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Keys to the New Drone Decade
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Thought Leaders share their insight about what’s ahead for the industry in 2020
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Drones and Our Geospatial Future
Dr. Karen Joyce, Geospatial Scientist
Co-founder, She Maps
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As a scientist, I am always looking for innovative new ways to conduct my research. Over the past decade, drone technology has been a highlight for me in this respect. To see more and more scientists from many different disciplines now using drones as part of their data collection toolbox is really exciting!
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This growth is set to continue throughout the next decade and I look forward to seeing new applications in environmental monitoring with drones helping to support data driven decisions.
Data underpins decisions made in the large majority of sectors, whether that is retail shopping, marketing, or political campaigns, and of course scientific research. Data can take many different forms, but I am most interested in the geospatial data that we can obtain from drones. Geospatial data is unique in that it records where the data were captured, so it can be mapped to a specific location on earth. Drone based geospatial data is largely in the form of aerial imagery, though also includes data from other sensor payloads.
Drones have democratised geospatial image data capture that was previously locked up with aerial survey and satellites owned by large organisations (e.g. NASA, USGS) and specialist survey companies. With tens of thousands of drones now flown in the hobby / recreation sector, this opens a new means of data collection to the masses.
And masses of data we are collecting! We are now talking in the order of zettabytes (1021 bytes) – though not just from drones. In 2020, I hope to see us starting to curate this valuable environmental data and joining the citizen science movement on a broader scale.
Citizen science is science beyond the PhDs, with everyday people taking an interest in what is happening in their backyard, and how they can help scientists solve larger problems. By collecting millions of data points (including drone photos), and having these centrally collected, it allows us to analyse patterns and processes in the environment, and to measure how things are changing over time.
Our whole planet is constantly changing over time. In 2019, we saw a worldwide awakening around climate change. With bushfires in the Amazon, Siberia, and most recently Australia, there has been a devastating impact on the environment. This collision of environmental impact, climate change, and often devastation happening right in their backyards, has bought about the question of – what can I do to help create a better future?
So we have the ability to collect valuable environmental data, and large numbers of people wanting to help do so. We have desire, intent, and ability. We also have computing power and a growing number of algorithms available for processing masses of data.
In 2020 I believe that we need to harness these components to inform truly innovative solutions to some of our big environmental challenges. These are my recommendations of the steps we can take to achieve traction on this, noting that we are already part-way along this journey:
- Develop standardised methods for drone based geospatial data capture to ensure that any change detected is not an artefact of the data capture method;
- Develop algorithms specific to the high spatial resolution of drone image data;
- Create publically available archives to search and discover drone data; and
Educate the public to show that drones capture more than just pretty pictures, and that they can help collecting geospatial data.
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Focusing on Future Generations with Drone Education
LaQuata Sumter, CEO/Founder
Focusing On Me, Inc
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| With the prediction of the drone industry becoming a billion-dollar industry in 2020; I foresee the increase in usage of drones in the agriculture, construction and public safety sectors. With this increase I feel that the need for drone education will increase. |
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There will not only be an increase in the need to learn the skills for flying and passing the FAA Part 107, but also in K-12 education for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) student engagement. Currently, we see that drones are not only a fun and engaging tool for students in some schools but can also be used to teach students skills in STEAM. For example, students learn principles of physics, aeronautics, logic and practical application as well as coding skills.
It will be critical to begin engaging young students in drone technologies from an early age to better prepare them for the future of drone technology. I predict there will be a need for programs and organizations to teach students interacting with drone technology through programming as well as fundamentals of math, science and logic. With autonomous flying being a developing process for drone flights, the need for programming drones will increase. With this increase students can learn programming languages such as Python. Python is an open source programming language created by Guido van Rossum in 1991 and is currently being used worldwide especially in the robotics industry.
While there will be an increase interest for drones in the classroom there will also be a need for teacher training and professional development. Professional development will assist educators with drone curriculum and building their confidence with drone technology. It has been stated that effective professional development enables educators to develop knowledge and skills needed to address students’ learning challenges with introducing new curriculum to the classroom. The increase need for professional development will be for those educators wanting to incorporate drones into their curriculum but have no idea where to start. The new professional development programs will cover how to get off the ground with drone programs in schools. I believe this would include safe regulations and laws as well.
I look forward to the new opportunities in drone education in 2020 with the growth and expansion in the drone industry.
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Drone Technology and the New Normal
Kim Players, First Lady of Drones
CEO of MasterYourDrone.com
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| Daily my company Master Your Drone receives phone calls and emails from inquiring minds wanting to learn more about drone technology. From the senior in High School looking to start their own side business to the Workforce Development Organization seeking to integrate drone technology into their current programs, drone technology is more in demand than ever before. |
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As an entrepreneur in the drone world I get the joy of sharing my vision and passion for drone technology with the consumer market. I knew this was the future! The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification validates and secures the future of UAS. As laws become more defined the market for drone technology opens up. Rules, regulations, and accountability will assist to move the technology forward and educate the consumer.
The job market for experienced Part 107 Remote Pilots is growing as well. All over the USA companies are offering UAS pilots ground level opportunities to integrate drone technology into the company culture. I recently trained a professional whose company does historical restoration in Philadelphia. Due to the risk of hanging off buildings to get photos of deteriorating facade, the company decided to reduce risk by incorporating drone technology to vertically fly the building and collect high resolution, detailed images with a Phantom 4 V.2. Another example is a check cashing company that deals with break in’s daily. Using drones to inspect buildings and document break in attempts visually has created a safer environment for employees and saved the company money. These are a couple of invaluable aspects of drones making a big impact in private enterprise.
The upcoming year 2020 started out fast and furious with the proposed FAA Remote ID NPRM controversy, utility inspection contracts and drone delivery. Drone technology is becoming the new normal for risk mitigation and deliverable goods. As I mentioned “drones are the future and the future is now. Drone integration in my opinion is in its infancy. UAS education and flight proficiency are the keys to success. “A good pilot is always learning” states one of my team members who is a manned aircraft pilot and is passionate about flying drones. I totally agree. I am learning every day in so many ways and love every minute of my drone life!
When you are in the Philadelphia area look me up. We can grab a Philly cheesesteak and capture some aerial photos of the historical landmarks that define our great country. The view from the sky is spectacular!
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Moving UAS Ecosystem Forward with Manned Aviation’s Best Practices
Michelle Dina, Director of Education
Unmanned Safety Institute
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| Urban Air Mobility. Package Delivery. Medical Delivery. Counter UAS. Cybersecurity. 2019 was an incredibly exciting year with lots of buzz around these new and evolving applications and issues related to drones. Advances in technology continue to increase the safety and redundancy of UAS systems facilitating greater integration into the National Airspace System. |
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As more advanced applications of UAS are developed and implemented Unmanned Safety Institute is seeing more companies performing higher risk, more complex operations continuing to embrace a professional-mindset by developing formalized UAS programs. We’re particularly seeing this in the energy, telecommunications, public safety, and construction sectors. Having spent much of my aviation career in business aviation, I’m especially excited to see this adoption taking place.
Unmanned Safety Institute believes there will be a continued recognition, adoption, and integration of traditional manned aviation best practices and procedures into the UAS ecosystem. Manned aviation has 100+ years of lessons learned in safety, risk management, crew resource management, and human factors. As companies scale their UAS programs these lessons, the “goodness of aviation” so to speak, will take on greater importance with increased adoption and implementation into their operations and creation of formalized programs. Additionally, the need for standardized maintenance procedures, quality management, and audit programs (both internal and external) will start to become integrated into UAS programs across all industries and verticals. In an era of consolidation, this professional mindset adoption will continue to legitimize and to grow the industry and opportunities for established players. Requiring pilots, operations staff, maintenance and other personnel to go beyond basic certification and proficiency will create the next generation of industry leaders, visionaries, and innovators.
We’re excited to be part of this amazing time and to help grow the aviation industry and workforce - Happy 2020!
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Five Changing Trends to How Organizations Approach Drone Program Implementation
By: Abby Speicher Carroll, CEO
DARTdrones
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| Over the last few years, there has been explosive growth and development in the drone industry, made possible by the rapid development of new technology. However, this explosive growth has also created uncertainty for many organizations that want to incorporate drones into their operations. |
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From 2015 - 2018, the trend was to take a cautious approach to rolling out drone programs. Organizations implemented small “trial” teams of pilots with as little up front investment into equipment as possible.
As we transition to 2020, we at DARTdrones are seeing a significant shift in the approach organizations are taking to implementation of new drone programs. Many are realizing that building out their drone programs more completely at the beginning actually saves time and money in the long run. They are spending more time on planning, focusing on identifying high quality drone pilots, and committing to larger, more structured programs up front. Below are the five major shifts that we have seen in the implementation of organizational drone programs in 2019.
- Increased Upfront Planning
A majority of the drone training or program roll-out issues we see are related to a lack of comprehensive planning prior to making commitments. Let’s face it, it can be confusing trying to figure out how the software, hardware, regulations, training, and procedures all come together to create a new drone program. We’ve seen far too many organizations commit to equipment prior to fully understanding their goals and use cases. Later, they find out the equipment they purchased isn’t ideal for their intended use case. Or that the use case they were most excited about actually only touches the surface on how an sUAS can help their business. Our team has definitely seen a shift in the conversation around upfront planning, and it is starting to pay off for new sUAS programs.
- Larger Pilot Teams
In past years, in seemed the trend among companies was to start their drone programs small with an initial test group, then plan to slowly scale their program later. As we roll into 2020, we are seeing far more programs commit to larger pilot teams upfront. We actually give the increased emphasis on the planning stage a lot of credit for this change. Managers are far more confident that they are on the right path and thus more excited to stand up the program quickly.
- Focus on Vetting New Pilots
In 2017 and 2018, we saw quite a few drone programs require that current employees, many with no interest in drones, become drone pilots. As we look back, organizations are seeing that as many as 2/3rds of those employees drop out of the program either for lack of interest or anxiety over flying a drone. Now, many companies are taking a more measured approach to vetting their potential drone pilots, thereby ensuring they have a long-term interest and invested in the success of the program. This more thoughtful pilot selection process prior to training is leading to more dedicated and professional pilots. Ultimately, this makes drone programs more stable and successful in the long run.
- Commitment to Flight Assessments
In the past, many organizations either decided to “pass” on required flight assessments of their new drone teams or took on the huge challenge of trying to design their own flight assessment program. The consensus is in; flight assessments are essential. Fortunately, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, in conjunction with over 200 industry representatives, has created an industry certification program called the Trusted Operator Program™ (TOP). This program, which consists of a three tier certification system, provides organizations with a highly effective way to vet and certify both internal and contract drone pilots. To be certified as a TOP Level 2 Remote Pilot, an sUAS pilot is required to pass an intensive, in-person flight assessment. Many organizations are finding passing this assessment to be an important requirement for their pilots as they build their drone programs.
- Excitement for Pilot Management Programs
Managers are also realizing the importance of tracking and managing their pilot teams to ensure accurate pre-flight planning, compliance with FAA regulations, and continuing education. Innovative software options, like Kittyhawk, are being implemented by drone program managers at small, medium, and large companies. We at DARTdrones have also jumped into this space with our new training management software, the PilotHub. These software programs both help organizations keep their programs running smoothly and provide the ability to scale up seamlessly.
Takeaways
Though in the past most companies started out tentatively, it now appears that many are investing more upfront to create a comprehensive plan for their drone programs. Upfront planning, the creation of standard operating procedures, hiring more initial pilots, tracking pilot success, and working with a professional training organization can help make organizational drone programs far more successful.
About the Author
Abby Speicher Carroll is the CEO and Founder of DARTdrones, a drone training and consulting company with a presence in over 30 cities nationwide. DARTdrones has trained thousands of new drone pilots, including those from major broadcast networks, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. Most recently, Abby successfully pitched DARTdrones on ABC’s Shark Tank. Abby founded DARTdrones while earning her MBA at Babson College. She was awarded first place in Babson’s annual B.E.T.A. Business Plan Competition, first place at the TecBridge Business Plan Competition, and the Class of 2015’s Entrepreneurship Award. In 2019, Abby was also awarded Forbes 30 under 30.
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