Tips

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Drone wedding photography: how to carve a niche (but smart) career in drones

This guest post was written by Photo Logica, a company that helps photographers build successful businesses. The company’s co-founders are Zacc Dukowitz, who has been working in the drone industry since 2016, and Daniel López Perez, who owns Daniel López Perez Wedding Photography.

These days, more and more wedding photographers are adding drones to their list of must-have gear. And more drone pilots are starting to offer drone wedding services, recognizing the potential in the drone wedding photography niche.

Drones let wedding photographers get shots that are impossible from the ground, like capturing the entire venue and its surroundings, getting unique bird’s-eye view shots of the couple, and photographing large groups while getting everyone in the shot.

Credit: Daniel López Perez

But getting started with a career in drone wedding photography can be hard. 

How do you know which drone to buy, or how much to charge? And how do you find wedding clients in the first place?

Whether you’re already a wedding photographer who wants to add drones to your work or a drone pilot looking for a new niche, this article has step-by-step advice that breaks down how to get started. 

1. Choose Your Drone

If you already own one of The Drone Girl’s recommended camera drones (or one comparable), then you already own a great drone for wedding photography. Unlike enterprise applications such as photogrammetry, you don’t need fancy gear like thermal cameras. Many great drones under $1,000 will suffice.

For Daniel, owner of Daniel López Perez Wedding Photography, a high-end wedding photographer who lives and works in Guatemala, he first started offering drone wedding photos with a DJI Air 2S, which he used for over four years. He just upgraded to the Air 3S, which is a dual-camera drone featuring a 1-inch-CMOS primary camera and a 70mm medium tele camera. Daniel says its zoom lens is really helpful, and the quality of the photos he can take with both cameras is stunning.

If you want to buy a new drone for wedding photography, here are the camera drones we recommend:

  • Beginner: Want a drone that can largely fly itself and shoots in 4K? A good option is the DJI Flip.
  • Prosumer: Looking for a balance between affordability and features? Check out the DJI Air 3S.
  • Professional: Want a higher-end option? We recommend the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.

As you’re searching for a wedding drone, here’s what to look for:

  • Ease of use. Find a drone that’s easy to learn how to fly—especially if you’re a wedding photographer adding drones to your toolbox. You can see whether it’s easy to fly by reading online reviews and the drone’s own marketing materials.
  • Image quality. Look for a drone with a high-resolution camera (at least 20MP) and good low-light performance. The ability to shoot in RAW format is also crucial for post-processing.
  • Portability. Weddings are fast-paced events. A compact, foldable drone is easier to transport and deploy when time is short.
  • Flight time. Aim for at least 25 minutes of flight time per battery so you’re not constantly swapping batteries (or having to carry a lot of them around).
  • Stability and safety. Features like obstacle avoidance and stable flight in windy conditions can help keep your drone—and the people below it—safe.
Credit: Daniel López Perez

A drone with a zoom lens is also nice since it lets you fly at a distance and still get a good shot, especially during quieter moments like the ceremony or even the first dance (if it happens outside). 

That being said, be really careful about using your drone during the ceremony or other intimate moments. The last thing you want to do is make yourself the center of attention.

Want more drone options? Check out our guide to the best drones for wedding photography.

2. Learn How to Fly Your Drone

For photographers hungry for aerial shots, flying is the biggest barrier to getting started with drones.

The stakes are especially high for wedding photographers. That’s because the moment you pull out a drone, everyone at the wedding will be looking at you. 

Gulp. Definitely not a time to get nervous, or to start practicing how to fly. In that moment, you need to know how to fly.

Build strong drone pilot skills before committing to a wedding gig. 

  • Read the instructions that come with your drone and watch beginner tutorials.
  • Find a big, empty place where it’s legal to fly, like a field, and practice basic maneuvers like taking off, hovering, flying in a straight line, and landing.
  • Prioritize practice time until you start to feel proficient.
  • If you regularly photograph at the same rotation of wedding venues, you might even ask the property owner if you can practice flying there. That way you can rehearse the same exact shots you’ll get during the actual ceremony.
  • As you get better, simulate challenging scenarios like flying in congested areas, shooting with low light, and flying with people watching you (but don’t fly over people—that could be illegal).

After you start getting the basics, you can slowly incorporate drones into your work. Over time, you’ll get better and better, and you’ll be able to fly whenever you want—even when everyone is watching.

Pro tip: If you’re just getting into drones and you live in the U.S., you’ll need to get Part 107 certified by the FAA. Read our review of Drone Pilot Ground School, a test prep course to help you get certified.

3. Know When to Use a Drone During the Wedding

As we mentioned, flying during the ceremony or even the first dance (if the reception is outside) is probably not a great idea.

But, like any rule, you can absolutely break it—and you can get some incredible shots that could potentially make your career. The key is using a zoom and knowing how far your drone needs to be so the noise won’t be distracting.

That being said, we only recommend flying during quiet moments after you’ve been using a drone for wedding photography for a long time.

Here are the tried-and-true drone shots you should get at any wedding:

I. Couple’s Shoot

The couple’s shoot can take place the day of the wedding or before. 

Drone wedding photography top down couples shot
Credit: Daniel López Perez

Scout the location before you go there with the couple so you have a plan for where you want them to be and how you want to position them.

Also, keep in mind that you’ll probably want to get a straight-down shot of the couple, which means they’ll need to lay down. 

Some couples won’t want to do this. But you can help by giving them a heads up before they arrive so they can get used to the idea, and by being ready with your soft skills to coax them into it. Showing them other amazing straight-down drone photos of couples helps too!.

II. The Venue

Drones are great for storytelling. 

When you take aerial shots of the venue you can place it in a larger context, showing its surroundings—and thereby dramatizing the wedding itself.

In Antigua, Guatemala, where Daniel lives and does most of his wedding work, using a drone lets him showcase the entire ruin where a wedding is happening (there are a lot of ancient ruins there), and then showcase the venue in the context of the entire city, with the Pacaya volcano looming in the background.

Fun fact: The Pacaya volcano last erupted in 2021. Yikes!

Drone wedding photography aerial
Credit: Daniel López Perez

III. At Night

For outdoor receptions, nighttime can be great for getting candid aerial shots of people celebrating.

Drone wedding photography set the scene
Credit: Daniel López Perez

IV. Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is also a great time to get shots of people enjoying the venue, as well as group shots.

See more key drone shots to get during a wedding.

4. Learn How to Compose Drone Wedding Shots

Even if you’re already good at flying a drone and taking aerial photos, you may need some extra composition practice to get ready to shoot weddings.

Unlike industrial drone work, like inspections or mapping, taking aerial photos for weddings requires a certain amount of artistry—and a keen sense for composition.

Drone wedding photography
Credit: Daniel López Perez

Here are some tips to help you with composition for aerial wedding photos:

  • Leading lines. Use roads, paths and natural features to guide the viewer’s eye.
  • Patterns and symmetry. Look for patterns in landscapes and architecture to create visually appealing shots.
  • Scale and perspective. Emphasize the scale of the venue and the surrounding environment.
  • Overhead shots. Capture unique perspectives by shooting directly down on the couple or group.

5. Figure Out Drone Wedding Photography Pricing

Pricing your drone wedding photography services can be tricky, especially if you’re new to this kind of work.

As you start thinking about pricing, remember that you’re not just charging for the drone, or even just for the drone photos.

You’re charging for your expertise, the unique perspective you bring to the table, your time taking the photos and your time editing them. To put it another way, you’re not just selling a drone shot. You’re selling a memory, a piece of art and a wow-factor image that adds an element of magic to the couple’s wedding album.

Most drone wedding photographers charge one of two ways:

I. Standalone Drone Wedding Photography Package

For drone pilots who are only selling aerial photos, this is preferred.

Consider offering different packages based on flight time, number of photos, and deliverables (e.g., edited photos, a highlight reel).

For example, you could have a “Venue Showcase” package that focuses on capturing the venue from above, or a “Couple’s Aerial Session” package for dramatic shots of the newlyweds.

2. Add-On to Existing Wedding Photography Packages

If you’re a wedding photographer who has added drones to your offerings, selling drone photos as an add-on is a great way to upsell your existing wedding photography packages.

For example, you could add a “Drone Upgrade” to your top-tier package, including aerial shots of the venue and couple. Depending on how much that package costs, you could charge anywhere from $200 to $500 or more for that add-on.

Some other things to consider for pricing:

  • Your experience. Are you brand new or a seasoned pro? As you gain experience and build your portfolio, you can increase your rates.
  • The location. Pricing is very different for the same service in Manhattan, Kansas vs. Manhattan, New York. On that note, look around to see what others in your area are charging for similar services to help benchmark your prices and offerings.
  • Your value. This one is squishy, but it’s worth factoring in your unique perspective and artistic vision when thinking about pricing—especially if you have a portfolio that demonstrates the value of your aerial work.

Dive deeper into how to price drone wedding photography.

6. Get Drone Wedding Photography Work

OK—you’ve got your drone, you’ve learned how to fly, you’ve practiced composition, and you know what shots you want to get. You’ve even figured out pricing!

Now it’s time to actually land a drone wedding client.

Here’s a short system you can follow to get work shooting weddings, either as a drone pilot or as a photographer who also uses a drone.

I. Build a Strong Portfolio

Here are some tips:

  • Best shots only. This means quality over quantity. If a shot isn’t exceptional, cut it. Clients are drawn to the best, not the average.
  • Show variety. Venue showcases, couple’s portraits, group shots, nighttime scenes—demonstrate your range.
  • Real weddings (not staged shoots). Clients want to see what you can do under pressure, in real-world scenarios.

II. Offer Strategic Freebies

To build your portfolio, ask wedding photographers in your area if you can tag along and take shots for free or at a reduced rate. Doing this can also help you land your first client.

The key word here is strategic. Don’t give away your services to just anyone. 

But if there’s a wedding photographer whose work you really admire—and would like to work with—reach out and offer to do a free drone shoot for them as a second shooter.

You can offer the same to wedding planners or to venue managers, to showcase their venue.

The key is to use the free offer to get your foot in the door. But don’t do a job for free for the same person several times, and make sure that when you work for free you’re making progress toward your goal of getting paid work.

III. Network Like Your Business Depends On It (Because It Does)

Weddings have a lot of different jobs. And that means there are a lot of different people you can get to know who might help you find work. 

Meeting other wedding photographers can be really helpful. Sometimes Daniel refers potential clients to wedding photographers he knows when he can’t do the job, and he’ll take other local photographers with him as a second shooter when he needs extra coverage.

Key people to network with include wedding planners, DJs, decorators, caterers, and venue managers, as well as photographers and videographers in your area (not just in weddings).

Pro tip: Never send someone a generic message. If you’re going to contact someone, make sure your message is authentic and tailored for them.

These three things will help you find your first clients. 

Once you start booking clients, here are some ways to continue growing your business:

  • Share your work on Instagram to build an audience and passive lead generation stream.
  • Develop your professional presence (do things like make a website, get business cards, create a logo, and register your business).
  • Do local SEO to make sure you rank for keywords like “drone wedding photography Des Moines” (or wherever it is you work).

Want to learn more about drones and wedding photography? Check out our other resources:

The post Drone wedding photography: how to carve a niche (but smart) career in drones appeared first on The Drone Girl.

This $17 investment will protect your drone’s motors (and could save you hundreds of dollars in repairs)

When it comes to flying drones, many pilots overlook a small but essential accessory: the drone landing pad. While it might seem like a minor detail, investing in a quality landing pad can significantly protect your drone’s motors, camera and gimbal from costly damage.

And the best part? Many great drone landing pads cost less than $20.

Why a drone landing pad is essential

A drone landing pad creates a designated takeoff and landing zone. The primary reason you need this? To shield your drone from environmental hazards. Here are some of the key benefits of doing so:

  1. Protection against debris on the ground: Drones create powerful downward airflow, especially during takeoff and landing. This airflow can kick up dirt, sand, grass and small rocks, which can get sucked into your drone’s motors or damage sensitive components like the camera lens or gimbal. A landing pad acts as a barrier between your drone and these hazards.
  2. Prevents damage to sensors (and keep obstacle avoidance working well): Many drones have downward-facing sensors to assist with precision landing and obstacle detection. Dust or scratches on these sensors can impair their functionality, leading to inaccurate readings. A landing pad provides a clean, stable surface to keep sensors safe.
  3. Keeps your drone dry and clean: Sure, many drones these days have increasingly good levels of water resistance. But you don’t want to get your drone damp if you can avoid it. If you’re flying in wet or muddy conditions, a landing pad keeps your drone’s landing gear clean and dry, preventing issues caused by moisture or dirt buildup.

The best drone landing pads

The PGYTECH Landing Pad Pro for Drones. Image courtesy of PGYTech.

Most drone pilots don’t need to get swindled into spending $50 or more on a drone landing pads. You probably don’t even need to spend more than $20! Here are some affordable and reliable options to consider:

  1. STARTRC Drone Landing Pad ($17): This is the most budget-friendly option, with a double-sided design featuring bright orange and blue colors. It’s made of waterproof nylon and comes with stakes and a carrying pouch for convenience. It’s 22×22 inches.
  2. PGYTECH Landing Pad Pro ($20): This foldable landing pad is made of durable, waterproof double-sided material and comes with reflective strips for better visibility in low-light conditions. It’s lightweight and portable (yes it folds up). The 20-inch version is designed for drones as large as the DJI Mavic 3 Pro (and are also great for something smaller like the DJI Mini 4 Pro).
  3. Hoodman Drone Launch Pad ($40): For those willing to invest a bit more, the Hoodman pad is weighted and designed for professional use. The $40 version is 1.9 feet across. Its technically a weighted drone landing pad. Sure, you could use stakes (or even simple materials like rock) to hold it down. But for the most seamless experience, this weighted drone landing pad is better for windy environments or who need a quick setup.

How much money should you spend on a drone landing pad?

There are only a few situations where you might need to spend more than $40 on a drone landing pad. The biggest reason? Simply size. But even if you need a larger landing area, a portable pad might not be the solution.

Yes Hoodman (which makes our priciest small pick) sells the 1.9-foot version for $40. But, they also sell an 8-foot version for $429 (it also weighs 24 pounds on its own!). It’s unlikely anyone would need that — as even larger eVTOL drones likely have their own landing area.

You also see some branded landing pads. For example, there’s an Autel Robotics landing pad from popular drone maker Autel that goes for $69. You don’t get any added benefit from having the Autel Robotics logo on there – unless you like the aesthetic appeal. So, save your money and go for the $20, non-branded version.

Most drone pilots flying camera drones generally only need a 2-foot wide landing pad — and no special decor needed. A $400, 8-foot weighted pad (or $70 for the branded version) is overkill for most people.

How to make a DIY drone landing pad for free or cheap

Loyal followers know I love saving money (have you seen my other Instagram account, @SaveWithSally yet?). Buying a $20 drone landing pad can definitely be convenient — especially these ones that easily fold up and pop right back out. But if you’re not one to spend even a bit of money on a drone landing pad, then you certainly don’t have to! Creating a makeshift drone landing pad is easy and free using items you likely already have. Here are a few ideas:

  • Cardboard: Cut a large piece of sturdy cardboard into a square or circular shape. Paint it with bright colors or add reflective tape to improve visibility. While not waterproof, it’s a quick and lightweight option for dry conditions.
  • Old yoga mat: Repurpose an old yoga mat as a landing pad. Cut it to size if needed, and use weights to hold it down in windy conditions. Yoga mats are durable, provide cushioning, and are mostly resistant to moisture.
  • Plastic tablecloth: Lay down a plastic tablecloth or tarp on uneven or soft surfaces. Secure the edges with rocks or stakes to prevent it from blowing away. This solution works well for temporary use in damp or muddy environments.
  • Plywood: For a sturdier option that won’t blow away, use a piece of plywood as your landing pad. Sand the edges to avoid splinters and paint it for added visibility. This is ideal for fixed locations where portability isn’t a concern.

Tips for maximizing your drone landing pad

  • Anchor it to the ground: Even lightweight landing pads can blow away in windy conditions. Use stakes or weights (or just nearby rocks) to secure the pad when flying outdoors.
  • Clean regularly: After each use, wipe down your landing pad to remove any accumulated dirt or debris.
  • Position smartly: Place the landing pad on as flat and stable a surface as possible to ensure a smooth takeoff and landing.

Drone landing pads (an underrated accessory that might even be free)

For as little as $10 (and free, if you’re willing to DIY with old materials around your house), a landing pad is one of the most cost-effective ways to extend the life of your drone. It’s a small investment that can save you hundreds of dollars in motor repairs, sensor replacements or gimbal recalibrations.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional pilot, a landing pad is a must-have (and affordable) accessory to keep your drone flying smoothly and safely.

The post This $17 investment will protect your drone’s motors (and could save you hundreds of dollars in repairs) appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Do I really need drone insurance anyway?

For commercial drone pilots, drone insurance can certainly be a safeguard for you, your business, your clients and your actual drones and other equipment (like fancy thermal cameras). But it’s not actually a Federal Aviation Administration requirement to hold drone insurance. So do you really need drone insurance anyway? .

But if you’re launching (or already have a drone business), or even you just want to protect yourself (and your expensive drone gear) if something goes wrong, then drone insurance can be critical.

A growing need for drone insurance

Real estate agents use drones to capture sweeping views of properties. Construction firms rely on them for site surveys. Filmmakers incorporate them for breathtaking aerial shots. The list goes on. But alongside their benefits comes the inevitable question: what happens if something goes wrong?

The key benefit of drone insurance largely stems from protecting you and others from damage. Imagine your drone malfunctions mid-flight and crashes into a parked car, shattering the windshield. Or worse, it injures someone. Without proper insurance, you could be on the hook for hefty repair costs — or even legal fees. 

As a commercial operator, you might need it to actually land gigs. While the FAA doesn’t require insurance, many clients do. And if you’re flying drones outside the U.S. some other regulatory bodies require proof of insurance to fly in that country.

3 considerations when deciding to buy drone insurance for your business

Make these three considerations when deciding whether it’s worth buying drone insurance: 

  1. Your business needs: Different industries have different coverage requirements. A real estate photographer may need a modest liability plan, while a construction drone operator may require a higher policy limit due to the potential for costly damage.
  2. Client expectations: Many clients require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before signing a contract. They may specify certain liability limits or demand to be added as an additional insured on your policy.
  3. Regulatory compliance: In some countries, governing bodies may impose insurance requirements, especially for flights over public spaces or near critical infrastructure. 

Types of commercial drone insurance

There are a variety of drone insurance policies you can buy, which fall into a few different buckets — largely liability versus hull insurance (and yes, you might very well want both).

Drone liability insurance

Liability insurance covers property damage and bodily injury caused by your drone. If your drone crashes into a building or injures a bystander, drone liability insurance can protect you from financial fallout. Coverage limits range from $0.5M to $10M or more, depending on industry standards and client needs.

Drone hull insurance

Unlike liability insurance, which covers damage to others, hull insurance protects your own equipment. If your drone crashes due to pilot error, weather conditions or mechanical failure, hull insurance can help cover repair or replacement costs. Some policies also include coverage for theft and flyaways.

Industry-specific insurance benchmarks

Coverage can vary based on the nature of your own business and flights. That said, the folks over at SkyWatch Insurance send over some estimates for insurance benchmarks:

  • General photography: $0.5 million – $1 million 
  • Real estate: $0.5 million – $1 million
  • Agriculture: $1 million
  • Construction: $1 million – $5 million
  • Mining: $2 million – $5 million
  • Cinematography: $2 million – $10 million

How to choose the right drone insurance plan

If you fly drones regularly, ongoing coverage is often the best option. Annual policies offer better long-term value for businesses handling frequent projects.

For occasional pilots, on-demand insurance provides flexible, flight-by-flight coverage. This option is best for not just occasional pilots flying one-time gigs, but it’s also generally better for pilots flying at something like a special event where higher liability limits are required.

How much does drone insurance cost?

Exact costs vary by provider. But using an example from Skywatch Insurance, which is one of the biggest insurance companies, monthly policies (this means you’ve opted for ongoing coverage) start at $44 for $0.5 million in liability coverage, with higher limits available.

What about that on-demand model? For a mainstream drone insurance provider like Skywatch Insurance, rates start at $10 per hour.

To get a better estimate of the exact cost of your drone insurance policy based on your situation, SkyWatch.ai offers free quotes — and they’re easy to generate. Simply go to the SkyWatch quote page. From there, input details like your liability limit, the type of plan you want, how many drones you want covered, and whether you want additional coverage — and a calculator will spit out your total price.

Here’s a preview of the Skywatch insurance estimate calculator:

Try out the SkyWatch quote page for yourself here.

Go for a drone insurance policy that evolves with your business

So what sorts of qualities should you look for when picking out the drone insurance company to go with? Especially if you operate drones for your business, the best drone insurance for Part 107 commercial pilots​ should allow you to:

  • Modify policies as needed.
  • Adjust liability limits based on client requirements.
  • Update your hull inventory.
  • Generate Certificates of Insurance (COI) quickly for new clients.

Many clients may require specific endorsements, such as Waiver of Subrogation or Primary & Non-Contributory Coverage. Understanding these requirements upfront can help you secure projects faster.

It’s also critical that you know who actually backs the company. For example, the aforementioned SkyWatch is underwritten by Global Aerospace, which also handles the claims process. Global Aerospace has been around for more than 100 years (initially in the crewed aircraft space, of course).

The bottom line: do you really need commercial drone insurance?

If you fly commercially, the answer is almost always a firm yes. Many clients won’t hire uninsured pilots, and legal fees from a drone accident can be financially devastating. Even for recreational pilots, insurance offers peace of mind in case of unexpected incidents.

With flexible plans ranging from on-demand to full-time coverage, drone insurance is no longer just an option — it’s a smart investment in your safety, business and future as a drone pilot.

FTC disclaimer: I receive a commission when you use one of my affiliate links to receive a quote from SkyWatch.ai. Thank you in advance for supporting The Drone Girl!

The post Do I really need drone insurance anyway? appeared first on The Drone Girl.

The hardest Part 107 test questions — and how to get them right

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 test is a crucial step for anyone aiming to become a certified drone pilot for commercial operations in the U.S. Some questions are pretty easy, where a dose of common sense could solve them. But other questions are not just difficult unless you’ve seriously studied — but they’re almost intentionally tricky. So of those, what are the most missed — or shall we say hardest Part 107 test questions?

I reached out to my friends at Drone Pilot Ground School, which has been offering online Part 107 test prep courses ever since 2016. Their program offers five, full-length practice tests that mirror the real exam format. Those tests come from a bank of more than 400 sample questions from the FAA.

When you complete the practice test, Drone Pilot Ground School sends over a performance report and breakdown of your incorrect responses. Given that, they have a strong data set of the Part 107 test questions that are missed the most.

They shared those questions with me. And along with that, Drone Pilot Ground School Customer Success Manager Michael McGuirt added is own insight on why they’re so tricky — and why the correct response is the way it is.

Related read: Flying drones commercially? How to get a drone pilot license

Here are three of the most commonly missed Part 107 test questions, and an explainer of the right answer:

hardest part 107 test questions Drone Pilot Ground School

1) Which two factors can be used to compute the cloud base?

A) The temperature and the dew point
B) The temperature and the barometric pressure
C) The barometric pressure and the dew point

Correct answer: A. The temperature and the dew point

Why students miss this question: “Students they don’t really understand that ‘dew point’ is an actual temperature instead of just a weather term and that it is used to determine the cloudbase,” McGuirt said.

But understanding the relationship between temperature and dew point is key to determining when and where clouds will form.

Explanation: “The difference between the surface temperature and the dew point temperature determines the altitude at which the air cools to its saturation point,” McGuirt said. “This altitude is where clouds begin to form.”

  • small difference (3-5º) between temperature and dew point results in a low cloud base, as the air doesn’t need to rise far to condense.    
  • large difference leads to a higher cloud base, as the air must rise farther before cooling to the dew point.

The height of the cloud base can be found on various weather apps such as UAV Forecast (1,900 ft AGL) or it can be calculated using the formula below.

hardest part 107 test questions cloud base formula

Cloud Base Formula:
(Current Temperature – Dew Point) = Spread
Divide the Spread by 4.4 (if °F) or 2.5 (if °C), then multiply by 1,000 to get the cloud base in feet AGL.

Example: If the temperature is 82ºF and the dew point is 70ºF:
82 – 70 = 12
12 / 4.4 = 2.73
2.73 x 1,000 = 2,727 ft AGL

2) What is the only type of Class E airspace that requires an airspace authorization?

A) Class E Surface Area
B) Class E Extension
C) Class E Transition airspace that starts at 700 ft AGL

Correct answer: A. Class E Surface Area.

Why students miss this question: “There are eight types of Class E airspace and students think that any class of airspace outside of Class G requires an airspace authorization,” McGuirt said. “But the only type of Class E that requires an airspace authorization is Surface Area Class E.”

Explanation: Class E Transition airspace that starts at 700 ft AGL or 1,200 ft AGL, or Class E Extensions do not require an airspace authorization.

3) Which of the following is not one of the minimum message elements that must be broadcast by a standard Remote ID unmanned aircraft according to § 89.305?

A) The geometric altitude of the control station.
B) The battery level of the unmanned aircraft.
C) The latitude and longitude of the unmanned aircraft.

Correct answer: B. The battery level of the unmanned aircraft.

Why students miss this question: “This question is often missed because students have not committed to memory all of the elements of the Remote ID Broadcast message,” McGuirt said.

Explanation: There are eight elements that you have to commit to memory.

  1. A serial number or session ID
  2. Latitude and longitude of the control station
  3. Geometric altitude of the control station
  4. Latitude and longitude of the aircraft
  5. Geometric altitude of the aircraft
  6. The velocity of the aircraft
  7. A timestamp in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
  8. The emergency status of the aircraft

Notice that battery level is NOT a required element—a common misconception among test-takers.

Be prepared — because test scores aren’t great

If you thought those questions were difficult, you’re not alone. For what it’s worth, these three are the hardest Part 107 test questions. Still, many test-takers are missing more than just these three.

Out of the 67,576 people who took the Small Unmanned Aircraft Test in 2024, the average Part 107 test score was 79.95%. That’s not even a B.

Meanwhile, the pass rate was 84.2%. (Passing the Part 107 test requires a 70% score.) In fact, the Part 107 test has among the worst pass rates of any test issued by the FAA. For example, 91.9% of test takers pass the Airplane Private Pilot’s Test, and 85.64% pass the Airplane Instrument Rating Test. According to FAA data, the overall pass rate across all FAA-issued Airman Knowledge Tests in 2024 was 89.51%. Clearly, drone pilots are bringing the average down.

How to avoid missing the hardest Part 107 Test questions

These tricky questions illustrate why studying for the Part 107 test requires more than just a basic understanding of drones. To boost your chances of success:

✅ Take a Part 107 prep course – Online courses like Drone Pilot Ground School (which provided the data for this story) and Drone Launch Academy provide structured lessons, practice tests and expert guidance. They also offer deals. For example, Drone Pilot Ground School offers an exclusive discount for Drone Girl readers to get you $100 off using coupon code DRONEGIRL100

I personally used Drone Pilot Ground School‘s online study course. It worked, as I passed the Part 107 test on my first try with a 90% score.

✅ Use practice tests – Identify weak areas before test day with realistic practice questions. Again, pretty much any Part 107 online course will include these.

✅ Focus on tricky topics – Subjects like airspace classifications, weather and Remote ID rules tend to cause the most trouble.

✅ Bring the right materials – You need your brain power, but there are also some physical items you need to bring to the Part 107 test. That includes a valid, government-issued ID.

The post The hardest Part 107 test questions — and how to get them right appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Drone repair or replacement: what’s the smart move for a damaged drone?

The following post about drone repairs was written in collaboration with Drone Nerds, which is a drone retailer and the largest authorized DJI retailer in the U.S. The company also has a robust repair team.

Drone Nerds has an affiliate agreement with The Drone Girl, meaning The Drone Girl receives a small percentage of revenue from purchases made through links on this page.

Drone owners face a tough decision when their equipment is damaged: is it worth repairing, or should you invest in a brand-new model? Buying a new drone is almost certainly easier than first diagnosing the problem, sending in your drone and waiting out the repair. Plus, there’s not always a guarantee that the repair will be the best option. But at the same time, a drone repair can often save money — at least if done correctly.

Here’s how to evaluate whether a drone repair or replacement is the best choice for you.

How much does a drone repair cost?

(Photo courtesy of Drone Nerds)

Generally speaking, repairs can cost about 30% to 50% of the price of buying the same drone brand-new. That’s just an average, where a more complicated repair might cost more or a simple repair might cost less. And of course, that percentage can also fluctuate based on the age of a drone. For example, a highly-outdated model might have already undergone a steep price cut.

Water damage tends to be the most challenging repair. If your drone has been water damaged, you might anticipate a total loss. Whether from saltwater or freshwater, the risk of long-term corrosion and unpredictable malfunctions may make water-damaged drones highly unreliable even after initial repairs.

In fact, Drone Nerds says its technicians typically recommend against repairs on water-damaged drones due to the high likelihood of future issues emerging, regardless of short-term fixes.

But other repairs are easy. For example, arm replacements and camera swaps tend to be more straightforward and generally yield consistent success rates.

When a drone repair makes sense

Here’s a straightforward way you can know that drone repair is the better option: if the cost of the drone repair amounts to between 50% or even two-thirds of the price of a new model, repairing it is typically the better option.

“Drone repairs are reliable,” said Drone Nerds’ Service Center Manager, Robert Settle.“When the aircraft is fixed, it will work just like new. Plus, you’re protecting your investment by extending its lifespan and maintaining its functionality.” Your repaired drone will always be worth more than one you throw away. You’re getting more for your money by repairing it”.

When to skip the drone repair and buy new

Conversely, that same calculation can also indicate that buying new might be better. If the repair will cost more than 66% of the amount of just buying a new drone outright, you generally should skip the repair.

In short, high repair costs relative to the cost to buy new makes the decision to fix your drone less practical. A reliable service provider should always offer a transparent and honest assessment, ensuring that you understand whether the repair is financially viable. 

What if repair prices balloon unexpectedly?

If the repair price increases unexpectedly, the technician should inform you immediately. With that, they can offer guidance on whether upgrading to a new model or seeking alternative solutions would be wiser. The goal should always be to help you make a cost-effective decision that aligns with your needs.

Using a reputable drone service provider such as Drone Nerds should mitigate the risk of this happening. For example, Drone Nerds gives customers an upfront estimate when they send in their drone. 

That’s a better model in ensuring transparency and allowing you to know the total cost before opting to proceed with repairs.

Warranty considerations: when to use coverage versus paying outright for repairs

You may have an insurance policy or extended warranty coverage for your drone. This might be through a standalone insurance policy you purchased. Sometimes, homeowners or renters insurance can even cover your drone gear. Certain credit cards offer insurance as a benefit for items purchased on that card, like your drone.

If it’s a DJI drone you’ve got, you might have purchased DJI Care. DJI Care is a protection plan that covers damage. It comes with a deductible and limited usage.

In situations like DJI Care, you need to account for that deductible in your final decision-making. If the cost of a repair is equal to or less than the deductible, it’s often smarter to pay for the repair and save your DJI Care for more significant issues. With other policies besides DJI Care, know that filing a claim can sometimes increase your premiums. Filing a claim for a $200 repair might not be worth it if your premiums will increase by more than $200.

By handling minor repairs independently, you can preserve your coverage for major incidents when it’s really needed. Trusted repair experts should help you assess whether using DJI Care, other insurance or paying out of pocket is the better choice for your situation.

What if you want to upgrade your drone?

Given how rapidly drone technology continues to improve, drone repairs might inherently not make sense — even on models that are one or two years old.

DJI drones continue to get more affordable — and new models roll out quickly.

These days, drones like the sub-$200 DJI Neo are capable of filming 4K video. If you’re looking to repair, say, a DJI Mini 4K but it’ll cost $200 to fix it, you might just consider purchasing a brand new DJI Neo instead. The Drone Girl has plenty of guides to finding the best drones. For custom advice,

Drone Nerds has a no-risk policy when it comes to diagnosing your old drone.

“If you want to buy a new drone from us, we won’t charge a diagnosis fee for assessing your old one,” Settle said. “You can send in your drone without worrying about extra costs, and we’ll give you an honest recommendation on whether it’s worth fixing or upgrading.”

This approach gives you the freedom to explore all options without added pressure, whether you’re ready to upgrade or just want to assess your current drone’s condition.

In many cases, repairing a drone can be a smart financial decision, especially if the cost is within reason. However, it’s essential to weigh the costs, consider your protection plan, and think about future needs. 

What to know about Drone Nerds Repair

(Photo courtesy of Drone Nerds)

Drone Nerds is the largest DJI Authorized Service & Repair center in the United States. Engineers are trained to diagnose and repair the entire DJI product line, providing complete confidence in the workmanship and service capabilities.

What happens during a Drone Nerds repair?

Here’s exactly what happens once you’ve shipped your damaged drone to Drone Nerds:

  1. Upon receiving your damaged drone in the mail, the team documents its condition with photographs.
  2. It then confirms receipt from the customer of exactly what it receives.
  3. The drone then enters the assessment queue. (Typically, expect a turnaround time of about three days for technician assessment.)
  4. Once a technician performs the assessment, they oversee the entire repair process. They’ll diagnose the drone, let the customer know their diagnosis, and then receive approval (or disapproval) of the repair.
  5. Drone Nerds says it typically has repairs complete — and the drones ready for billing and shipping — within 24 hours of approval.

Throughout, customers have direct communication channels—via phone or email—to contact their assigned technician for updates or to provide any necessary information.

“The Drone Nerds team is dedicated to helping customers make the best decisions for their drone’s longevity and performance,” according to a Drone Nerds statement.“Whether looking to repair or upgrade, experts will guide you through every step of the process.”

For more information on what goes into a drone repair, reach out directly to Drone Nerds for advice on maintaining a drone investment and keeping it in the air.

-In collaboration with the Drone NerdsTeam

If you’d like to submit a guest post, contact The Drone Girl here.

The post Drone repair or replacement: what’s the smart move for a damaged drone? appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Off-brand prop guards: better than going directly with the manufacturer?

Prop guards are essential accessories for drone owners, offering protection for both your drone and its surroundings. Especially if you’re flying indoors, prop guards can protect your walls or furniture from potential hits. And hey, that applies outdoors too. If you’re flying around kids, pets, other adults, or, well, really anything, prop guards add a layer of safety.

Plus, drone propeller guards can minimize the chance of the drone fully crashing from a small wall bump. With prop guards, the drone may be able to just bounce right off the wall (or whatever it has made contact with ) and continue flying.

So here’s the thing: you can buy them directly from your drone’s manufacturer (e.g. DJI and Autel), or you can buy them through third-parties. PGYTECH is one of the biggest manufacturers of third-party prop guards. Craznick also seems to come up in the prop guard scene. Though, they are most famous for their colorful, LED propellers. And there are plenty more third-part prop guard makers — many of which come and go.

But is it worth buying these off-brand drone prop guards versus going straight to the source and buying directly from the drone maker?

The big reason to go off brand is price. Here’s a comparison on price of prop guards for some of the most popular drone models, when purchased directly through the maker (e.g. DJI and Autel) versus thid-parties (e.g. PGYTECH):

Prop guards made directly through manufacturer Prop guards from third-party
DJI Mavic 3 Series $47 $24.95 (PGYTech)
DJI Mini 3 Pro $29 $23 (but on sale for $13) (PGYTech)
Autel Evo II $24.99 $13.99 (Dwdzey)

Can I save money on prop guards by buying third-party?

Clearly, yes. But saving money now might not necessarily save you money, nor headache (and headache = money) in the long-run.

Here are some risks you run when you buy from a third-party drone accessory maker:

  • Risk of incompatibility: As is the case with really any accessory, there might be slight variations in fit or functionality. While many third-party options claim compatibility, always check product specifications carefully.
  • Build quality might not be up to par: Generally prop guards from the big drone makers like DJI are constructed from high-quality materials. They prioritize durability and impact resistance. For example, DJI uses high-flexural-strength material on its newest models. With third-party prop guards, quality can vary significantly. Some third-party guards use cheaper materials, affecting their longevity and protective capabilities. Those materials might also be heavier, which can negatively impact flight times.
  • Inferior design: Prop guards minimize impact on flight performance via aerodynamic design, but you might find that also reducing flight times. The worst-designed prop guards might even obstruct the camera’s view.
  • Annoying user experience: With official models, user experience also tends to be at the forefront, with features like quick-release mechanisms. For example, most DJI propeller guards feature a 2-section quick mount design that makes it easy to install and remove. That might not necessarily be the case when you buy the third-party version, which can sometimes compromise on aerodynamics for cost-effectiveness.

While third-party prop guards might offer cost savings, weigh the potential for drawbacks.

Related read: Watch out for these risks of buying used drones

A DJI Mini 2 drone with prop guards
Image courtesy of DJI

When to buy third-party prop guards

That said, there are plenty of great prop guards out there. Those highlighted above from brands like PGYTech and Dwdzey tend to get excellent reviews. Especially because they’re designed to fit specific drone models, they actually do fit the product you’re buying for. And, the quality is still high.

As is the case with nearly any drone accessory, there are some situations where buying third-party prop guards can make sense — and when it doesn’t. Here are some situations when you are better off going the third-party route:

  • The accessory won’t impact your warranty: Those warranty terms vary by drone, generally popping on third-party prop guards won’t impact your drone’s warranty. But a more invasive accessory, say replacing the built-in camera with another one, could. Understand your warranty terms, and the potential for voiding it, if you add products not endorsed by the manufacturer.
  • The reviews are good: You wouldn’t book an Airbnb with no reviews, right? So don’t buy prop guards with no reviews either. Especially given that these products come from unnamed companies, you’re best off going with one that has endorsements from drone pilots already.
  • The savings are high: In some of those examples in the table, the savings hover around a 50% discount. But if you’re only saving a couple bucks, the piece of mind of going with the official product might be worth it — especially given how much you already spent on the drone.

Tell me: have you had success using third-party prop guards? Or have they turned into a horror story? Share your experiences in the comments!

The post Off-brand prop guards: better than going directly with the manufacturer? appeared first on The Drone Girl.

How to register your drone in the U.S. (and avoid being scammed)

Registering your drone in the U.S. is essential not only to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations but also to avoid scams and hefty penalties. 

Here’s how to register your drone properly and what you need to know to avoid legal troubles.

The who, where, and what of drone registration

So, who needs to register their drone? If your drone weighs more than 0.55 pounds (that’s 250 grams or more), you’re required by law to register it with the FAA, whether you’re flying recreationally or commercially under Part 107. Drones under 250 grams used for recreational purposes are exempt from registration. This is why drones under 250 grams are such a big deal. 

Where do you go for drone registration? The only official site where you can register your drone is the FAA’s DroneZone. This site allows you to input your details and pay the $5 registration fee, ensuring you meet FAA regulations and avoid any penalties.

And what do you need for registration? Before starting the registration process, gather the following:

  • Physical and mailing addresses
  • Email address and phone number
  • Make and model your drone
  • Remote ID serial number (if applicable)
  • Credit or debit card for the $5 fee

Steps to register

  1. Visit the FAA DroneZone website and create an account if you don’t already have one.
  2. Choose your registration type: Select either Part 107 for commercial use or the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.
  3. Enter your information: Provide your personal information, drone specifics, and the Remote ID serial number if required.
  4. Pay the fee: The $5 fee covers all drones you own under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.
  5. Receive your registration number: You’ll get a registration number and certificate after payment. Keep a copy with you when flying.
drone registration scam alert FAA fake

Avoiding drone registration scams

Many scam websites mimic the FAA’s official site, charging up to $200 for drone registration—a process that should cost just $5. These sites often provide a legitimate registration number but at a steep markup, and they may misuse your data.

For example, after a quick Google search of “register your drone,” the first non-FAA site was droneregistration.com which charges $40 for drone registration.  

Here’s how to spot a scam:

  • High fees: If a site charges more than $5, it’s not legitimate.
  • Multiple drone charges: The FAA’s $5 fee covers all your drones, so avoid sites that charge per drone.
  • False affiliations: Be cautious of sites claiming to simplify the process of being “approved” by the FAA.

The FAA advises registering only through their official DroneZone site to ensure you’re not overcharged or scammed.

Consequences of not registering your drone

Failing to register your drone can result in civil fines of up to $27,500 and criminal penalties of up to $250,000 or three years in prison. While it’s unlikely that the FAA is actively searching for unregistered drones to prosecute, if you accidentally fly in a no-fly zone or commit another violation and your drone isn’t registered, you could certainly face a hefty fine. Considering registration only costs $5, it’s not worth the risk.

The FAA considers various factors when determining fines, such as the nature of the violation, which could be anything from a minor oversight to a more intentional action. Penalties might be higher if you fly over crowds or use larger drones. The fine structure also depends on your operator category, whether you’re a commercial pilot, flight instructor, or just flying for fun. Certain violations, like interfering with wildfire efforts, could result in fines between $15,000 and $20,923 while failing to register your drone could lead to more significant penalties.

After registering your drone

Once your drone is registered, keep your certificate with you during flights. Make sure your drone is labeled with your registration number, and be ready to show your certificate to law enforcement if asked. When your registration expires (registration is valid for three years), renew it through the FAA DroneZone portal to remain compliant.

And if you are looking to re-register but can’t find your old registration number, don’t worry. Looking up your number on the FAA DroneZone site is very simple. 

The post How to register your drone in the U.S. (and avoid being scammed) appeared first on The Drone Girl.

How much to charge for drone services? Here’s your drone pilot pricing guide

Next up in our “Ask Drone Girl” series is about how much to charge for drone services. If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.

I’m a startup drone business and recently did some pro bono work for a vineyard who now wants to pay me! The only issue? I have no idea how much to charge! They’re particularly interested in an aerial view of one of their buildings that they’re gonna send to their architect to design an expansion. Any help is appreciated!

-David

Hey David,

Congrats on landing a gig as a drone pilot. Your entrepreneurship running a startup drone business must be applauded!

Now determining the right price for your drone services can be a balancing act. You want to be competitive with other pilots in the area. And you want to be fair to your client. But, you also need to cover your costs (which include not just your gear and gas, but also your time). And hey, you want to generate a profit.

Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider when setting your rates:

Determine your costs

You shouldn’t work for free, because it wasn’t even free for you to do this work. From your gear, to the hours of work you’ve put into growing your skills, to per-project costs like gas, you should get paid back for your costs — and then some. When determining your costs, consider this:

Calculate specific costs for this project

The most straightforward way to calculate your costs is by starting with any out-of-pocket costs you’ll pay to do the project. That may include:

Travel: This includes fuel and vehicle maintenance. You might just base this off of the IRS standard mileage rate if you’re unsure of your vehicle’s specifics. In 2024, that’s 67 cents per mile.

If you have to spend the night in a hotel — or even take a flight there — factor in those costs, as well as unexpectedly travel costs like checked bag fees or ground transportation.

Permits: If you need a permit for a specific flight, calculate those fees too.

Pay-per-use software: Some software charges per use. For example, certain drone mapping software charges per map.

Time: Then, find out (or make your best estimate) of how much time the project will take. From there, consider your hourly rate. Some people already know their hourly rate (say, $200 per hour). There are all sorts of ways you can calculate this.

You might have a figure that you believe is your annual value (say, $100,000 per year). You could then calculate that in tandem with how many billable hours you can realistically execute (billable hours are generally far less than hours worked as a freelancer, given how much time you spent on unpaid administrative work). If you think you’re capable of, say, 10 billable hours per week and you work 48 weeks a year (account for vacation!), then you’d need to charge $208 per hour to reach that.

You could also calculate time in terms of opportunity cost. Say, “every hour I spend doing X work is $Y that I can’t spend doing this other job where I know I’d make that money.”

And of course, time is not just flying time, but also travel time and time spent processing the data.

Don’t overlook previous, already-paid costs

But those are hardly your only costs to consider when you calculate how much to charge for drone services! These next sets of costs are a little bit hairier to calculate, as they’re generally a one-time fee that you already paid — and they’ll be amortized across all future clients to come. That includes:

  • Equipment: This might include drones, cameras, batteries, and other gear.
  • Software: This can include image processing, flight planning, and data management software.
  • Insurance: Though the FAA does not require drone insurance, most drone business owners still opt for some degree of liability and equipment coverage.
  • Licenses: You presumably paid $175 to take the Remote Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge Test. That’s a requirement to earn your Remote Pilot Certificate. You likely also paid at least $200 for a Part 107 class, and potentially hundreds more for in-person drone flying classes. You might even have invested further with specialized courses in areas like drone mapping or aerial photography.
  • Overhead: Then there’s just the general cost of running a business. That might include office space, utilities, marketing, tax software, web hosting fees and administrative costs.

It’s trickier to calculate how these fit in. You might just divide all those costs across your average number of expected clients per year. But, at least account for these costs in some capacity.

Determine your value proposition

Now it’s time to define your personal value. What sets you apart from the competition? Since it sounds like you specifically are newer and less experienced, then your value might be, well, less than someone with years of experience. An experienced pilot should up their charge for drone services versus the newbies.

But even without drone-specific experience, consider other value you can bring, including prior work experience. Some factors to roll up into your unique value proposition include:

  • Expertise: Do you have specialized knowledge in areas like inspections or mapping?
  • Equipment: High-end drones and cameras that produce superior results are more valuable than photos from a cheap camera drone. If you’ve got a DJI Inspire 3, you can probably charge more than the person trying to do the same job on a DJI Mini 4K.
  • Efficiency, speed and customer service: Yes, you’re allowed to charge more if you’re pleasant to work with — and you get the job done efficiently.
charge for drone services roof inspections
You can also charge more for work that’s more niche or more risky.

How to price your work as a drone pilot

Now that you understand all your own costs coupled with your value, it’s time to decide how you’ll price your drone work. Drone projects tend to run through a few different pricing models, including:

  • Hourly rate: Charge by the hour for your services. This is common for aerial photography and videography.
  • Project-based: Quote a fixed price for specific projects, such as property inspections or mapping.
  • Package Deals: Offer bundled services (e.g. a refresh survey every month) at a discounted rate.

Set your rates

With that, decide on how much you want to charge. You might already have a number in your head once you’ve laid out all your personal costs, but there are other ways you can set your rate:

  • Compare yourself to competition: Find drone companies that do similar work to what you’ll do, and price based off of them. Maybe they do work to the exact quality as yours, but they live in a lower cost of living area. You could account for that cost of living adjustment and charge slightly more. Maybe there’s a pilot in your area who does the same work but is more experienced. Charge less than them. But be careful to not completely undercut them so that you unknowingly adjust clients’ expectations to pay less (as that could hurt you in the future, too).
  • Understand the scope: Larger, more complex projects typically command higher rates.
  • You might charge more depending on the industry: A large corporate client might be willing to pay more than a small non-profit. Some drone pilots don’t widely advertise their rates, specifically so they can price based on client.
  • Figure out how much you want the job: Is this work you’re genuinely looking forward to doing, either because it’ll be a great addition to your portfolio, serve as a valuable learning experiencing, or might actually be fun? Or are you dreading the gig? If the latter, you might charge more (with the understand that the client might not end of hiring you).

When you might charge less for work as a drone pilot

Then there are a few other factors to consider when setting your rates around what to charge for drone services. Clients may want to negotiate, in which case start high and adjust prices down.

You might also just factor in how this gig plays into your broader life. You mentioned that this specific gig is at a vineyard. Once done flying, will you get to hang out at the winery? Will the owner treat you to a complementary wine tasting? Even if the gig necessitates an overnight stay (which of course, you’ll add to the client’s bill), can your family come with you, and you can use the trip to wine country as a much-needed getaway? If yes, you might charge less.

For example, I frequently speak at drone conferences. And, I firmly believe you must be compensated to speak at a conference. But while I generally consider cash as compensation, I sometimes make exceptions. Will they pay for my entire travels there? And if so, is it a place I want to go to anyway?

For example, when I spoke at World of Drones Congress in Brisbane, Australia, I didn’t get any cash money. But, I got a roundtrip flight from the U.S. to Australia, plus a few nights of a hotel. I’d value all of that as far higher than what I’d have charged as a standalone speaking fee for an equivalent talk in my own city, so I considered this a great deal. I am a huge Crocodile Hunter fan, so a trip to Queensland was a bucket list item!

The tl;dr: the prices you charge for drone services like aerial photography or mapping should reflect the value you bring to your clients. As you gain experience, that value will grow.

The post How much to charge for drone services? Here’s your drone pilot pricing guide appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Firewalls, no cloud requirement: how to make commercial drones more secure

A recent influx of legislation to ban Chinese drones over data privacy — like the Countering CCP Drones Act — reflects growing concerns about the security of commercial drones and their handling of data. That’s led politicians to generate their own policy ideas around how to make commercial drones more secure.

But while bans (or even tariffs, as more moderate legislation like the DFR Act proposes) might seem like a quick fix, they bring the potential for enormous, negative side effects. Critics fear that banning what are generally far more affordable, Chinese-made drones could have an outsized, negative impact on small businesses that have tighter budgets than big corporations or government entities.

Meanwhile, many private businesses are turning to another solution that makes drone data more secure — without an outright ban.

DJI itself has sought to prove itself as a more secure solution for U.S. customers. As of June 27, 2024, DJI no longer offers U.S. operators the option to sync their flight records to DJI servers. Interestingly, the capability still remains when you fly DJI drones in regions outside the U.S.

And that’s not all. Throughout 2024, we’ve seen an uptick in solutions to fortify the security of drone data. Many such solutions come from big drone companies like DroneDeploy and AirData. Here’s a look at ways that private companies are working to make commercial drones more secure — no ban needed:

DroneDeploy introduces world’s first security firewall for commercial drones

make commercial drones more secure DockShield

In June 2024, San Francisco based drone software company DroneDeploy launched Dock Shield. Dock Shield is a system of network security protocols designed to work with drone docks such as the DJI Dock 1 and DJI Dock 2.

Drone docks (sometimes called drone-in-a-box) are popular systems for landing, charging and storing drones. They’re especially popular in remote places that would be annoying for a human operator to monitor all the time. These days, the best drone docks are highly advanced. They’re even capable of storing and sending data back to teams (generally over the cloud). And it’s that storing and sending of data where Dock Shield comes in so critically.

“Because the docked drone is fully autonomous with no person on site, safety and security are critical to the successful operations of the docked drone,” said Ashutosh Agrawal, a risk director at DroneDeploy. “The shield technology is one of the ways DroneDeploy is approaching concerns over Chinese technology.”

Those aforementioned network security protocols from DroneDeploy’s Dock Shield are designed to limit connections out of drone docks — including the DJI Docks — solely to trusted DroneDeploy-controlled U.S. servers. The shield works by creating a firewall. That, in turn, makes communications secure and limited to only between DroneDeploy and the drone.

This solution will help ensure that drone data arrives securely — and only at its intended destination. 

In fact, though Dock Shield can be compatible with any drone, it was actually initially tailored for DJI Dock 1 and 2. DroneDeploy also said it has plans to launch a similar product for the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise later in 2024.

Purchase the DJI Dock 2 now from Drone Nerds.

Agrawal said that security had not been much of a major pain point amongst DroneDeploy customers, adding that “DroneDeploy is the most secure platform on the market.” But given the uptick in anti-China legislation and debate, DroneDeploy is iterating with solutions.

Agrawal also said that DJI drones are still highly popular amongst DJI customers.

“While there has been a lot of rhetorical change in the conversation over DJI, especially in the last year, we are still seeing wide adoption of this technology as U.S. competitors are not yet able to make drones that fulfill all use case needs,” Agrawal said.

Rather than an entirely-new, U.S.-made drone, DroneDeploy is betting that better security systems applied to DJI drones is a smarter fix.

“Firewalls are the most practical and effective solution to manage risk involved in using Chinese hardware,” he said. “Firewalls are a long-standing security solution, not some new fancy or proprietary thing, but a known and industry tested way to manage security concerns.”

AirData allows customers to upload logs without DJI’s cloud

make commercial drones more secure AirData cloud

AirData is a California-based, online drone fleet data management and real-time flight streaming platform. It allows its users to synchronize flight logs from DJI without using the DJI Cloud.

Even though DJI disabled the “Sync Flight Data” feature to the DJI cloud in its flight apps in 2024, AirData offers alternative sync options so pilots can track flight activity.

There are a few ways to do this, such as through the AirData UAV mobile app, which can directly upload flight logs from your device to AirData, bypassing DJI’s cloud. This method is straightforward and also secure, ensuring your data remains under your control. You can also manually upload logs to AirData by extracting flight logs from your drone and then uploading them through AirData’s web interface.

Trevor Hall, an AirData spokesperson, said the capability serves multiple purposes.

“Whether it’s because off privacy concerns or a more streamlined upload process, uploading logs directly to AirData via our mobile app (bypassing DJI’s servers) is often preferred by our customers,” he said. “It’s a decision that’s sometimes made by the individual user and sometimes by their employer. Our customers that are part of government agencies are especially keen to using our mobile app to upload logs.”

Other ways to make commercial drones more secure

Then there are some best practices you can impose on yourself (or your business) to make drone flights more secure. Consider these some general best practices:

Make regular firmware updates: Be diligent about promptly installing firmware updates that patch security vulnerabilities. One note: make sure you have a secure process to prevent unauthorized firmware from loading.

Tamper-proof hardware: Don’t forget physical security. Consider situations where the physical drone might get in the hands of someone else. Maybe you’re flying with a drone in checked luggage or otherwise leaving it somewhere in the open. If so, be on alert. Critical components like the flight controller and GPS unit should be tamper-proof to prevent unauthorized modifications or hardware implants. Even a simple lock on your drone case can make commercial drones more secure.

Use multi-factor authorization: It’s not just drones. All sorts of online accounts, like email, social media and, yes, drone control apps should have multi-factor authentication enabled. This prevents unauthorized access. This could involve passwords, biometrics, or hardware tokens.

By implementing a combination of these measures, then drone manufacturers, governments and drone pilots can work together to create a more secure drone ecosystem — no actual ban necessary. This will not only address national security concerns but also build public trust. Ideally, that’ll continue paving the way for wider commercial drone adoption, not fewer drones given potential bans.

The post Firewalls, no cloud requirement: how to make commercial drones more secure appeared first on The Drone Girl.

How to build a high school drone program: a step-by-step guide

Building a high school drone program can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor. Drones offer a dynamic way to engage students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, providing hands-on learning experiences that are both educational and fun. 

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started.

1. Define your program’s goals

Start by identifying the goals of your drone program. Are you focusing on STEM education, preparing students for FAA Part 107 certification, or exploring career pathways in drone technology? Clear goals will help shape your curriculum and resource needs. 

Additionally, consider the type of program you want to establish. It could be an after-school program that offers flexible learning opportunities, an elective course integrated into the school day, or a required class providing broad exposure to drone technology for all students. 

Determining how many students will be part of the program is also crucial as it will guide your budget and purchasing decisions. As a former educator, I recommend starting small and scaling up. Find a few dedicated students and plan to meet 2-3 times a week after school. Logistics and requirements will depend on your school or district’s rules, but starting small will give you the freedom to work out the kinks. 

2. Purchase the right drones for a high school drone program

Selecting the right drones is crucial. For high school programs, you’ll want drones that are durable, easy to use, and provide educational value.

The Crazyflie drone from DroneBlocks tops The Drone Girl’s list of best educational drones for a STEM program. The Crazyflie drone starts at $379, and students can learn to assemble the drone, use it to code, and more. Plus, the purchase of the drone includes a 7-day free trial of the DroneBlocks curriculum, but more on that later.

The Raspberry Pi drone kit from Drone Dojo offers the most comprehensive training tool you could possibly find for learning how to build a drone. The drone kit is $900 and includes the Raspberry Pi 4B, Pixhawk Flight Controller, Drone Frame, RC Transmitter, and Receiver, as well as video tutorials teaching you how to put them together.

Alternatively, if your drone program plans to focus more on learning to fly drones or drone photography/videography, then a beginner drone like the DJI Mini 4K might be a suitable option. You’ll lose out on the ability to teach coding, but for only $299, you’ll get a great drone for teaching the basics of flying.

Drone Pilot Ground School

3. Understand Part 107 requirements

To operate drones legally in an educational setting, you need to comply with FAA regulations. Someone involved in the program, likely the teacher, must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107 license)

There are plenty of great online part 107 online test prep courses, but the Drone Pilot Ground School is Drone Girl’s top pick. (Plus use coupon code DRONEGIRL50 to save $50).

If you are an educator on a budget (aka every educator) check out the FAA’s free Part 107 UAS online training course. However, this tool is a supplemental tool and won’t cover everything found on the Part 107 test. 

The Part 107 requirements include being at least 16 years old and passing an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center. This can also be a great curriculum component, offering students the chance to earn their Part 107 certification once they turn 16. Drone Pilot Ground School partners with schools across various programs, offering their program and curriculum to students. 

Additionally, Drone Pilot Ground School offers scholarships for high school aspiring commercial drone pilots. They offer around 100 scholarships each semester for those interested in becoming FAA-certified. 

4. Develop a curriculum

There are tons of drone-based educational content and lesson plans for high school students. Some are even free and available online. 

When choosing the right curriculum for your program, consider factors such as the length of the course, budget, goals, and your student’s prior knowledge. 

You may need to search a little further than Teachers Pay Teachers (which has limited drone-related lesson plan options), but reputable sources are out there.

DroneBlocks is one of Drone Girl’s favorite all-inclusive drone education curriculums. STEM educators can purchase the curriculum for $495 per year (hardware not included) and include over 40 courses covering a range of topics such as advanced programming in Python and JavaScript, drag-and-drop block coding, access to a drone simulator, and more.  

For educators on a tight budget, Khan Academy is a free online site with lessons, exercises, and quizzes. Their “Crash Course in Indoor Flying Robots” is a great place to start. 

drone lesson plans coronavirus homeschool teach kids

5. Engage students and parents

Engaging students, parents, and the community is key to the success of your drone program. Start discussing your plan with everyone you can. Through these connections, you might find a parent eager to volunteer or a community member who works with drones.

Booking guest speakers for your program is another way to build excitement and show your students different possibilities.

Once the program is up and running, communicate regularly with parents about program goals, progress, and achievements. Show them the practical applications and benefits for their children.

6. Secure funding and resources

Funding can be a major hurdle. Explore various funding sources such as school budgets, grants, sponsorships, and fundraising.

DonorsChoose is a great fundraising tool, and there are often anonymous donors looking to support STEAM programs.

There are many STEAM grant opportunities available, but navigating grant writing can be tricky. Depending on your school or district, there may be someone who specializes in grant writing. Try to connect with that person or anyone who has experience.

Also, be sure to take advantage of any teacher or student drone discounts available.

hobby drone pilots drone online

7. Have fun!

One of the best things about starting your program is no pressure of standardized tests. A drone program allows you and your students to learn in a stress-free environment. 

So, embrace the opportunity to teach high school students about drones and all the benefits they offer.  

The post How to build a high school drone program: a step-by-step guide appeared first on The Drone Girl.