Drones

Beth Flippo’s vision: how the CEO of Drone Express is reshaping the future of delivery

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When most people think of drone delivery, they imagine a futuristic landscape filled with buzzing devices dropping off packages from global online retailers. But for Beth Flippo, CEO of Drone Express, the future of drone delivery is about going back to the basics.

She believes drone delivery can empower local businesses, and provide a service that brings us closer to the way things used to be: shopping local, supporting our neighborhood stores, and getting back to the kitchen table with fresher, higher-quality goods.

At The Drone Girl, we had the chance to sit down with Beth Flippo to talk about Drone Express, the future of drone delivery, and what it’s like being a CEO in a male-dominated field. 

Do you know an awesome drone girl I should profile? Contact me here.

Caroline Dobrez: Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself and what led you to drones? 

Beth Flippo: I’m an engineer by trade—an embedded software developer. My background is in electronics and computer science, which is where embedded systems come into play. I’ve always loved working with mobile platforms and building custom operating systems for small circuit boards. I like to think of myself as a bit of a modern-day Frankenstein, bringing these little boards to life.

I actually got into drones almost by accident. My family’s business was in defense contracting, and we developed a wireless mesh network to help drones communicate with each other in the sky. We initially thought the military would be interested, but instead, drone delivery companies started reaching out. They needed a more affordable solution, and we realized we could fill that gap in the market.

Beth Flippo
Photo courtesy of Beth Flippo

Caroline Dobrez: I imagine this is how Drone Express came to be.

Beth Flippo: Absolutely. After we saw the interest in our mesh network, I started focusing on grocery chains as potential customers. Kroger stood out to me because their stores are right in the heart of neighborhoods—perfect for drone delivery. After about a year of persistence, we secured a contract with them. From there, things moved quickly. We went straight to the FAA to get the necessary certifications, which was a bold move at the time. Now, we’re one of only six companies in the U.S. with a Part 135 air carrier license, which allows us to legally fly drones for delivery.

We’ve also been growing our team, which is still small but mighty—23 people who each do the job of ten. After Kroger, we easily attracted other big names like Papa John’s. Retailers are really excited about drone delivery because it gives them a competitive edge over online retailers.

CD:  That’s impressive. So, where are you currently operating, and what’s next for Drone Express?

BF: We’re about to go live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We’ve built a new marketplace app where consumers can shop from local merchants, similar to Instacart or DoorDash, but with drones delivering the goods. What’s amazing about drone delivery is how much cheaper and faster it is compared to traditional delivery methods. We’re offering unlimited deliveries for $5.99 a month with no minimum order quantity, which is a game-changer for local businesses.

CD: What else sets Drone Express apart from other drone delivery services?

BF: Our FAA certification definitely sets us apart, but what really makes us unique is our flexibility. Unlike Amazon or Google, we’re small and nimble. We can pivot quickly to meet demand, and our marketplace model is unique in the industry. We’re not just lining up behind big names like Walmart; we’re creating something new that’s driven by consumer demand.

Beth Flippo
(Photo courtesy of Beth Flippo)

CD: Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for the drone delivery industry?

BF: The biggest opportunity is the shift in consumer behavior. The demand for drone delivery is there, especially after the pandemic. The biggest challenge, though, is overcoming safety concerns. People are still nervous about drones flying overhead, but our goal is to demonstrate that drones can be just as safe, if not safer, than traditional aviation.

But what excites me most about drone delivery is how it can bring us back to a simpler, more localized way of shopping. Imagine being able to order fresh meat from your local butcher, cheese from the neighborhood dairy shop, or bread from the bakery down the street—and have it delivered within minutes. It’s about hyper-local commerce, something we’ve lost with the rise of online shopping giants like Amazon. 

Drone delivery can help revive Main Street by giving small businesses a cost-effective way to compete, offering faster delivery times without the massive infrastructure of big warehouses and fleets of trucks. This is about more than convenience; it’s about strengthening communities and keeping our money where it matters—supporting local jobs, local economies, and local traditions.

CD: It’s clear you’re passionate about supporting local businesses. Can you talk a little about the technology behind Drone Express?

BF: Our technology is pretty advanced. We’ve developed a mesh network that allows our drones to communicate and coordinate with each other in real-time, without needing to connect back to a central hub. We’re also using AI, in partnership with Microsoft, to make our drones smarter. They can analyze their surroundings and determine the safest place to drop a package, which is a huge leap forward in terms of safety and efficiency.

CD: It’s exciting to think about how this technology could reshape our everyday lives. I also want to touch on your experience as a female CEO in a male-dominated industry. How do you lead, and what’s important to you in this space?

BF: Being a female CEO in both tech and aviation is unique. Early in my career, I felt the pressure to blend in and act like one of the guys. But when I started Drone Express, I decided to embrace my femininity. Our office even has a pink couch! I’ve made it a point to promote women within the company and create a supportive environment. I believe the future is female, and I’m proud to lead a company that reflects that.

CD: I love that. Finally, what advice would you give to young women who are looking to enter the drone, tech, or aviation industries?

BF: Don’t be afraid to be the only woman in the room. It can be intimidating, but it’s worth it. My career path started with a programming class in high school that I initially didn’t want to take, but a teacher encouraged me to try it out. That one decision changed my life. So, lean into those uncomfortable spaces and know that you’re something special if you can thrive in them.

You can connect with Beth Flippo on Linkedin. Do you know an awesome drone girl I should profile? Contact me here.

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BAE Systems Acquires Electronic Warfare Company Kirintec

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– BAE Systems has acquired Kirintec, an innovative UK cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA) company, which specialises in counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), counter-Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) and electronic warfare products and solutions. Kirintec’s battle-proven technology protects military platforms and personnel from cyber and electromagnetic attacks. The open architecture of the products enables them to work […]

EASA Launches Public Consultation for Proposals on Drone Airworthiness and Certification

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The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) 2024-06 to consult aviation stakeholders and citizens on draft proposals for the initial and continuing airworthiness of certified unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). EASA proposes amendments to the existing acceptable means of compliance and guidance material (AMC & GM) to the UAS Regulations and […]

MARSS Celebrates 8-Year Partnership with Echodyne

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At the SOFEX exhibition, MARSS celebrated its long partnership with Echodyne – one of the world’s most trusted radar providers for CUAS, situational awareness and safer solutions. MARSS has worked with Echodyne for over eight years, being one of its original test partners for its first commercial products. In the years since, the partnership has […]

Ukraine Develops New Combat Drone for Precision Bombing

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A Ukrainian development team has developed a new combat drone designed to enhance the capabilities of the country’s defense forces. The unmanned aerial vehicle, named REX, was created by Armadrone in response to the operational needs and combat experience of Ukrainian military personnel, according to a Facebook post by the Brave Inventors platform. The REX […]

FAA Proposed $341,413 in Civil Penalties Against Drone Operators

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed $341,413 in civil penalties against 27 people who violated federal drone regulations. The FAA issued the fines between October 2022 and June 2024. Drone operators who conduct unsafe or unauthorized operations face fines up to $75,000 per violation, an increase included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. The FAA […]

DJI Neo versus HOVERAir X1: which hand-launch drone is best?

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The consumer drone world has three new hand-launch drones to pick from — all of which were announced in the past two weeks.

At the end of August 2024, ZeroZero Robotics announced the HOVERAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX. Both are upgraded versions of the older model, the HoverAir X1. (For now, they’re not actually shipping — just available for pre-order).

And a couple weeks later — in early September — DJI announced the Neo drone. Like the HOVERAir drones, Neo is also not yet shipping in the U.S. at least. Though it’s already shipping in other countries, it’s only around now for pre-order. Neo is set to ship Oct. 6.

The drones have some similarities. Both are hand-launch style, with an emphasis on selfie flying. Additionally, both are made by Chinese drone companies. And perhapps most critically? Both are ultra-lightweight, coming in well below the critical sub-250-gram drone weight. That exempts them from many types of regulation.

But beyond that, they’re actually fairly different. DJI Neo is the cheapest of the bunch. And sure, DJI has a tendency to undercut the competition, but a big factor in the lower price tag is that Neo has (for the most part) inferior specs relative to the HOVERAir X1 offerings.

I’ve extensively covered the best, affordable DJI drones across my site already, so I’ll spare you the comparisons between DJI Neo versus other DJI drones.

Sally French, The Drone Girl, flies the HOVERAirX1 PROMAX.
Sally French, The Drone Girl, flies the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX.

But given their hand-launch similarities, Neo and the HOVERAir X1 drones have left shoppers wondering which of these sets of drones are best. With that, here’s a comparison between DJI versus the HOVERAir X1 lineup, which includes the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX, HOVERAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 drones:

DJI Neo versus HOVERAir X1 drones: how to choose

All four hand-launch drones, compared

Here’s a look at these four drones at a glance:

 DJI Neo HOVERAir X1  HOVERAir X1 PRO  HOVERAir X1 PROMAX
Use Case  Selfies, people who want to fly indoors, casual users Selfies, people who want to fly indoors, casual users Sports like cycling or snow sports Professional video where image quality is key, and filming in complex environments
MSRP  From $199 From $349  From $499  From $699
Video Resolution 4K/30 fps 2.7K@30fps 1080P@60fps 4K@60fps 1080P@120fps (Slo-mo) 8K@30fps 4K@120fps | 10-bit HLG
Active collision detection – – Active rear-side collision
detection (Proximity
sensor)		 Vision-based rear-side collision
detection
Weight 165 grams 125 grams 191.5 grams 192.5 grams
Dimensions (LxWxH) 130×157×48.5 mm 127×86×31 mm 149×105×34 mm 149×105×34 mm
Max follow speed 21.6 km/h (normal mode) 25 km/h 42 km/h 42 km/h
Transmission distance 50 meters (effective operating range) 30 meters (phone app) 500 meters (phone app) or 1 km (beacon controller) 500 meters (phone app) or 1 km (beacon controller)
Max flight time 18 minutes 11.5 minutes 16 minutes 16 minutes
Wind resistance Level 4 (8 m/s) Level 4 (7.9 m/s) Level 5 (10.7 m/s) Level 5 (10.7 m/s)

Key differences between DJI Neo versus HoverAir X1 drones

I’ve dug deep into these drones on their own on separate pages. Check out my ultimate guide to the DJI Neo and my guide to the new HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX drones.

Since the DJI Neo isn’t out yet, that guide is fully based on specs. I did get to fly the HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX drones, though it was at a press event where I flew in a semi-controlled environment. Drone Girl staff writer did fully, personal review the original HoverAir X1 drone, which is extensive and critical.

With that in mind, here are some major standout differences — and my pick for the winner based on each spec:

HOVERAirX1 PRO (left) versus HOVERAirX1 PROMAX (right).
HOVERAirX1 PRO (left) versus HOVERAirX1 PROMAX (right).

Outdoor flying

Winner: HOVERAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX

Both of these two drones have Level 5 windspeed resistance, versus Level 4 on the other two. That’s the difference between flying in a breeze (Level 5), and ideally avoiding even light breezes (Level 4).

Of course neither of them is something you’d want to fly in any sort of significant weather. You’ll need a more powerful drone for that. For example, the DJI Air 3 is even stronger at Level 6 (and plenty of enterprise-oriented drones can even fly in outright storms.

Additionally, the HOVERAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX are designed to fly as far as 500 meters (or about a third of a mile). You won’t be flying these drones super far out. Again, plenty of other camera drones can go much farther.

But compare that to the Neo or HOVERAir X1, which only fly 50 and 30 meters, respectively. 50 meters is about as tall as The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. You might use it to fly over some shorter buildings, but don’t send this on too far out. Otherwise, it’ll automatically return to home.

Video quality

Winner: HOVERAir X1 PROMAX

This is the only one of the bunch that films in 8K. Of course, it’s the most expensive. Happily, the DJI Neo and HOVERAir X1 PRO are still capable of 4K. That’s more than sufficient for most use cases. The only drone of this bunch to skip, assuming you care about video quality, is the HOVERAir X1. Alas, it only films at 2.7K.

Check out some video I shot using the PROMAX on my Instagram (shared below):

Quality of drone hardware and overall ease of use

Winner: DJI Neo

I’ll preface this by saying I haven’t gotten my hands on the DJI Neo itself (yet). It doesn’t ship in the U.S. until October, alas! But I will say this: I had a few issues with the HoverAir X1 drones even during the press preview. We also encountered issues during our personal HoverAir X1 drone review.

For example, the HoverAir X1 controller was both cheaply made and not intuitive to use. I actually broke a piece of it off when I tried to transform it from the triple to the double piece size. I also encountered issues with the follow-me tech, where the drone couldn’t latch onto me. Once, it latched onto someone else behind me, and then proceeded to zoom right past my head (nearly clipping my face) as it tried to follow that person.

Now I have not flown the DJI Neo itself, but based on my past history of reviewing dozens of DJI drones myself, the DJI user experience is generally quite seamless. I’ve rarely had issues with build quality, and I’ve rarely broken DJI drones — even after crashing them into trees (yes, it happens to me too). The whole experience from start to finish is intuitive, all the way from takeoff to editing in the DJI app. I anticipate DJI will take its years of learnings from previous, powerhouse drones (including their enterprise aircraft like the Matrice series) all the way to other, unique consumer drones like the Cinewhoop-style Avata 2 FPV drone. It’ll them pour knowledge from building those drones into making sure that Neo is sold — all despite its $200 price tag.

Neo versus HOVERAir: who is each type of drone best for?

With that breakdown of critical specs, let’s dive into each type of drone. We’ll also uncover what type of person would most benefit from it.

DJI Neo: you want a reliable yet super cheap drone for taking selfies

DJI Neo drone

At just $199, it’s tough to go wrong with DJI Neo. It works outside, and can fly a few stories high. But generally speaking, this is a tool for vloggers or content creators. Gather unique angles as the either follows you, or flies in pre-programmed flight modes (like making a circle around you).

The 4K video quality is still excellent, making it good to shoot content for your YouTube channel. And, it does offer upgrade options. That includes the chance to pair it with a remote controller (that would be the FPV Remote Controller 3), should you prefer to control your flight more seriously.

With more than 10 years of experience in making a wide range of affordable, consumer drones (and absolutely dominating the market in doing so), DJI Neo is a drone from a reliable, high-quality drone company.

HOVERAir X1: you want an affordable alternative to DJI

The HoverAir X1 drone. (Photo by Caroline Dobrez)

There’s basically one reason to select the HOVERAir X1 at this point: it’s not a DJI drone. There are all sorts of reasons why consumers want a DJI alternative. Some folks prefer drones made in America (which this one is not, as it’s also made in China). But DJI alternatives also appeal to people seeking to minimize what’s largely considered a DJI monopoly. Some pilots just want something new to stand out from the crowd.

The HOVERAir X1 checks both of those last two boxes. However, its specs are inferior to DJI Neo on almost every level — plus it’s more expensive. If you do want to check those last two boxes, you might as well pay more for either the HOVERAir X1 PRO or HOVERAir X1 PROMAX. That way you’ll at least have superior specs to the DJI Neo.

HOVERAir X1 PRO: you want the PROMAX, but are on a tight budget

HOVERAirX1 PRO
HOVERAir X1 PRO (Photo by Sally French)

The HOVERAir X1 PRO packs on way more features that the DJI Neo doesn’t offer. Sure, it’s more than twice the price, but it may be worth it.

It’s more powerful in outdoor flight, and it can fly farther distances, unlocking the ability to shoot more landscape photos or wider shots of cities than you could with Neo. Active rear-side collision detection also makes it a bit safer to fly than Neo.

HOVERAir X1 PROMAX: you want the most powerful (yet portable and compact) drone you can get

HOVERAirX1 PROMAX
HOVERAir X1 PROMAX (Photo by Sally French)

If you were willing to pay double the price to get the HOVERAir X1 PRO versus DJI Neo, you might as well spring the extra $200 for the PROMAX version. Trust me, it’s worth it.

8K video on the PROMAX versus just 4K on the PRO is killer. More importantly, given my emphasis on safety, is the smarter collision detection. Whereas the PRO has just active rear-side collision detection, the PROMAX has vision-based rear-side collision detection, which effectively means smarter tech inside the PROMAX version. Consider $200 more for much more than that in terms of your peace of mind.

Just be cognizant of total cost. Sure, its starting price is $700. Bu what if you really want all the bells and whistles? Let’s say you want your own controller for better, manual flight, or you just want to spring for some ND filters to get higher-quality images. If so, expect to pay something more in the $1,000 ballpark.

Then again, once your budget is that high, you might very well consider one of the other great camera drones on the market. Of course, the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX offers the ultra-small size and hand-launch (which is actively discouraged with most other camera drones). But before making any drone purchase, nail down your priorities.

If super compact size is critical — and you’re not interested in manual flight but would rather have the drone do the work in taking your selfies — then the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is your best bet.

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Deep Inspection Secures Patent for AI-Driven Drone Aircraft Inspection System, Aiming to Enhance Safety and Efficiency

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New AI-Powered System Uses Drones and Advanced Imaging to Automate Aircraft Damage Detection, Reducing Maintenance Time and Human Error by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab South Korea-based AI-driven inspection system developer Deep Inspection, who use image detection AI systems to try and facilitate the inspection of everything from tunnels to the development of 3D […]

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Drones Take Dolphin Research to New Heights

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Innovative UAV Design Allows Scientists to Collect Biological Samples from Dolphins Without Disturbing Them by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magil Scientists studying dolphins have long been confounded by the problem of how to assess the health of these animals in the wild. But thanks to a drone-based system designed by researchers in Texas and Oklahoma, […]

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Lake Omodeo, province of Oristano, in the historical subregion of Barigadu.

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Il lago Omodeo (in sardo Lagu Omodeu) è un lago artificiale della Sardegna. Si trova in provincia di Oristano, nella subregione storica del Barigadu. È formato dallo sbarramento del fiume Tirso tramite la diga di Santa Chiara prima e dalla più recente diga Eleonora d’Arborea, situate rispettivamente in territorio di Ula Tirso e Busachi. Il bacino idrico è intitolato ad Angelo Omodeo, l’ingegnere che curò la progettazione della prima diga, che rimane parzialmente sommersa dalle acque del nuovo invaso. Il primo bacino artificiale fu realizzato con la costruzione della diga di Santa Chiara, presso Ula Tirso, che fu completata nel 1924, ed inaugurata il 28 aprile dello stesso anno alla presenza del re Vittorio Emanuele III, originando il più grande lago artificiale d’Europa, che aveva una capacità massima di 403 milioni di metri cubi d’acqua. La diga Eleonora d’Arborea I lavori per la sua costruzione facevano parte di un più ampio progetto, che comprendeva anche la bonifica della pianura di Oristano. Vi furono impiegati 16.000 operai che realizzarono il progetto redatto dall’ingegnere Angelo Omodeo, il quale partecipò anche alla costruzione delle grandi dighe sul Nilo. La costruzione fu completata in cinque anni, sotto la direzione dell’ingegnere Giulio Dolcetta. Lungo più di 22 km, il bacino fu realizzato al fine di regolamentare le piene del fiume, produrre energia elettrica e per l’irrigazione della pianura del Campidano di Oristano. La creazione del bacino artificiale determinò inoltre la sommersione di alcuni siti archeologici (nuraghi, tombe di giganti, e l’insediamento prenuragico di Serra Linta) e del piccolo villaggio di Zuri, che venne riedificato su un’altura poco distante dal lago. Anche l’antica chiesa del villaggio, dedicata a san Pietro Apostolo, venne smontata concio per concio e ricostruita a monte, nell’attuale posizione. Il 2 febbraio 1941 la diga fu attaccata con dei siluri da alcuni aerei decollati dalla portaerei britannica HMS Ark Royal. Nel 1997 fu inaugurata la nuova diga, intitolata ad Eleonora d’Arborea. Lo sbarramento è alto 100 metri e lungo 582 metri. Il volume totale dell’invaso è pari a 792 milioni di metri cubi d’acqua, coprendo una superficie di 29,370 km².

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