Los Angeles air taxi network aims to reduce travel time with 10-20 minute electric flights across Southern California by 2026 Archer Aviation Inc. has announced plans to establish an air mobility network in Los Angeles, aiming to transform the way residents and visitors commute and travel in Southern California. The network is designed to significantly […]
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Texas’ controversial drone law case could be headed to Supreme Court By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide within the next several months whether to hear the appeal of a decision to uphold a Texas law that severely restricts the use of drones by photojournalists and others. Plaintiffs […]
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Innovative Modular Vertipad Design Garners Strong Interest from Air Taxi Industry Skyportz has secured more orders for more than 1,000 units for its new modular vertipad solution, following its release at the Farnborough International Airshow last month. The innovative design aims to support the growing air taxi industry by addressing key concerns such as passenger […]
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New Approval Enhances UAS Capabilities Without the Need for Visual Observers Censys Technologies has received a significant waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that allows their Sentaero 5 drone to operate over people and moving vehicles without the need for visual observers. This approval marks a considerable advancement in the field of drone operations, […]
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You’ve seen her byline on this website. But who is she? Today’s Drone Girl profile introduces you to Caroline Dobrez, the newest star writer on The Drone Girl!
Drone Girl (that’s me, Sally French) and Caroline go way back — to 2011! We met as students at the University of Missouri — Go Tigers! Both of us studied journalism, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that the two of us are writing now.
That said, none of us knew in 2011 that we’d be writing about drones all the time. In fact, we didn’t know what drones even were.
Caroline knows a lot about, well, a lot. Out of school, she moved to New Orleans to be a kindergarten teacher. That led to becoming a school principal. So all those stories she writes about bringing drones into school classrooms? She actually knows! These days, she’s hustling. Besides writing about drones, she’s also an expert in AI, education and nursing, where she leaders learning operations at NurseHub.
Get to know her thoughts on drones, how she got here, and her advice for other women in the industry in our Q&A here!
Do you know an awesome drone girl I should profile? Contact me here.
Drone Girl: I know how you got here, because I asked you to join my team at The Drone Girl. But tell me — and all these fine readers! How did you get here?
Caroline Dobrez: After over a decade in education, I was looking for a change. By happenstance, I was in San Francisco and grabbed dinner with you, and we got to talking. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and I’ve always stayed on top of the latest technology trends. When you (Sally) mentioned she was looking for a contributor, it seemed like a no-brainer!
DG: What’s the first drone you ever flew?
CD: My uncle was gifted a DJI drone many years back for Christmas, I believe it was the DJI Phantom 3.
DG: What was it like?
CD: The whole family took turns flying the drone and testing it out. We were all amazed (little did we know what was to come in the drone industry). During my turn, I remember feeling incredibly nervous about not crashing my uncle’s gift. It’s a completely different experience when you have your own drone. You grow a sense of comfortability and freedom that certainly makes you a better drone pilot.
DG: You’ve flown many drones! I’ve had you review all sorts of (sometimes wacky) stuff, like the DroneMask 2. You’ve reviewed classic products that most people consider great, like the DJI Mini 4 Pro, and you’ve also looked at DJI alternatives like the HoverAir X1. Which ones stand out to you?
CD: The DJI Mini 4 Pro is an incredible drone, especially for a novice pilot like me. The omnidirectional obstacle sensing is unlike any other drone I’ve ever flown, providing true peace of mind. However, the HoverAir X1 has become my go-to party trick within my friend group. Its portability allows me to easily throw it into my cargo pants pockets and fly in crowded areas like Mardi Gras parades. It certainly doesn’t get the height or photo quality of a DJI drone, but it’s a fun camera.
DG: You’ve now been in the drone industry for about a year! What are your impressions? Any surprises?
CD: The importance of female voices in the drone industry cannot be overstated. I attended my first drone conference in New Orleans last October and was shocked by the ratio of males to females. I’ve been fortunate to interview incredible women in the drone industry, such as Kat James and Joanna Steidle, and to work for you at The Drone Girl. This experience has shown me how crucial it is to elevate female voices and demonstrate to young girls that this is an industry for them.
DG: Outside of drones, what do you like to do for fun?
CD: I live in New Orleans, so I love doing all things New Orleans from festivals to parades to crafting the perfect costume: sign me up! I recently got into Pickleball and take a weekly fiction writing course. I am also so grateful to have careers that allow me to travel frequently. I went to California, Colorado, and Utah this summer and have plans to go to Vietnam this fall.
DG: Having lived there more than a decade, you’re a New Orleans expert! What’s the top, underrated spot for tourists in New Orleans?
CD: Go to the R bar and get the Agave Garden if you know, you know.
DG: Speaking of tourism, if you could fly a drone anywhere in the world, where would it be?
CD: Alaska. I went there last summer and the terrain is breathtaking, and it feels like at almost every turn you encounter something new and awe-inspiring. Flying a drone there would allow me to document and share the beauty of Alaska in a way that few have experienced.
DG: We write a lot about drone package deliveries here. If a drone could deliver one thing right now, what would it be?
CD: It is not currently crawfish season, but I often think about when I am sitting out on the water in springtime in New Orleans, how amazing it would be to have boiled crawfish delivered right to me.
DG: You have an incredible, diverse career path. You’ve touched so many lives, from underprivileged youth in schools to women interested in this male-dominated world of drones. What advice would you have for other women like you?
CD: I have a few pieces of advice. First, stay curious. If there is something you are interested in, start learning about it—you never know where your new knowledge may take you. Second, be confident and humble. Be confident enough to speak your truth and know that you belong in the rooms you enter, but also humble enough to recognize and value the contributions of everyone in those rooms. Finally, once you’ve made your way, make sure you leave a path for other women. Become a mentor yourself and do what you can to make that path a little wider.
Connect with Caroline Dobrez on her LinkedIn.
If you know any awesome drone girls I should profile, please contact me here.
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