#7 - Ready, Set...

The hurdles of a freelance drone pilot

What problems am I trying to solve?

The drone industry has a plethora of use cases, including agriculture, construction, mining, surveying, photography, video production, and emergency aid. Drones can capture data at an accelerated rate, which is increasingly needed as the world becomes more reliant on technology.

In my geographic location, I see ample opportunities in agriculture. By performing weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly scans of crops, I can monitor plant growth, infestations, water leaks, and damage caused by weather. This data can then be analyzed to provide insights to growers on how to optimize crop yield and minimize waste.

Construction is another industry that is ripe for drone usage. With the recent infrastructure plan proposed by President Biden, construction is set to boom in the coming years. A bipartisan bill is also going through Congress to allocate $200M to drone surveying services within public infrastructure. However, getting my foot in the door is a challenge since I don't have contacts within the construction sector and have never worked in it before. To overcome this, I am considering hiring a virtual assistant to assist with lead generation in this industry.

On the less practical side, I also create high-quality images. Everyone needs art in their home or office, and many enjoy the unique perspective that aerial photography provides. By creating a site to sell my prints and working with various print labs, my art will be available globally. This will also provide me with an additional stream of income that I can utilize to fund my business and invest in new technology.

My goal is to leverage drone technology to provide high-quality services to various industries. By doing so, I hope to not only grow my business but also contribute to the growth of the drone industry as a whole.

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Who is my target market?

Identifying my target market has been a challenge because there are many use cases for drones. However, proving those use cases to potential clients and making initial contact is difficult. Although my services are useful and efficient, they are relatively unknown in the market. There has not been enough time for a "path to success" to be established within the drone industry. Therefore, I need to trailblaze the way for my business.

Agriculture is the first industry I intend to explore. I see an abundance of opportunities in this sector. I have a background in the wine industry, and I still maintain some of my contacts. I plan on reaching out to them once my business strategies are more developed. I am also located in an area surrounded by nut orchards, providing me with ample opportunities to practice my craft and make contacts.

In my region, you can't drive anywhere without being slowed down by construction. It's surprising that I've lived nearly 30 years without making any friends in this sector. That needs to change. The value I can provide to architects, project managers, and insurance adjusters is massive. I can create 3D maps and models that show progress updates, damage reports, volume data, and virtual walkthroughs. My services can be involved in a project with surveying land, planning, moving earth, laying foundation, and all stages of construction from that point forward. Not only will I provide external models and maps, but also internal ones utilizing 360 cameras.

My goal is to leverage drone technology to provide high-quality services to various industries. By doing so, I hope to not only grow my business but also contribute to the growth of the drone industry as a whole. With the vast opportunities in agriculture, construction, and the art market, I am confident that my drone services will provide exceptional value to my clients.

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Industry UAV Options

I recently wrote about the DJI Mini 3 Pro SDK release scheduled for next month. Based on previous articles, I had assumed that DroneDeploy would quickly integrate their software with the Mini 3 Pro. However, after a brief correspondence, I discovered that I was wrong. DroneDeploy does not currently have plans to add the Mini 3 Pro to their list of supported devices. This was a bit of a shock, but it also made me think more about my options for a new drone.

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

This drone is essentially a bigger, stronger version of the one I already own. It features a full 1" sensor with a capture resolution of 20MP. It has a foldable design for easy transport between jobs, and omnidirectional obstacle avoidance features that could be useful for inspections or video production. The battery life is around 30 minutes, similar to the Mini 3 Pro. Used, I'm looking at spending $1000 or so. It's a strong contender for my business, but let's see what else is available.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

Spec-wise, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is very similar to the Mavic 2 Pro. It has a 20MP capture and a 1" sensor. The main difference in the camera is the mechanical shutter, which prevents any rolling shutter issues that can cause problems when processing maps. However, this drone is quite large, does not fold up, and can be difficult to transport. It also has infrared sensors on the sides, as opposed to full sensors on the Mavic 2 Pro. The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 has full sensors from all other angles. Used, this drone costs around $1300.

My choice

Initially, I was leaning strongly towards the Mavic 2 Pro due to its foldable design, which is extremely convenient for transport. However, quality is my primary objective, not convenience. The mechanical shutter on the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 was the deciding factor for me. If I was only doing photos/videos, the Mavic 2 Pro would have been the way to go, but for all my other services, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 better meets my needs. Besides, I still have the Mini 3 Pro for photo/video services, and it does a fantastic job. In addition, by investing in a more powerful drone, I can expand my services and take on more complex projects. This will help to grow my business and increase profits. Overall, I am excited to see how this new drone will improve my work and bring new opportunities for growth.

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A week with Turtle

Last week was incredibly productive for me. I spent some time exploring and taking shots of the scenery around Modesto. Now, I'm excited to dive into the editing process and bring these images to life. I haven't had a chance to review the shots yet, but I'm excited to share the editing process with you all on my stream. It's always fascinating to see how different editing techniques can change the look and feel of a photo. Make sure to tune in and see what I come up with!

Through the DroneDeploy Academy, I have been immersing myself in the study of industry certifications in agriculture and construction. This has been a precious experience, as it has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the services I aim to provide. I believe that having a solid foundation of knowledge in these areas will not only enable me to offer high-quality services to my clients but also help me differentiate myself from competitors in the industry. With my newfound expertise, I feel confident that I will be able to effectively communicate the value of my services to potential clients and build long-lasting relationships with them.

As I move forward with my business, I have set some new goals for myself. One of my biggest hurdles at the moment is the fact that I need to raise $5000. Although this may not seem like a lot, it is a significant amount for me since I have no steady income and two kids at home. This money will be used to purchase the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, a 360 cam for video walkthroughs, and the necessary software licensing with DroneDeploy. While I am saving up my DoorDash earnings, I know that progress is slow and it will take me a while to reach my goal.

Therefore, I am starting to research grant opportunities to see if there are any funding sources available. With the recent infrastructure plan proposed by President Biden, I am hopeful that there may be some grant money available to me. I am determined to find it and utilize it to help grow my business. It won't be easy, but I am willing to put in the work to achieve my goals.

I spent a significant amount of time reading this week, and I was able to finish Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson, which is the fourth entry in the Stormlight Archive. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy. The world-building and character development in this series are exceptional, and Sanderson's writing style is incredibly engaging.

Additionally, I picked up The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher's Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, & More Resilient. This book has been a game-changer for me, as it has helped me shift my mindset when facing setbacks. Instead of being angry or discouraged, I now see these setbacks as opportunities to prove myself and overcome my own laziness. The author provides practical exercises and thought-provoking questions to help readers develop a more resilient and stoic mindset.

As my wife's birthday is coming up next week, I have been busy planning a special evening for her. After dinner, I’m taking her to our favorite karaoke spot where she can sing her heart out and have a great time. I believe that this will be an excellent way for her to relax and enjoy herself.

Additionally, I purchased a Cricut machine as a birthday present for her. She has been talking about starting her own business for a while now, and I think this gift will be a great way to encourage her to pursue her dreams. With the Cricut machine, she can create various craft designs and utilize them in her business.

I am excited to see her reaction to these gifts, and I hope that this will be a memorable birthday for her.