly Astro and DJI enterprise dronesNew capabilities such as autonomous exploration, waypoint-based scanning, and constrained SLAM with RTK or control points🔗 Learn more about Emesent: https://emesent.com Search #Hovermap on LinkedIn to see real-world missions & customer workflows. Have a question you'd like answered on a future episode? Visit YDQA.io or email chris@dronelaunchacademy.com.

    22 min

  6. 11/20/2025

    YDQA: Ep 128- "What Does It Take to Succeed at Cell Tower Drone Inspections?”

    In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, we’re diving into one of the most in-demand (and misunderstood) drone inspection niches out there: cell tower inspections. Today’s question is this: 👉 What are the real keys to success for drone pilots who want to work in the telecom inspection world? To tackle this topic, we are joined by Hunter Ardrey, a drone industry veteran who has spent years flying structural, utility, renewable energy, and telecom missions across the southeast. Together, we break down: 🔹 The scale of the telecom inspection industry 🔹 What rads (antenna arrays) are and why they matter 🔹 How digital twins are captured and delivered 🔹 What equipment is (and isn’t) used in real-world tower work 🔹 Manual vs automated tower-capture workflows 🔹 Accuracy requirements and image-quality standards 🔹 How tower work compares to inspecting other infrastructure 🔹 Whether new pilots can still break into this niche today Hunter also shares an honest look at the current state of the telecom market, including pricing pressure, big-player consolidation, and practical paths for new pilots who want to build skills and get experience. If you’ve ever wondered how cell tower inspections actually work — or whether this niche makes sense for your drone business — this episode lays it all out. Have a question you want answered on the show? 📩 Submit anytime at YDQA.io or email chris@dronelaunchacademy.com

    15 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    YDQA: Ep 127- "What Are the Most Surprising Thermal Drone Use Cases Beyond Solar Inspections?”

    In this week’s episode of Your Drone Questions Answered, brought to you by Drone Launch Academy, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Kayla McCoy of Wilkes County Soil & Water Conservation District in North Carolina to explore unexpected and innovative ways thermal drones are transforming conservation work. From monitoring rotational grazing systems and improving soil health policies to detecting hotspots in poultry composters and even locating hidden streams through dense foliage, Kayla shares real-world examples of how drones are revolutionizing agriculture and environmental management. You’ll learn: 🚜 How thermal imaging supports sustainable farming and water quality initiatives 🌾 The data-driven discoveries that helped change state policy 🐔 How drones improve biosecurity and efficiency in poultry operations 💧 Why thermal sensors outperform standard cameras for detecting water flow If you’re curious about new frontiers in drone mapping and thermal imaging, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! https://www.wilkesswcd.org/

    13 min

  8. 11/06/2025

    YDQA: Ep 126- "Is Freefly’s Flux the First End-to-End American-Made LiDAR Ecosystem for Drones?”

    Welcome to Your Drone Questions. Answered from Drone Launch Academy. Host Chris Breedlove sits down with Tom Searing (Seiler GeoDrones) to tackle a hot late-2025 question: Can U.S. operators finally run a truly American-made, NDAA-friendly, end-to-end LiDAR stack—from airframe to sensor to workflow? What you’ll learn: What “end-to-end” LiDAR actually looks like for U.S. teams (airframe → payload → planning → processing → export)A quick tour of Flux payload options (H1 / O1 / L1) and when each makes senseHow the Flow app simplifies setup, status checks, processing, and exporting in the fieldMission-planning notes (calibrations, overlaps, orthogonal passes) and why dual-antenna GNSS mattersCost model highlights: Flow is included with the sensor (no annual software fee), plus an optional Verizon Hyper Precise RTK subscription if you want always-on RTK; PPK remains viableField-friendly data handling: scan, verify a quick point-cloud render on the tablet, export LAZ/LAS, and goAvailability & demand outlook as we head toward early 2026 ramp-up Connect with Tom and check out Freefly Flux:https://freeflysystems.com/flux https://freefly.gitbook.io/astro-public/other-user-manuals/freefly-payloads/flux-lidar-payload tsearing@seilerinst.com  https://www.seilergeodrones.com/ Have a question for a future episode? Send it in and we’ll tackle it on the show: chris@dronelaunchacademy.com or visit ydqa.io.

    20 min
See All (133)

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Have a drone question?  We'll answer it.  Welcome to "Your Drone Questions. Answered.", the podcast where we bring you the answers to your burning drone-related questions! Each episode, we take questions submitted by our audience and find industry experts to provide insightful and informative answers. Our interviews with these experts are typically 10-15 minutes long, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule. From flying techniques and gear to regulations and industry news, we cover it all. Whether you're a drone hobbyist, a professional, or just curious about the world of drones, "Your Drone Questions. Answered." is the podcast for you. So, send in your questions and join us as we explore the exciting world of drones!

Information

  • Creator
    Drone Launch Academy
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Drone Launch Academy
  • Show Website
    Your Drone Questions. Answered.

You Might Also Like