The Significance of Good Mentors
Having a mentor is one of the best things that can happen to anyone in any industry. It can change your life, your perspective, and your approach to your work. However, finding the right mentor can be a challenge, especially if you are involved in multiple industries. In my case, I find myself working in three different sectors: photo & video, mapping & surveying, and business communications. While I have found mentors for two of the three sectors, I still need to find a mentor for business.
Let me introduce you to Steve Carty, my creative mentor. Steve has been a major catalyst for change in both my professional and personal life. Working with him has been like adding a steering wheel to the vehicle that is my ambition. Instead of sitting around, hoping to get discovered from the random and subpar work I had been putting out into the world, I am now focused on my business and have expanded my drone services into several potential revenue streams. Steve has also helped me improve the quality of my photography. Every time he critiques my work or that of my peers, I learn something new. Steve offers a 1-on-1 mentorship program that I have recently joined, and I highly recommend it
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Now, let me tell you about Thomas Davis. I first came across Thomas' business, Drone for Hire, when I was researching my competition after getting my drone license. As his business is located in my town, I decided to drop by. Ever since that day, Thomas has been a well of information for the mapping and surveying industry. He has helped me understand the usefulness of data and how to present it to potential clients. I look forward to continuing my relationship with him and am grateful for the intellectual and personal support he provides.
Lastly, I am still searching for a mentor for business. However, I have been invited to participate in an upcoming Rotary Club event where I hope to make some valuable contacts and potentially find a mentor. I am excited about this opportunity and can't wait to see what connections I make. I believe that finding a mentor for business will help me expand my knowledge and skills in this industry, grow my network, and open up new opportunities for me and my business. With the right mentor, I know I can achieve great things and reach my full potential.
Multirotor vs VTOL: What’s the difference?
As drones continue to enter new industries, new variations emerge. With so many different types, it can be hard to keep track of the differences. Let's take a look at two of the most common systems: multirotor drones (quadcopters, hex-copters, octocopters) and VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) drones. Although they essentially do the same thing (capture data), these devices differ greatly in their use cases and both belong in the arsenal of a professional drone pilot.
Multirotor Drones
Multirotor drones are the most common type of drone. They have multiple arms originating from a central body, with each arm having a rotor controlled by the system housed on the body. These drones are capable of hovering in place and are very dexterous, making them ideal for photogrammetry, inspections, search and rescue operations, photography, and videography. They can reach places that are typically hard for people to reach, saving time and money, and increasing safety
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Unfortunately, multirotor drones do not perform well in high-wind or high-heat situations. This can make it difficult to complete large projects during the summer or in wind-prone terrains, such as the area along CA-i5 near Tracy, CA.
Most professional-grade multirotor drones have a battery life of 30-45 minutes under ideal conditions. Depending on how low you need to fly and how much overlap you need, a single battery can cover 40-80 acres. This makes them great for scanning construction sites, orchards, fields, and commercial real estate.
VTOL Drones
Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones are a type of unmanned aerial vehicle that possess the unique ability to take off and land vertically, without the need for a runway or dedicated takeoff/landing area. VTOL drones are capable of hovering in place, much like their multirotor counterparts, but they also have the added advantage of being able to fly like a fixed-wing drone. This dual functionality makes them a versatile choice for a wide range of applications, including surveying vast areas such as oil fields, wind farms, and power lines. In fact, VTOL drones can cover hundreds of acres in a single flight, making them an incredibly efficient option for large-scale aerial surveys
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One of the major benefits of VTOL drones is their ability to perform well in harsh environmental conditions, such as high winds and extreme heat. This makes them a preferred choice for operations that require a high degree of reliability and durability, even in challenging environments. However, it is essential to note that VTOL drones are more complex than their multirotor counterparts, which can make them more challenging to operate and maintain. Additionally, due to their advanced capabilities and increased complexity, VTOL drones are typically more expensive than multirotor drones.
Despite these challenges, the unique capabilities of VTOL drones make them an increasingly popular choice for a wide range of industries and applications. With their ability to perform tasks that would be impractical or impossible for other types of drones, VTOL drones are quickly becoming a go-to solution for many aerial surveying and inspection needs.
A Week With Turtle
I'll keep it short and sweet: it was a transitional week. I finally got a CPAP machine, and believe me, being able to breathe while sleeping is a major upgrade. Our cars are back, so I'm back to the gym. I'm revamping my entire site and working on a couple of self-directed projects that I hope will yield contracts. This next week, I'll be doing a lot of research to properly define my services on my website. I'm excited to share the changes with you once they're up.
Let me know if you have any specific requests for content or if you'd like further clarification on any subjects I write about.