Some have called Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade the best drone show ever. It’s about time I decide for myself.
Tonight, I’m trading in my drone controller for a pair of Mickey Mouse ears. I’m not flying drones tonight, I’m watching them, and I’ll be doing it live tonight at Disneyland Paris. While most folks are in town for the 2024 Paris Olympics, I knew I had to head to Paris before what’s billed as the most mesmerizing drone show ever ends its run on Sept. 30, 2024.
This will be the second drone show I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. The first was also themed to Disney. That was a Star Wars drone show put on by Sky Elements, held after an Oakland A’s baseball game. And perhaps that’s not surprising. I do love Disney just as much as I love drones.
And though this will be my second drone show, I’m planning to see it three times! Yes, I’ll be watching this parade for three nights straight to find out all the right angles to look out for, as well as the best places to watch. Stay tuned for future editions of this Flight Diaries series, as I promise I’ll give you all the tips on watching Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade!
And even if you miss this specific show, expect more going forward. Disneyland Paris has had a fairly long history of drone shows, including past shows like Disney D-Light and Avengers: Power the Night.
The final Sept. 30 performance of Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade might be the last one of this particular show (for now, at least) but expect more shows coming soon. And hey, this show might return itself. After all, the 1970s parade continuously gets updates and returns to Main Street on an unpredictable but still quasi-frequent basis.
What to know about Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade
Photo courtesy of Disney
Brought to life by French drone light show company Dronisos, Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade recreates beloved scenes from the classic Main Street Electrical Parade. That parade debuted in the 1970s, but the 2024 version gets a refresh by way of more than 500 drones. With it, drones fly into the formations of classic characters such as Elliott the Dragon from the 1977 film “Pete’s Dragon.” It’s all synchronized to that same electro-syntho-magnetic soundtrack that was famous in the 1970s.
It runs most nights in the skies over Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris.
The light show drones themselves are modified versions of aircraft from French drone maker Parrot. Parrot is perhaps most famous for its now-defunct Bebop drone. Dronisos made a deal with Parrot to iterate on its platforms to build a drone-show specific product that’s made in France.
Graphic courtesy of Dronisos
Dronisos uses a few Parrot drones as its template. That includes the Mambo (initially marketed as a toy drone), which has since been renamed “Helios.” Though, Helios is an indoor-only light show drone.
Dronisos also uses a reworked Parrot Bebop 2, which it mounted a light to, and renamed it the Zephyr drone. It also uses the more powerful Anafi drone, which it modified to be a new aircraft called Autan.
Photo courtesy of Disney
Not only are the Disneyland Paris drones powerful, but there are a lot of them. Also this summer, Disneyland Paris and Dronisos together set a Guinness World Record for “Largest aerial display of a fictional character formed by multirotors / drones.” As part of the 2024 Bastille Day celebrations (which occur every year on July 14), Dronisos sent a spectacular, tricolor Mickey Mouse head made out of 1,571 drones into the sky.
So with that, I’m signing off to jump on Space Mountain before tonight’s drone show. Au revoir!
This week, skywatchers across the globe have been treated to a dazzling display of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. And as the auroras put on a show this week, some intrepid drone photographers have been there to capture it all.
The aurora borealis, a mesmerizing dance of light across the night sky, is a dream subject for many photographers. Drones can offer an even more unique perspective. And sure, there is no shortage of images of northern lights taken ultra-far north, like in Canada or Norway. Seeing lights in the U.S., even in lower states, is far more rare.
It wasn’t difficult to scour the internet in terms of some amazing aerial photos of the northern lights that were taken in the U.S. sometime over the past week. From YouTube to Instagram, here are some amazing pieces of art to check out:
The Drone Girl has long been a fan of Kara Murphy. In fact, you might have found her guide on making the perfect drone hyperlapse useful! This week, she sent her Mavic 3 drone in the skies to capture a scene of the town showing the lit up skies overhead.
Evan Brodsky is usually photography marine mammals (and has some incredible shots of killer whales and other marine animals taken on his drone). Absolutely check out his account for amazing footage of whales and sharks exhibiting full predator mode. But, the northern lights hit the spot this week.
The views were just as vivid in Seattle, too, as captured on the DJI Mini 4 Pro.
Tips for photographing the northern lights with a drone
If you’re ready to send your drone up in the night sky tonight, here’s what you need to know:
Plan your location using forecasts
Track solar activity and aurora forecasts to predict the strength and location of the lights. Aim for a KP index (a measure of geomagnetic activity) of 5 or higher for better visibility.
In general, escape light pollution. Head to the most remote areas you can get. Bonus points for drone pilots, is that remote areas are less likely to have restricted airspace or to leave you in a situation where you’re flying over people. Though, still confirm that it’s legal to fly in said remote spot. Some spots that might seem ideal to fly a drone in, like national parks, actually ban drones.
Have the right gear
While any camera drone can work to photograph northern lights, prioritize one with a good low-light performance sensor and manual shooting capabilities. Consider factors like battery life for extended flights and wind resistance for high-altitude operations.
In general, any of the drones in my guide to the best camera drones will do. Sure, something like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro with its 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera will be one of your best bets, but even cheaper drones, like the sub-$1,000 DJI Mini 4 Pro will do (as evidenced by the shots above).
Then there’s the post-processing gear, too. Image editing software tends to be your friend here. For example, you’ll likely need to apply noise reduction given the high ISO settings (more on that later).
Dial in your camera settings
This is a situation where you’ll likely need to embrace manual mode.
Set your aperture to its widest setting (lowest f-number) to gather maximum light. ISO will likely need to be cranked up (3200 or higher) to compensate for long exposures, but be mindful of noise. Experiment with shutter speeds ranging from 1-12 seconds, depending on the aurora’s intensity.
If your drone offers it, shoot in RAW to enable more flexibility in post-processing.
And beyond the right camera settings, don’t forget about composition. Include interesting foreground elements like landscapes or landmarks for a sense of perspective. As depicted by some of the images above, timelapse and hyperlapse footage can play well with the northern lights.
This allows you to condense a long period of auroral activity into a captivating video, showcasing the ever-changing nature of the lights.
An aerial photo of the northern lights in Finland. (Photo by Getty Images)
What causes the northern lights?
The phenomenon is a result of a powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by a series of solar flares erupting from the sun. These flares hurled charged particles towards Earth, interacting with our planet’s magnetic field and causing the colorful lights to dance across the high-latitude night sky.
Weather teams expect the storm to continue for several more days, offering a rare opportunity to witness this captivating natural wonder. And for drone photographers, the northern lights offer an opportunity to capture aerial art of the night sky’s palette of colors.
The annual Drone Industry Barometer needs its yearly update. And this 2024 drone survey is hoping to break last year’s milestone record of more than 1,000 responses. To do that, it’s offering survey respondents the chance to win the Avata 2 drone.
Those responses come from people like you — which is why it’s you (yes you) who needs to take this survey. But to make that happen, this DII drone survey first needs responses — from you.
Drone Industry Insights (DII), a German-based analytics firm, runs the survey. It then uses responses to generate DII’s yearly Drone Industry Barometer. That barometer relies on responses from industry experts, participants, drone pilots and advocates. If you’re reading this, at least one of those descriptors is likely you.
To participate in the DII 2024 drone survey, fill out the form linked there. Unlike past years that could take up to 20 minutes completely, this one should be a lot more efficient. Drone Industry Insights said to expect it to take about 8-15 minutes to complete. Fill it out here.
What’s in it for you? For participating, you’ll get:
A free copy of the final Drone Industry Barometer 2024 Report: This is something I look forward to getting every year. For Drone Nerds like me, consider it drone data Christmas.
A chance to win free tickets to drone events: Tickets to many of the biggest 2024 drone events are up for grabs. In fact, the first 200 respondents for the 2024 drone survey will be entered into a “blitz lottery” for tickets to the International Drone Show on 29 May, 2024 in Odense, Denmark. Otherwise, you’ll be entered to win tickets to other big drone conferences, such as Amsterdam Drone Week, Commercial UAV Expo Americas, Japan Drone, Drone show Korea, African Drone Forum and more.
A chance to win a free Avata 2 drone: DII will conduct a drawing among entrants to giveaway the epic Cinewhoop-style racing drone to one lucky winner.
One survey respondent will win a free DJI Avata 2 via a random drawing.
That’s not all. DII is raising the stakes for its 2024 drone survey. According to DII, the companies that participate in its 2024 survey receive priority in the 2024 edition of its annual Drone Market Map. And from there, DII plans to improve its annual map in 2024 by producing individual market maps for each country. That offers increased opportunity for drone companies to gain some traction with a more prominent feature. That’s especially critical for otherwise small drone companies that come from smaller countries.
DII’s annual Drone Industry Barometer serves as a source of insights about drone companies. It digs into their target markets, performance over the past year and expectations for the coming year. And yes, The Drone Girl frequently cites it in our own reporting.
The national ‘drone holiday’ of sorts is orchestrated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It’s all a way to encourage local drone pilots, businesses, first responders using drones, schools and more to come together and fly drones — all with safety in mind.
Groups all around the country put on their own live events to localize the FAA’s promotional campaign. As for me, I headed to my nearest Drone Safety Event, which was a Drone Safety Day & Swap Meet at Treasure Island in San Francisco, California.
Here’s a video recap of the Treasure Island Drone Safety Day 2024 festivities:
The event took place at the GAA Fields on Treasure Island. Those mark one of the best places to fly drones in San Francisco for one key reason: they’re a FAA-approved FRIA site. FRIA is short for FAA-Recognized Identification Areas, which means no Remote ID is required to fly over the GAA fields.
My trusty DJI Avata 2 came along for the ride with me on Drone Safety Day 2024. Beyond capturing some epic footage of the vibrant atmosphere, I also learned some tricks from the pros. Drone events like this are always helpful to pick up tips and tricks. Special thanks to the folks from UAV911 who helped me get comfortable flying with the DJI RC Motion 3. I had kind of been avoiding using it in favor of the DJI FPV Remote Controller 3 on my new Avata 2 drone. I’m just so much more comfortable on the sticks, so I didn’t want to learn the motion controller functions. Turns out, you can learn new tricks!
And it’s absolutely great to learn new tricks from drone pilots of all backgrounds, which you can absolutely do here! That included first responders, photographers, professional pilots, teachers and drone racers. With such a range of drone pilots came a range of drones, from the DJI Spark (quite a throwback) to DJI Matrice drones to the new Skydio X10D. Yep, this weekend was actually my first time seeing the American-made Skydio X10 in person).
Turns out, my Avata 2 wasn’t the only one of its kind there. Despite having launched only a few weeks ago, other San Francisco drone pilots are on top of the latest and greatest, too!
Here’s some of the footage I caught on my Avata 2 drone:
The entire day was a fantastic blend of education, connection, and pure drone-loving fun. A big shoutout to the sponsors. That includes SF Drone School, Drone of San Francisco, Uncrewed Pro, and Remote Optix, who made this event possible.
If you’re a drone enthusiast in the Bay Area and you missed the Drone Safety Day 2024 shindig, well, let’s just say you’ll have major FOMO (fear of missing out) next year. Trust me, mark your calendars early because this is one event you won’t want to miss in 2025!
And if you’re not in the Bay Area, it’s likely there was a Drone Safety Day 2024 event happening near you. Follow along with the FAA’s website to see what you can plan ahead for next year. Can’t wait until next year? Check out my guide to all sorts of other drone events in 2024 happening around the world.
Well, assuming we can fly DJI drones next year. Alas!
Feeling like a bit of a drone noob in a sky full of soaring tech? Maybe you’re a seasoned wingman or wingwoman who just can’t enough of drones? Podcasts are a fantastic way to stay propeller-powered with the latest drone developments, regulations, and industry buzz. So with that, we put together a guide to the best drone podcasts of 2024.
The podcasts in this guide were chosen because they did something notable over the past 12 months. Some released particularly-gripping episodes as of late. Others are must-listens now because they offer up critical news insights that you won’t want to miss now. Some launched over the past few months, meaning these brand-new podcasts offer a fresh take on the drone industry.
This is far from a comprehensive list of all great drone, general aviation or tech podcasts. But, it does call out those that you should consider adding to your podcast feeds this year — that you might not have previously considered. If you have your own recommendations for the best drone podcasts of 2024, leave them in the comments below!
Here’s a deeper dive into the best drone podcasts of 2024, which are listed in alphabetical order:
1a16z Podcast
Hosted by Steph Smith, the a16z Podcast comes from the folks at Andreessen Horowitz, which is a venture capital firm. The podcast discusses all sorts of tech and culture trends, news, and the future. Naturally, it’s a good one for drone pilots to listen to. And, a recent episode was entirely devoted to drones, largely profiling Flock (which is one of a16z’s portfolio companies).
The episode “Drones, Data, and Deterrence: Technology’s Role in Public Safety” dug into the delicate balance between using technology to combat crime versus respecting individual privacy. Originally aired in January 2024, the episode also took a deep look into the use of drones and facial recognition. It featured voices including a16z General Partner David Ulevitch, Flock Safety’s founder, Garrett Langley and Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Give that episode a listen, but subscribe for all sorts of tech discussion that’s neither dumbed down nor subject to hype or outlandish predictions.
How to listen: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, such as Simplecast.
Dawn of Autonomy
If the name “Dawn of Autonomy” feels somewhat familiar to you already, it should. The podcast is essentially a rebrand of the popular Dawn of Drones podcast, which first launched back in 2021.
So why rebrand?
“We’ve already been covering a wide range of emerging technologies on the Dawn of Drones,” said podcast host. Dawn Zoldi. “In the future, drones will be one part of an array of automated systems that will act together harmoniously across the full range of use cases, from delivery to inspection to security services. We wanted the name to reflect the wide range of those technologies to be more inclusive, as well as more precise. Words matter.”
The show’s host, Dawn Zoldi, is a 28-year U.S. Air Force retired Colonel, licensed attorney and certificated Part 107 pilot.
With the more-comprehensive rebrand to all sorts of drone systems, expect discussions on topics including AI, IoT, robotics and drones. Each episode runs roughly 45-minutes, and it’s actually streamed live on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET across all sorts of channels including the official AUVSI YouTube channel, as well as some of Zoldi’s personal channels.
How to listen: Among the many ways to listen? Tune in via Zoldi’s personal YouTube, X, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. Though, you can always replay the recordings if watching live isn’t your jam.
Drone Radio Show
It’s a perennial favorite, but once again, Drone Radio Show makes the list of best drone podcasts of 2024.
Hosted by Randy Goers, Drone Radio Show features forward-looking interviews with some of the top business leaders in drones. For example, an episode from February 2024 interviewed Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby Aviation. Joby Aviation made huge headlines in February when it announced that it had signed a landmark agreement with the Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in the United Arab Emirates. Thus, Drone Radio Show is the ideal place to get the top updates from the players actually involved.
Recent episodes have dug into other unique or controversial topics that’ll give you fresh dinner table discussion fodder. For example, an episode with ANRA’s Amit Ganjoo dug into vertiports. And an interview with Michael Robbins, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), brought in some fresh takes on U.S. competitiveness in the global drone industry — which is one of the top discussion items in the drone industry these days.
How to listen: Stream Drone Radio Show on Soundcloud, Spotify or pretty much wherever else pods are casted.
Drone to $1K podcast
Hosted by the folks behind the Drone Launch Academy, Drone to $1K podcast focuses solely on the business side of drones. If you want to take your hobby into a business, this is your spot to learn how to make money in drones.
Most episodes of the podcast bring on a different guest — each purporting to make at least $1,000 per month. Some make far more than that.
Here’s a super entertaining YouTube webcast, which you might consider a podcast. Airing on Ken Heron’s YouTube channel, it’s called Thursday Night Live, and each episode features a guest speaker. The topics are varied, ranging from speculation around drone bans to FPV discussions with pilot Zoe FPV.
The shows are lengthy, typically running up to two hours (and sometimes longer). They’re all amusing — and sometimes irreverent.
How to listen: The live show runs on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Central time on the Ken Heron YouTube stream, though you can always replay them after the fact.
Sky Elements Drone Shows
This one isn’t really for listening, but more for watching. It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with drone light shows, and there’s no better YouTube channel to indulge in them than Sky Elements Drone Shows.
Sky Elements Drone Shows is one of the largest drone light show companies in the world, and their YouTube channel makes it possible to watch most of their shows — even if you weren’t physically present.
Many videos feature behind-the-scenes or previews with Preston Ward, who serves as Sky Elements’ Chief Pilot.
The Air Up There (Federal Aviation Administration official podcast)
The Air Up There is the Federal Aviation Administration’s official podcast, covering all sorts of aviation topics. Naturally, that includes drones.
Recent drone episodes include one in late December done in tandem with the Drone Racing League Chief Operating Officer Ashley Ellefson. As it turns out, the FAA is collaborating with the Drone Racing League in its efforts to integrate complex drone events (like, well, big drone races) into the National Airspace System.
In that episode, Ellefson explained how you can get involved and even become a drone racing pilot yourself. And for the tech nerds out there, she shared how DRL is thinking about artificial intelligence and it’s impact on the future of this sport.
DJI’s Avata took the drone world by storm in 2022. Its cinewhoop-style design provided an intro for people who know and love DJI’s camera drones to try out first-person view (FPV) drone flying. But much like its camera drones, DJI’s Avata offered up not just stellar image quality but user-friendly features, making it a favorite for both casual flyers and professional videographers alike. But with recent price cuts on the Avata (and yes, even some unverified leaks of a potential new model of the same drone), could a DJI Avata 2 be on the horizon?
If the latest marketing email from DJI is any indication, the answer is yes. DJI subscribers on Tuesday received an email with the subject line “Ready To Roll.”
Opening it the shows an obscured photo of what is definitely drone, and almost definitely a drone with the same form as the original Avata, including the built-in propeller guards. It advertises a product launch set for April 11 at 9 a.m. ET.
Suffice to say, it’s very likely that DJI will launch some sort of successor to the original DJI Avata come April 11. Here’s what we know so far aboutt he next product launch — as well as what we want to see:
DJI Avata 2 preview: everything we hope for — and everything we expect
When I first reviewed the DJI Avata, there was a lot to love. I liked how it seamlessly flew indoors, but was still powerful enough for outdoor flight. The camera was much higher quality than what you’d find in other FPV racing drones, making it a really compelling product for filming scenarios like real estate agents filming indoor fly throughs of properties.
But, the original Avata drone did have some issues. The Motion Controller was supposed to be easier to use, but for people used to the standard joystick controller, it often felt harder to use. The goggles were nice, but had some design flaws, like a dangling battery pack.
DJI solved a few of the problems criticized in the Avata’s August 2022 launch just about this time last year. In March 2023, DJI gave its goggles a massive upgrade, including no more loose connecting cables. It also launched the new DJI RC Motion 2, with an upgraded joystick and accelerator with reverse function.
Still though, there’s more that drone pilots say they’d like to see in a potential Avata 2, or whatever the next generation of the DJI Avata drone is called.
Let’s explore what features we’d love to see in the next iteration of this popular FPV flyer. From there, we’ll dive into the rumors of when we might next see a new version of the DJI Avata drone:
The original DJI Avata drone, reviewed by Sally French, The Drone Girl.
3 features we want to see in the next version of the DJI Avata drone
We could really brainstorm some blue sky features, but here are three realistic sets of upgrades we’d like to see in the next version of a DJI Avata.
An increased emphasis on cinematography
The Avata’s 4K camera is fantastic for what it is. But given how many drone pilots have been leveling up the cinematic quality of FPV drone videos. Just check out these winning videos from the annual FPV Video of the Year contest by AirVuz as an example. Yep, many are shot on DJI drones, including the Avata.
When DJI Avata launched in 2022, it wasn’t totally clear what it was. Was it a camera for filming? Was it a drone for racing? It’s increasingly proven itself best-suited as the former, which is why I’d like to see more features to make filming better than ever.
Of course, a larger image sensor would always be welcome. But, I’m also looking for better filming workflows. That ranges from more internal storage (the current 20 GB is good in a pinch, but not sufficient to rely on), to better in-app editing capabilities to share video quickly from your phone.
Here are some key specs on the original Avata:
1/1.7” CMOS sensor
48 million effective pixels
Films at 4K/60fps and slow-motion footage at 2.7K/50/60/100/120fps.
f/2.8 aperture
Ultra-wide-angle lens with a viewing angle of up to 155°
D-Cinelike color mode for a broader color palette that enables detailed chromatic adjustments
Let’s watch to see where DJI can push and improve.
More FPV freestyle abilities
I mentioned before that sometimes it feels like DJI doesn’t know what it is. Is it a racing drone or a camera drone?
But what if you could also call it an FPV freestyle drone? FPV freestyle is something of an offshoot of drone racing. But instead of flying drones as fast as you can, you fly them in a manner that showcases how many tricks you can do, like flipping, flying upside, or maneuvering through tight spaces. Curious to see an example of a freestyle drone flight? Here’s a clip from Zoe Stumbaugh, one of the world’s top FPV pilots (just note that this was not filmed using a DJI drone).
It’d be fun to see if the Avata could corner the market of FPV freestyle, which is an ultra-fun sport to watch, yet a field of drone flight that DJI has yet to engage in.
And I have good reason to believe it will be capable of freestyle — just look to the ‘trailer’ that DJI released advertising the April 11, 2024 launch. The webpage shows a drone not just racing, but even doing an entire flip.
A push to the usual specs
And my completely unoriginal ask: a general spec upgrade. We generally see this happen in new drone models. But, some things I’d like to see is boosted battery life and longer transmission distance. The current Avata gives us 18 minutes, which is good but not great. And the current transmission distance is 10 kilometers, with a transmission delay of 30 milliseconds. Longer distances and less delay is always welcome.
The original DJI Avata drone, reviewed by Sally French, The Drone Girl.
What makes us think an Avata 2 drone is coming
So why are we talking about the DJI Avata 2 drone now? Beyond the obvious DJI launch page, the rumor mill has been churning. We’ve already seen plenty of leaks (you can find them in a quick Google search on your own!) indicating an April 2024 launch for the Avata 2.
With those leaks, I’ve seen things like an upgraded Motion Controller and upgraded FPV Controller, too. While leaks should always be taken with a grain of salt, they do give us a glimpse into what DJI might be working on.
Alas, since they’re unconfirmed, I won’t link to them here — but you should be able to find them on your own.
Unprecedented discounts on the current DJI Avata model
Then there’s another, clearer reason why we anticipate the Avata getting an upgrade: DJI’s recent price reduction on the Avata. Often, price drops like this can signal the upcoming release of a new model as DJI clears out stock for the new version. It doesn’t hurt that the company, in turn, drums up excitement for the upcoming release.
The original DJI Avata drone, reviewed by Sally French, The Drone Girl.
The DJI Avata Explorer Combo typically goes for $1,278. But now it’s 35% off, selling for $829 on most retailers including Amazon and B&H Photo. That $449 discount is huge. In fact, it’s the biggest we’ve seen. For example, DJI’s most recent sale for President’s Day 2024 priced the DJI Avata Explorer Combo at $889. That puts today’s price at an additional $60 lower than what it was about a month ago.
Given the price keeps dropping, should you wait to buy the DJI Avata? We wish we had a crystal ball and could give a better answer on that one. For starters, we don’t know what DJI’s stock of Avata drones looks like, so it’s tough to say how quickly the company will sell out. But generally speaking, whenever DJI launches a new product, it discontinues production on the old mode. So jump on this deal now if you want one.
As for whether you should wait for a potential new model of the DJI Avata? That’s also hard to say. Sometimes new models are cheaper than their predecessors, but they can also be more expensive — particularly if the specs get an upgrade.
Whether the rumors are true or not, one thing is certain: DJI’s Avata reinvigorated the FPV drone market. The Avata 2, if it comes to fruition, has the potential to be even more impressive. With its combination of power, user-friendliness, and innovative features, the Avata 2 could solidify DJI’s position at the forefront of the FPV revolution.
It could also prove a particularly enticing product now that Remote ID enforcement is in full swing. With that, drones flying outdoors that also weigh 55 grams or more are required to transmit remote ID information (typically via a remote ID module). They also must be registered. But since the rules don’t apply to indoor drone flights, products like the Avata that are specifically designed for indoor flying could be more enticing.
Here at The Drone Girl, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for the official announcement on April 11. I personally can’t wait to see what DJI has in store for the future of FPV flight!
Now comes the fun part! It’s time for you to be an armchair DJI drone designer! If you could pick only one new feature on what we’ll call the DJI Avata 2 drone, which would it be? Leave a comment below!
How many drones are out there flying in the U.S.? How many commercial drone pilots are certified? As the first quarter has just wrapped up, here’s a look at the state of drones in 2024. And we know it’s April 1 — but just know these stats are no joke.
For starters, the number of registered drones alone is nearly 800,000. That means — very likely — there are well over a million drones out there in the U.S., considering not all drones need to be registered. And that doesn’t even consider the toy drones you can buy for, say, $30 at your local Target, Costco or Walmart, or online through Amazon. Those almost certainly aren’t registered. After all, only drones weighing 250 grams or more, or that are flown for commercial purposes, need to be registered.
Here’s a deeper dive into the latest U.S. drone statistics, which the Federal Aviation Administration released on December 31, 2023.
As of the end of December 2023, there are a staggering 790,918 drones registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). That’s more than the entire population of San Francisco.
Though there are slightly more registered recreational pilots vs commercial drones registered, it’s actually a pretty even split. As of Dec. 31, 2023, 416,095 recreational drone pilots had registered. Meanwhile, 369,528 commercial drones had been registered.
Recreational drones in 2024: 416,095 pilots have registered
Though 416,095 pilots have registered with the FAA as of the end of 2023, there are likely far more than 416,095 recreational drones capable of flying in U.S. skies. Here are two reasons why:
For starters, know that the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations covers all drones in that pilot’s inventory. That means that, while 416,095 people have registered as recreational drone pilots, they might have more than one drone. If every recreational drone pilot owned, say, two drones, then that means there are actually more than 832,000 recreational drones out there.
And then, as stated above, only drones that weigh 250 grams or more (or that are flown for commercial purposes) must be registered. And there are surprisingly many high-quality camera drones that weigh less than 250 grams, including the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Autel Evo Nano drone.
Commercial drones in 2024: 369,528 registered drones
It used to be that, like recreational drone piloting, commercial pilots would register once and then use that same number to affix on all the drones in their fleet. That changed with the implementation of Remote ID.
Since September 16, 2023, Part 107 drone pilots have generally been expected to fly in a Remote ID-compliant manner. In the case of Part 107 flights, the FAA requires that commercial drone pilots must each individual Remote ID device module separately within their inventory and each device will get a unique registration number.
Many drones have built-in Remote ID modules. Though, some pilots use separate Remote ID broadcast modules. That means, rather than scribbling the same registration number on all your drones as hobby pilots do, commercial pilots need a separate number for each drone (if it has a built-in Remote ID module) or individual Remote ID module.
But here’s where the data gets interesting. That 369,528 figure looks at commercial drones registered as of Dec. 31, 2023. But while Remote ID technically went into effect on Sept. 16, 2023, the FAA didn’t begin enforcing Remote ID rules until March 16, 2024.
That very likely means that drone pilots hadn’t registered their entirely fleets individually before Dec. 31. But now that we’re past March 16, it’s very likely that 369,528 will go way up, given that commercial operators will now have to register each aircraft in their fleet individually.
What about paper registrations?
And no, that doesn’t add up to 790,918. That’s because the remaining 5,295 registrations are actually paper registrations.
The FAA requires the paper (N-number) registration process if:
Your unmanned aircraft is 55 pounds or greater.
You want to qualify a small unmanned aircraft for operation outside the United States.
You hold title to an aircraft in trust.
The small unmanned aircraft owner uses a voting trust to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements.
If you’re a drone pilot whose drones don’t contribute to the stats above, you’re likely unregistered. Registration is easy and it’s not too expensive — assuming you don’t have a giant fleet of drones.
FAA drone registration requirements
The FAA registration requirements are pretty straightforward. You must be:
13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the drone)
A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
For foreign operators, FAA will consider the certificate issued to be a recognition of ownership rather than a certificate of U.S. aircraft registration.
FAA drone registration fees
The fee might be a big contributing factor in why there are so many more drones flying out there than what the FAA has accounted for.
If you’re flying under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations, you’ll owe a registration fee of $5. It covers all drones in your inventory and is valid for three years, upon which you must renew.
If you’re flying under Part 107, you’ll owe a registration fee of $5 per drone. Again, it’s valid for three years, upon which you must renew. $5 per drone might not seem to be of a deal until you consider something like light show drones. A single light show typically has at least 100 drones, but even 500 is relatively common. That would entail $500 in registration fees alone for the 100-drone show, or $2,500 for the 500-drone show.
How to register your drone
A screenshot of the FAADroneZone website where you can select to ‘Launch Drone Owners and Pilots Dashboard.’
Whether registering as a recreational or professional pilot, all drone pilots need to visit the official FAADroneZone website to register. From there, click on the button labeled “Launch Drone Owners and Pilots Dashboard” and follow the steps to register from there. (The steps are slightly different whether you visit the Recreational Flyer Dashboard versus the Part 107 Dashboard).
You’ll likely need to click “Add Device” if you’re registering for the first time. When you do that, you’ll be prompted to enter details about your drone such as the manufacturer, model and serial number.
Don’t register at any other website. Any other website purporting to help you register your drone is very likely a scam.
Registered pilots in the U.S.
Those are the figures for registered drones, but what about actual pilots?
While 369,528 commercial drones are registered, 368,604 pilots are certified. By those figures, there would be 1.003 commercial drones for every one certified commercial drone.
And while 416,095 recreational drones are registered, 667,165 TRUST Certificates have been issued. The FAA issues TRUST Certificates to recreational flyers via a free online course. All recreational drone operators flying drones that weigh between 0.55 lbs and 55 lbs (250 grams and 24 kilograms) must take the TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test). TRUST entails a simple, online course that takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Most providers have a test at the end of the hour training, which allows for unlimited attempts to pass.
Interestingly, by those metrics, there are just 0.624 drones out there for every certified TRUST pilot. How can that be? Surely people don’t take TRUST without actually owning a drone.
There are a few possible explanations. For starters, some drone pilots might register as a Part 107 pilot and have taken the TRUST test. I certainly did. (I passed the Part 107 test within the first couple months of it becoming available. Then I passed the TRUST test on the first day it was offered — all in the name of reporting research!).
Secondly, many pilots might have taken the TRUST test, but not actually have registered their drone. While TRUST is free, registering costs $5. Because enforcement standards around registration have been fairly vague, some drone pilots might not feel the need to be compliant, despite it being the law.
Recreational vs. commercial drone pilots
What does seem to make sense is the ratio of recreational vs. commercial drone pilots. For every one certified commercial drone pilot, there are 1.81 hobby pilots.
It makes sense that 667,165 people would have passed the simple TRUST online course, while just 368,604 pilots are Part 107 certified. Getting your drone pilot’s license under Part 107 is a much tougher process, which requires an in-person, written exam. And common sense alone likely won’t get you a passing score. Most people enroll in an online Part 107 course, which can also cost many hundreds of dollars on its own.
If you’re reading this, you’re very-likely already certified. Carrying that card around in your wallet indicating you passed is a badge of honor. The question is: have you registered your drone yet? It’s the law, so we sure hope you did.
As drone delivery becomes more prevalent in the United States, some of your favorite restaurants are joining the trend. Among the biggest names? Wendy’s, which announced this month that it was teaming up with delivery giant DoorDash and Google-sibling drone delivery provider Wing.
Now, residents of Christiansburg, Virginia can get Wendy’s Frosties via drone. But that’s not the only sort of fast food options that drones are flying through the skies. On the healthier end, California-based restaurant Mendocino Farms announced a partnership with Zipline in 2023 to deliver its gourmet sandwiches and salads to customers via drone.
So why are restaurants like Wendy’s or Mendocino looking to drone delivery companies? For starters, off-premise business for restaurants has been growing since the pandemic — and drones can bring that food off-premises.
Another reason is sustainability. Drones offer up to 94% lower energy consumption per package than other vehicles, providing a greener alternative for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Lastly, it’s pure publicity. People probably aren’t posting a video on social media of their food being delivered in a car, but they certainly might if it’s being delivered by a drone.
While Mendocino Farms’ drone delivery service isn’t expected to begin until 2025 there’s no shortage of other restaurants that have already partnered with drone delivery services like Zipline, Flytrex, Wing, and Droneup — and many of them offer drone deliveries today.
These 10 popular restaurants have embraced this futuristic delivery method. From healthy salads to indulgent cupcakes, there’s something for everyone:
1. Sweetgreen
Cities served: Various locations in California
Service provider: Zipline
For health-conscious diners, Sweetgreen’s partnership with Zipline is a game changer. Soon, you’ll be able to get your favorite nutritious bowls delivered swiftly from the sky. Sweetgreen is partnering with Zipline for the purposes of sustainability. Sweetgreen has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2027.
2. Chick-fil-A
Cities served: Granbury, Texas, various suburbs in NC, Brandon, FL and others
Service provider: Flytrex & DroneUp
If you are anything like me, you have spent a considerable amount of time waiting in the Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru line. You can skip the line for your chicken sandwich and Chick-fil-A sauce and have it drone delivered right to your door. Lucky for residents in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida, Chick-fil-A partners with not one, but two different drone delivery services.
3. Brugh Coffee Co
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
I don’t want to go anywhere before I have my morning coffee. So, why not get the coffee delivered by drone? No human interaction is needed. Brugh Coffee was one of the first coffee providers to send a cup of coffee via drone to a customer. Brugh Coffee partners with Wing, a drone delivery company owned by Google parent company Alphabet, to deliver their coffee.
4. Chili’s
Cities served: Granbury, Texas, and various suburbs in NC
Service provider: Flytrex
Chili’s diverse menu of American cuisine is now available for drone delivery. Flytrex makes it possible to enjoy Chili’s classics from the comfort of your home. The drone delievery company focuses its delivery in the US suburbs. Flytrex has proven convenient for those working from home. Just ask Mike Shanklin, who gets drone delivery 3-4x a week.
5. Sugar Magnolia
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
For those in Christiansburg, Virginia, Sugar Magnolia’s delightful baked goods and sweets are just a drone away with Wing’s innovative delivery service. Sugar Magnolia was part of the original partnership when Wing opened up in Christiansburg, Virginia, along with FedEx and Walgreens. Sugar Magnolia had only been open for 15 months when they began their partnership.
Photo courtesy of Zipline
6. Pagliacci Pizza
Cities served: Various locations in Seattle
Service provider: Zipline
Bring a little excitement to Friday pizza night via Pagliacci Pizza, which offers drone delivery through Zipline. Pagliacci Pizza says drones are more sustainable and help alleviate drive times during peak hours. Zipline designed a special box that fits two 13-inch pizzas, a salad, and a couple of sodas.
7. Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
Authentic Mexican cuisine from Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant is delivered by drones in Virginia, with burritos ranking among the most popular orders. Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant was one of the first ‘hot food’ places to partner with Wing, due to its location. It is located right next to Wing’s headquarters, so employees are able to walk the food over to the hub to be delivered.
8. Jersey Mike’s
Cities served: Granbury, Texas, and various suburbs in NC
Service provider: Flytrex
Jersey Mike’s famous subs are a drone flight away in North Carolina. Jersey Mike’s Subs was one of Flytrex’s national chain partnerships. Customers in the service area can now order to front and backyards, with a flight time of just five minutes.
9. Gigi’s Cupcakes
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
Satisfy your sweet tooth with Gigi’s Cupcakes, available for drone delivery through Wing. You can order Gigi’s Cupcakes and other restaurants through Wing’s delivery app, just like you would for UberEats.
Photo courtesy of Wendy’s
10. Wendy’s
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
Wendy’s is a newcomer on the list, having joined forces with Wing in March 2024 as the first restaurant to participate in Wing’s U.S. partnership with DoorDash. Alas, you can finally get that Frosty or juicy Baconator delivered by a drone. Read more about Wendy’s drone delivery here.
Want more awesome posts like this? Consider making a donation — either one-time or recurring — to keep this website running. It helps ensure content like this gets delivered to your inbox every day!
The solar eclipse is coming soon, and budding photographers are waiting to document it. But even better than just a standard camera is if you photograph the solar eclipse with a drone. After all, witnessing the sun momentarily veiled by the moon offers a dramatic celestial display.
On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will grace North America, offering drone photographers in the U.S. a prime opportunity to take their eclip se photography to new heights. Here’s everything you need to know about photographing an eclipse (and more specifically, how to photograph the solar eclipse with a drone), as well as the best places in the U.S. to view the eclipse, and when to watch.
With the right plan, settings and gear, you could create an aerial timelapse, like this epic video from the 2019 solar eclipse.
How to photograph a solar eclipse
Before diving into the aerial realm, let’s establish some foundational eclipse photography practices. Regardless of camera choice, safety is paramount.
Never look directly at the sun
If there’s one takeaway from this article, it’s purchasing eclipse glasses.
Don’t look at the sun unprotected, even during a partial eclipse. This will result in damage to your eyesight, including high potential for permanent damage and even blindness.
To protect your own eyeballs, wear eclipse glasses. These are super cheap — you can typically find a 6-pack of eclipse glasses for less than $10 on big retailer sites like Amazon or B&H Photo. Ensure the pair you buy is ISO-certified to the 12312-2 standard. That means it blocks 100% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation while filtering out greater than 99.99% of intense visible light, making it safe for direct solar viewing.
Get the right gear
Beyond those glasses for you, you’ll need filters for your camera. And while all photographers will need special filters, drone photographers are up to an especial challenge. Here’s what you’ll need:
Invest in a solar filter
Now that you’ve protected your eyes, you’ll need to invest in a proper solar filter specifically designed for your camera lens. These filters dramatically reduce the sun’s intensity and protecting your camera sensor. If you are looking through the rangefinder (though you likely wouldn’t with a drone), this would also be critical in protecting your eyesight. Even still, don’t look through an unfiltered digital camera using its live view, as you’re still focusing concentrated, unfiltered sunlight through your camera’s sensor.
Depending on your camera, solar filters usually cost between $50 and $100, though you can even find cheaper (aka lower quality) models, which might not be terrible if you intend to use it just once anyway.
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro with Freewell ND2000 Filter.
Some solar filters are designed for specific lens sizes. However, other cheaper filters are a bit of a one-size-fits-all situation. With most drones, you’ll likely need to rely on one of those one-size-fits all filters, though there are a few custom filters that DO work for certain drones.
Neutral density (ND) filters are a commonplace tool used on all sorts of cameras, but especially drone cameras, when shooting in bright situations like direct sunlight. They essentially act like sunglasses for your drone, reducing the light that enters the camera. The right ND filter can dramatically improve your photo quality.
A solar filter is effectively a type of ND filter, albeit much, much darker. If you don’t have a solar filter (it doesn’t fit your drone’s camera lens, you can’t get your hands on one in time, or it’s just too expensive), your next best bet is filming with the darkest ND filter you have (which means picking one with a higher stop). An 8-stop is good. A 10-stop is better.
For example, DJI’s standard Mini 4 Pro filter set includes three filters: ND16, ND64 and ND256. With that, an ND16 would reduce light by four stops (or 1/16). Meanwhile, the ND256 filter is a neutral density filter that reduces exposure by 8 stops.
A solar filter is better, but a ND filter might at least be your best alternative. It’s far more ideal to have a real solar filter (so order one if you can). That said, a 16-stop or higher filter might at least be sufficient (but again, use these at your own risk).
Pay attention to your camera settings
A filter alone is not enough to make your photos work. Not only must you pay attention to your camera settings, but you need to get them right in tandem with your filter. When photographing an eclipse, plan to switch your camera to manual mode. And, be prepared to adjust exposure settings based on the phase of the eclipse.
When it comes to exposure, bracketing is your friend. The rapid change in light levels during the eclipse demands a flexible approach.
Take multiple shots at varying exposures to ensure you capture the perfect balance between the darkened sun and the surrounding landscape.
What about a hyperlapse?
For an even more mesmerizing effect, consider creating a hyperlapse of the eclipse. A hyperlapse condenses time, allowing you to compress the entire eclipse into a captivating video sequence, perfect for capturing the sun’s dramatic unveiling. Here’s how to tailor a drone hyperlapse specifically for the eclipse:
Capture the progression: The key to an eclipse hyperlapse is capturing frames throughout the entire event, from the first sliver of the moon covering the sun to the peak of the eclipse and back.
Adjust intervals: During totality, when the sun is completely obscured (within the path of totality), you can extend the capture interval to capture the dramatic change in light on the landscape. Conversely, during the partial phases, shorten the capture interval to capture the moon’s steady progression across the sun’s face. This will create a smooth transition effect in the final video.
Consider your flight path: You have a few flight path options. For example, you could program a course lock hyperlapse that tracks the sun’s movement across the sky. That would result in a hyperlapse showcasing the sun seemingly shrinking as the moon covers it.
You might also ditch shooting the actual sun. Focusing your hyperlapse on the land below could allow you to show the moon’s shadow arriving. Everyone else will have their cameras pointed at the sun anyway, so let your drone get a view that no one else could possibly get. Plus, this angle also enables you to avoid having to shoot your drone straight into the sun!
Plan your flight
Now, let’s address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by drone photography during an eclipse. Here’s what you need to consider:
Get a spotter to maintain line of sight: Unlike a grounded camera, maintaining a visual on your drone while looking up at the eclipse can be tricky. Consider using a spotter to help you keep track of the drone’s position, especially during critical moments like totality. And, make sure your spotter has those eclipse glasses, too.
Have sufficient battery power: Be mindful of battery life, especially during longer eclipses. Factor in pre-flight checks, positioning, and the actual capture time when calculating your flight duration. Remember, you’ll need enough battery power for a safe return landing.
Know where it’s legal to fly: Know it’s legal to fly your drone in your planned destination. For example, you’ll need permits if flying within a National Park or other restricted airspace. Not sure if you can legally fly in a specific area? Check out my guide to where you can fly drones legally.
Map your flight path: Plan your flight path beforehand, taking into account wind direction and potential obstacles. Aim for a position that offers a clear view of the eclipse and the surrounding landscape you wish to capture.
Practice: With a solar eclipse, you get one shot. Before the big day, practice flying your drone in similar conditions, particularly focusing on maintaining control while looking upwards.
Consider multiple drones: If you’re looking for an excuse to buy a new drone, this might be it. If you want to have the drone in the air for the full eclipse, you’d need that solar filter. However, a filter is not needed when the sun is completely obscured by the moon during the totality portion of a total solar eclipse. Given that, it might also make sense to have a drone without the filter in the air, too.
And of course, plan for totality. Depending on where you are, totality might not last for very long (perhaps not even more than a minute or two). Factor this limited window into your overall flight time and — if relevant — your hyperlapse settings.
The best place to fly drones during the April 2024 solar eclipse
This specific eclipse on April 8 will be a partial solar eclipse, visible across most of North America. The path of totality, where the moon completely covers the sun, will stretch diagonally from Texas to Maine. Those positioned within this path will witness the most dramatic light changes.
Expect totality to begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. local time (CT) and to end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. local time (ET). Outside of the U.S., expect great views on Mexico’s Pacific Coast at about 11:07 a.m. local time (PT). Here are some major cities, and the time of partial eclipse to totality, according to NASA:
Location
Partial Begins
Totality Begins
Maximum
Totality Ends
Partial Ends
Dallas, Texas
12:23 p.m. CDT
1:40 p.m. CDT
1:42 p.m. CDT
1:44 p.m. CDT
3:02 p.m. CDT
Idabel, Oklahoma
12:28 p.m. CDT
1:45 p.m. CDT
1:47 p.m. CDT
1:49 p.m. CDT
3:06 p.m. CDT
Little Rock, Arkansas
12:33 p.m. CDT
1:51 p.m. CDT
1:52 p.m. CDT
1:54 p.m. CDT
3:11 p.m. CDT
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
12:39 p.m. CDT
1:56 p.m. CDT
1:56 p.m. CDT
2:00 p.m. CDT
3:15 p.m. CDT
Paducah, Kentucky
12:42 p.m. CDT
2:00 p.m. CDT
2:01 p.m. CDT
2:02 p.m. CDT
3:18 p.m. CDT
Carbondale, Illinois
12:42 p.m. CDT
1:59 p.m. CDT
2:01 p.m. CDT
2:03 p.m. CDT
3:18 p.m. CDT
Evansville, Indiana
12:45 p.m. CDT
2:02 p.m. CDT
2:04 p.m. CDT
2:05 p.m. CDT
3:20 p.m. CDT
Cleveland, Ohio
1:59 p.m. EDT
3:13 p.m. EDT
3:15 p.m. EDT
3:17 p.m. EDT
4:29 p.m. EDT
Erie, Pennsylvania
2:02 p.m. EDT
3:16 p.m. EDT
3:18 p.m. EDT
3:20 p.m. EDT
4:30 p.m. EDT
Buffalo, New York
2:04 p.m. EDT
3:18 p.m. EDT
3:20 p.m. EDT
3:22 p.m. EDT
4:32 p.m. EDT
Burlington, Vermont
2:14 p.m. EDT
3:26 p.m. EDT
3:27 p.m. EDT
3:29 p.m. EDT
4:37 p.m. EDT
Lancaster, New Hampshire
2:16 p.m. EDT
3:27 p.m. EDT
3:29 p.m. EDT
3:30 p.m. EDT
4:38 p.m. EDT
Caribou, Maine
2:22 p.m. EDT
3:32 p.m. EDT
3:33 p.m. EDT
3:34 p.m. EDT
4:40 p.m. EDT
Just know that if you haven’t planned your travels to those major areas yet, don’t wait. Hotels are filling up. For example, Chase Travel data shows that Dallas is experiencing a 9.8x year-over-year increase in hotel travel during the solar eclipse. Meanwhile, there’s a 7.3x year-over-year increase in hotel bookings to San Antonio during the solar eclipse.
Of course, while Texas is a huge spot to watch the eclipse, consider other destinations, such as upstate New York. The Adirondacks sit in the path of totality of the eclipse, creating the perfect setting to view the eclipse.
The 2012 annular eclipse with west of Lubbock, Texas.
You might also watch it aboard a cruise (check with your cruise operator to ensure drones are okay to bring aboard). Major cruise ship operators including Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are running cruises with routes specifically around the path of totality. For example, on Holland America’s sailing that departs March 30 from San Diego, cruisers will watch it from the sea outside of Mazatlán, Mexico.
According to travel-booking company Navan, the most popular eclipse-watching locations on the path include:
Austin, TX
Dallas TX
Columbus, OH
Montreal, QB
Indianapolis
When are the next big eclipse events?
If you’re not able to film the April 8 eclipse with a drone, there are other big events coming up.
Expect another solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 in the Arctic, which could be a compelling place to fly (yes, I’ve flown drones in the Arctic, too). Expedition cruises in the Arctic are setting their schedules and routes early to align in the path of totality for that August 2026 solar eclipse. For example, AdventureSmith Explorations is running a 14-day Arctic trip featuring astrophysicist Paul Sutter as a special guest. Meanwhile, you could head from Spitsbergen to Northeast Greenland on another 14-day offering from the same company.
How many female drone pilots are out there in the United States in 2024?
The Federal Aviation Administration in March 2024 updated its U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics report. The FAA updates the report annually with detailed airmen statistics not published in other FAA reports. And the data provides some pretty interesting insight about the number of female drone pilots in the U.S. It also sheds light on the number of female commercial and air transport pilots, too).
This fresh batch of data released on March 7, 2024 shows that there were 30,935 female pilots in the U.S. in 2023 (which is the most recent set of data). That’s a huge increase from the figure reported in 2023. Then, the FAA said there were 24,293 female drone pilots in the U.S. as of 2022.
And the share of female, remote pilots is increasing, too. According to the 2023 data, women made up 7.9% of all certified remote pilots. But as of the new 2024 data, they make up 8.39%.
The statistics that show how many female drone pilots exist come from broader data about airmen (both pilot and non-pilot). The FAA obtained the data through official airmen certification records maintained at FAA’s Aeronautical Center, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Then another group Women and Drones, which is an online drone community and support network, analyzed the data. Women and Drones also runs the annual Women in Emerging Aviation Technologies Awards, a related Hall of Fame, an annual in-person summit and its own drone diversity study, among other projects.
Women and Drones compiled a neat graphic visualizing the data. (Graphic courtesy of Women and Drones)
Women and Drones did all sorts of number crunching to better dig into what the female drone pilot area looks like. The study also showed where within the U.S. most women drone pilots are located.
Where do female drone pilots live?
The Women and Drones analysis broke out number of female drone pilots by state. It turns out that California (which is where I live!) is home to the most female drone pilots of any U.S. state. These three states have the most female drone pilots, according to the Women and Drones analysis of FAA data:
California: 3,128
Texas: 2,651
Florida: 2,559
Meanwhile, these three U.S. states have the fewest female drone pilots, according to the Women and Drones analysis of FAA data:
Of course, note that the figures analyzing how many female drone pilots by state do somewhat represent a population map. Given that, California at No. 1 shouldn’t be all that surprising. After all, California is the most populous state, followed by Texas at No. 2 and Florida at No. 3. That’s the exact same ranking in terms of female drone pilots. That said, the least-populated states don’t necessarily have the fewest drone pilots. Wyoming is the least-populated state, but still has 108 female drone pilots. Then comes Vermont, which unsurprisingly has few drone pilots. But the third least-populated state, Alaska, has surprisingly many female drone pilots — 333 to be exact.
The rate of female drone pilots is increasing
(Graphic courtesy of Women and Drones)
Women and Drones also broke out the average age of female drone pilots. Despite the stereotype that tech is for the youths, the average female drone pilot is aged 38.
There are also more female drone pilots than the number of female commercial pilots and air transport pilots combined.
Again, this metric might be perhaps unsurprising as the barrier to entry to become a drone pilot is far lower. Experts describe the Part 107 test to earn your Remote Pilot Certificate as a pared-down version of the written test pilots must take to be able to fly piloted aircraft. There’s also a practical component to fly piloted aircraft in the U.S. That’s not the case for drone pilots (though other countries such as Canada do have a practical component for drone pilots, too).
Another encouraging metric? The number of female drone pilots in the U.S. is growing.
Year
Number of female drone pilots
Overall number of drone pilots
% of female drone pilots
2016
793
20,362
3.9%
2017
3,462
69,166
5%
2018
6,188
106,321
5.8%
2019
10,818
160,302
6.7%
2020
14,882
206,322
7.2%
2021
19,366
254,587
7.6%
2022
24,293
304,256
7.9%
2023
30,935
368,633
8.39%
While women drone pilots are still a small minority at just 8.4%, that number has increased every single year since the data has been tracked. In 2016, just 3.9% of all drone pilots are women, but that number is growing.
On a percentage basis, the rate of all drone pilots who are women has doubled. And on a numbers basis, it has increased by about 30x. The rate of overall drone pilots has increased by a still-impressive, but not nearly as high 15x.
In short, female drone pilots are joining in the industry at a far faster rate than men these days.
