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19&nbsp; May 2025
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<a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/news/categories/brazzel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">By Timothy Brazzel</a>
Editor's Note: At press time, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro was still not officially for sale in America. Why not? &mdash; <a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/dji-mavic-4-pro-still-not-available-in-u-s-kinda-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a>.
On May 13, 2025, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro was officially launched. As a certified drone pilot, I always get excited when new technology drops especially when it's drone-related. While I&rsquo;m a DJI fan, I&rsquo;m actually a fan of any good tech. If it&rsquo;s well-built and purposeful, it has my attention.
Like many others, I&rsquo;ve spent hours watching YouTube videos covering the Mavic 4 Pro&rsquo;s release. Some videos feel like cinematic unveilings, others are analytical reviews&mdash;but either way, it fuels the curiosity and desire to experience the gear firsthand.
<h5 class="p4">The Power of DJI&rsquo;s Marketing and the Fear of Missing Out</h5>
DJI has long dominated the consumer and prosumer drone market, and their recent launch only proves how strong their marketing machine has become. They didn&rsquo;t hide much this time around&mdash;leaked specs were all over social platforms like X (formerly Twitter) for months. This led to a massive wave of &ldquo;gear FOMO&rdquo;&mdash;fear of missing out on the latest and greatest.
Here&rsquo;s the reality: FOMO is real, and it&rsquo;s powerful. There&rsquo;s something psychologically intense about watching everyone else test-fly the newest gear while you&rsquo;re still rocking your last-gen drone.
<h5 class="p4">But Is the Upgrade Really Necessary?</h5>
Don&rsquo;t get me wrong, the Mavic 4 Pro is impressive. It&rsquo;s a well-built drone with some serious specs, and eventually I will purchase one. But what happens when you want to upgrade&hellip; and you can't? Due to current U.S.-China trade tensions and ongoing restrictions, or maybe you just can&rsquo;t afford it right now, basically the Mavic 4 Pro is not widely available in the U.S. for the average pilot.
Unless you&rsquo;re part of the top-tier YouTube elite who received a review unit, you may feel excluded. That&rsquo;s frustrating. I get it. I felt it too.
<h5 class="p4">My Drone Journey: From Mavic Pro to Mavic 3</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/c1HhAX98qipkDGSEZ2wqMRaSt7taQvDED5AyomAw.png" alt="" width="315" height="272" />
I gave my original Mavic Pro to my dad and upgraded to the Mavic 3 after earning my Part 107 certification. At the time, it felt like the perfect pro-level drone. Then DJI released not one, but two additional versions of the same drone. I was irritated. I didn&rsquo;t want to jump through more hoops to get a &ldquo;complete&rdquo; version.
But here&rsquo;s the deeper lesson I&rsquo;ve learned: &ldquo;Mastery trumps equipment.&rdquo;
A seasoned pilot with a Mavic Air 2S can absolutely outshoot a rookie flying a Mavic 4 Pro. That&rsquo;s why I advocate for truly knowing your gear&mdash;inside and out. Learn how to master camera settings, flight modes, editing workflows, and storytelling. The drone is just a tool. You are the creative engine.
<h5 class="p4">Proof from the Field</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/QLtm9WlPzvJt59OuSDL91qnGKCJL5bXEenXm69Wp.png" alt="" width="315" height="246" />
Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, California
I&rsquo;ve captured high-quality work with my Mavic 3 that clients loved&mdash;work that I believe could easily stand alongside footage from the newest models. Why? Because I understood what my drone could do. I maximized it.
There are professional filmmakers and influencers out there using surprisingly modest gear. Yet their content stands out because they&rsquo;ve mastered their tools.
<h5 class="p4">4 Tips to Maximize Your Current Gear</h5>
&bull; Explore Underused Flight Modes &ndash; Experiment with Hyperlapse, Waypoints, or QuickShots. &bull; Master using ND Filters and Lighting Conditions &ndash; Learn how lighting and filters can elevate your footage. &bull; Improve Post-Production Skills &ndash; Color grading, motion graphics, and sound design can take your content from good to exceptional. &bull; Revisit Old Locations &ndash; Return to past spots and apply better technique, angles, or timing.
<h5 class="p4">Let&rsquo;s Talk Financial Stewardship</h5>
Impulse buying can sabotage your long-term creative goals. I&rsquo;ve made emotional purchases before and regretted them. Now that the Mavic 4 Pro isn&rsquo;t immediately available to me, I&rsquo;m choosing to (budget) for it properly rather than rushing into it.
Be intentional with your purchases. Don&rsquo;t buy on hype buy based on ROI (return on investment).
<h5 class="p4">Create with Purpose, Not Pressure</h5>
Audience engagement doesn&rsquo;t just come from crisp video specs&mdash;it comes from storytelling, creativity, and connection. Use what you already have. Stretch it. Push your limits. Think about (impact) over image quality.
In the end, it&rsquo;s not about having the most expensive gear. It&rsquo;s about how you use what you&rsquo;ve got.
Your drone is just the tool. Your vision is the value.
My desire is that someone has benefited from reading this article and free&rsquo;s themselves from the pressure and impulse of the need to continuously upgrade to the next best thing.
Keep flying, keep learning, and keep growing,
<h5 class="p10">Subscribe to Inspire with Drones </h5>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Inspirewithdrones3342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Join the Flight Crew here!</a>

Mavic 4 Pro FOMO?

On May 14, 2025, a significant development took place in the evolution of U.S. drone policy as the Trump Administration moved two critical drone regulations to the White House for review. These regulations&mdash;focused on Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and the protection of critical infrastructure under Section 2209&mdash;highlight the government&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening the nation&rsquo;s leadership in commercial drone technology. This move has been widely lauded by industry stakeholders, including the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA), which views it as a positive step toward unlocking the full potential of drone applications that can benefit society, stimulate economic growth, and enhance national security.
Broadening Horizons with BVLOS Regulations
The BVLOS regulation (RIN 2120-AL82) is a cornerstone in the effort to expand drone operations beyond the visual scope of the operator. Currently, FAA regulations primarily restrict drone flights to within the pilot&rsquo;s direct line of sight, which inherently limits operational scope and practicality for many commercial uses. To conduct tasks such as delivering medical supplies to remote health clinics or inspecting long stretches of pipelines and power lines, drones need to fly beyond visual range safely and reliably.
The proposed BVLOS rule aims to streamline this process, reducing the lengthy and often burdensome approval procedures that currently restrict these operations. By establishing clear safety standards and generally allowing more widespread deployment of BVLOS flights, the regulation would facilitate scalable drone operations across multiple sectors. Elissa Ellman, CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance, emphasized that this regulation is a &ldquo;critical deregulatory action&rdquo; that attacks the outdated regulations holding back innovation and economic growth in America.
Aligning with Executive Order 14192, which emphasizes reducing regulatory burdens to promote economic growth, the BVLOS rule would enable the development and deployment of advanced detect-and-avoid systems critical for safe BVLOS operations. These systems incorporate radar, LiDAR, cameras, and artificial intelligence&mdash;technologies that work together to give drones the ability to detect obstacles and avoid collisions autonomously. As the regulatory framework evolves to support these innovations, U.S. manufacturers and service providers are expected to increase investments in these technologies, driving job creation in design, manufacturing, and drone service sectors.
From an economic standpoint, the expansion of BVLOS operations is poised to unlock tremendous market opportunities. Industry analysts project that the global drone market will reach approximately $63 billion by 2030, driven largely by growth in commercial applications like logistics, agriculture, infrastructure maintenance, and public safety. By simplifying and expanding the regulatory environment, the United States has the potential to foster a vibrant, innovative drone industry that can lead the world in technological advancements and market share.
Securing Infrastructure with Section 2209
Parallel to the push for operational expansion is a focus on safeguarding critical infrastructure through the progress of the Section 2209 regulation. Enacted by the 2016 FAA Extension Act, Section 2209 mandates the FAA to develop rules that restrict unauthorized drone flights near sensitive sites such as airports, nuclear facilities, power plants, and military installations. With the increasing frequency of drone sightings near such sites&mdash;some of which have resulted in security breaches or safety risks&mdash;the regulation aims to establish a solid legal framework for security and operational safety.
The advancement of the Section 2209 rule would facilitate the designation of no-fly zones around critical infrastructure, ensuring that drones can be integrated safely and securely into the airspace without impeding legitimate commercial and public safety operations. For instance, drone-based inspections of energy infrastructure, which have the potential to significantly reduce costs and improve safety, can be more widely adopted once operators are confident that their activities are protected by clear regulations and security measures.
Liz Forro, CDA&rsquo;s Policy Director, highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with security, noting that &ldquo;innovation and security are two sides of the same coin for drone integration.&rdquo; The progress in Section 2209 could both foster the adoption of drone technology in infrastructure maintenance and inspection and enhance national security by preventing malicious or accidental drone incursions into sensitive areas. This regulatory development will likely encourage infrastructure owners and operators to leverage drone technology for regular inspections, emergency response, and security surveillance, confident in the knowledge that their activities are protected by appropriate regulatory oversight.
Industry and Government Synergy
The move of these drone regulations to the White House for review underscores the Biden Administration's recognition of the significance of drone technology as a driver of economic growth, innovation, and national security. By focusing on these two regulatory areas simultaneously, the government demonstrates a cohesive strategy to promote the safe expansion of commercial drone use in the United States.
The Commercial Drone Alliance&rsquo;s enthusiastic response highlights the industry&rsquo;s anticipation that these regulatory updates will create a more predictable and supportive environment for drone companies to innovate and grow. It also aligns with broader themes of deregulation and technological advancement promoted through Executive Order 14192, which directs federal agencies to cut unnecessary regulatory red tape to foster innovation.
The regulatory progress is expected to trigger a wave of technological upgrades within the drone sector. Manufacturers will likely accelerate the development of detect-and-avoid systems, while infrastructure owners can begin to utilize drones

Trump Administration Pushes Forward with BVLOS Drone Rules and Section 2209 Reforms

13 May 2025
<a href="https://www.warren.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WarrenUAS</a>, one of the leading collegiate sUAS (drone) training programs in the country, has registered another major win for their program with word this week that the Federal Aviation Administration has granted the WarrenUAS program permission to operate larger (above 55 pounds) UAS in the National Airspace, as well as the ability to train students operators to fly such aircraft. The large majority of exemptions issued for 55 pound and heavier aircraft have limitations on providing training.
Currently, it is one of only five organizations to have such clearance.
The Section 44807 exemption adds to a string of recent developments at WarrenUAS, including additions of new facilities, additional technology, and the hiring of instructors and advisers with industry-leading experience in the most sophisticated UAS operations for the agriculture, government, and infrastructure sectors.
Just as notably, the college has obtained Part 107 waivers for use by its students with real-world flight experience by being among the first group of institutions in the country to have FAA approval to fly drones over populated areas and beyond the visual line of sight of the operator under a Part 107 waiver.
&ldquo;This is another huge step for WarrenUAS and moves our program into an elite group of institutions to have the legal clearance to fly these complex systems,&rdquo; said Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College, the home of WarrenUAS, which has been a priority for Austin. &ldquo;Like us, the FAA is extremely cautious about the circumstances under which it allows drones to be operated, so we are honored that they have given us authorization to properly train the new generation of professionals to work safely in this sector of the industry.&rdquo;
Nathan&nbsp;Ernst, president and founder of The Tactien Group, which recently began collaborating with WarrenUAS&nbsp;on training structures for the operation of larger and more sophisticated systems, called the exemption a &ldquo;remarkable achievement&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Our firm specializes in the operational oversight of these larger UAS, and as the industry begins to increase the utilization of these systems, the need for properly trained professionals become more and more critical,&rdquo; Ernst said. &ldquo;Having this authorization for a higher education institution is a ground-breaking step in the right direction &ndash; and WarrenUAS&nbsp;is a great place for it to be based.&rdquo;
Jonathan Rupprecht, a drone attorney and flight instructor specializing in FAA regulatory issues, played a key role in the multi-year process of gaining the exemption based upon his over a decade of legal experience in obtaining hundreds and hundreds of exemptions for drone operations.
&nbsp;&ldquo;The college is positioning itself as being the preeminent educational institution to provide training on how to fly unmanned aircraft. The college has carefully laid the groundwork to assemble the right team of experts with the goal of providing expert training in these sophisticated systems.&rdquo;
Section 44807 is a part of the United States Code that defines the operation limitations of UAS above 55 pounds. Under a very strict set of circumstances, the FAA will grant relief (exemptions) from some of those limitations, provided the applicant can demonstrate the appropriate level of competency and has the correct level of procedures in place. Upon review of WarrenUAS&rsquo; submission, the FAA decided to grant such exemption to portions of section 44807 allowing the organization to expand training capabilities into the realm of larger UAS.
&ldquo;Each step in the advancement of the WarrenUAS program through these FAA certifications/authorizations has been rigorous and challenging &ndash; for good reason,&rdquo; Austin said. &ldquo;When it comes to safely flying unmanned systems, we take our responsibility very seriously and demand our students share in these safety philosophies while they gain practical experience in an environment with the highest standards. That is what the FAA expects.&rdquo;
WarrenUAS, which began with a handful of students and a dozen drone systems, has expanded to accept next fall more than 100 students to be trained in the design, maintenance and safe, regulated flight of unmanned systems. They&rsquo;ll have access to more than 100 drone systems worth more than $5 million and gain experience and classroom training through two new fully equipped facilities for the program, led by some of the top experts in the field.
&ldquo;We began the program because we saw the need for trained professionals in this field and recognize the many ways these skills could be used on farms, for utilities, by law enforcement and in all types of research related to the environment and wildlife. At the same time, there was a lot of interest by students who understood that they could have really satisfying, high-paying careers in this field,&rdquo; Austin said.
Agriculture has been a priority for Austin personally and the program, with development of a precision agriculture program to train students in the growing uses of drones and robotics to make farms more efficient and sustainable. But students have also had opportunities to work on real-life circumstances where drones are used in law enforcement, environmental studies, infrastructure inspection, and land use research.
The program recently added to its deep ties in the unmanned aircraft systems industry through a collaborative agreement with the The Tactien Group LLC, a leading aviation strategic advisory firm guiding clients worldwide. The agreement with Tactien comes as Warren also has brought on Ed Celiano, one of the nation&rsquo;s leading experts in large-scale, complex UAS, and the past executive director of the New Jersey Unmanned Aviation Systems Test Site.
Both Ernst and Celiano are experts in the type of equipment the new exemption allows Warren UAS to operate, train, and prepare a workforce to serve the growing UAS industry. In addition, WarrenUAS was the first community college in the US to be certified as an AUVSI Trusted Operator training provider, and students still have the option of gaining that professional certification among others as part of their degree program or through their non-credit certification process.
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Starting this fall, graduates of Warren Community College can experience seamless transfer to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University as part of another dynamic partnership which allows faculty and students at both institutions to train together. &ldquo;The goal is always to partner with the best aviators in the UAS industry to provide students with the training and education they need to be safe, while providing employers with the professionals they need to remain competitive in the marketplace,&rdquo; Austin said. &nbsp;
Beyond that, just last week, two of the most widely respected higher education institutions in the country recognized Warren County Community College for providing access and support to its students and assuring they are successful after they graduate. &nbsp;Warren was one of just about 400 community colleges in the nation named by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education (ACE) in its prestigious Student Access and Earnings Classification process, and among only about 200 who received &ldquo;high&rdquo; rating for access.
Austin believes that along with training students in safe operation of sophisticated equipment, WarrenUAS provides access to the exciting field of unmanned systems for dedicated, serious students at a low cost. Sixty credit transferable accredited degrees can be achieved for about $10,000 in total, and textbooks never cost more than $200 a year due to other significant partnerships that have been realized during Austin&rsquo;s 20+ year career as president.

WarrenUAS granted FAA 44807 approval

12 May 2025
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<div>Described as yet another ceasefire violation by Pakistan, Indian air defenses tangled with a fleet of suspected Pakistani drones near the International Border in the Indian-administered Jammu&rsquo;s Samba district.</div>
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<div>&ldquo;Comparatively, a very small number of drones have come in the Samba sector," explained an Army official, speaking after a ceasefire was agreed by both countries on Saturday, May 10. "They are being engaged and there is nothing to be alarmed about.&rdquo; </div>
<div>The alleged Pakistani drones appeared less than an hour after a televised address by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he affirmed his country's resolve to deal with terrorists being given shelter in Pakistan.</div>
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<div>"Pakistan must get rid of its terrorist infrastructure if it wants to be saved," said Modi. "I will also tell the global community that if we talk to Pakistan, it will be about terrorism only. It will be about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir."&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Learn More</div>
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Pakistani Drones Violate Ceasefire

Founders Column

Becoming Drone Pilot as a Career

Pilots Stories

7th May 2025
Click here to see Keonntay's Pilot Profile:
<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/keonntay-watts">https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/keonntay-watts</a>
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Growing up in Chicago, I was always fascinated by cameras, movement, and storytelling. After high school in 2012, I dove headfirst into the world of cinematography. I didn&rsquo;t have formal training or expensive film school credentials, but I had something that no degree could replace&mdash;pure curiosity, a deep hunger to create, and the drive to teach myself everything I could.
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Back then, I was shooting with whatever camera gear I could get my hands on. Sometimes it was a borrowed DSLR, other times it was an old camcorder that had seen better days. I didn&rsquo;t care. Whether I was filming friends skateboarding, editing mini-documentaries, or experimenting with music video concepts, I was constantly sharpening my eye, my instincts, and my understanding of visual storytelling. I fell in love with the way you could capture emotion through movement&mdash;how a slow pan or a creative angle could say just as much as a line of dialogue.
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Around 2018, I started noticing something new taking over the cinematography world: drones. I&rsquo;d see these insane aerial shots in big-budget films and music videos, and I&rsquo;d wonder, &ldquo;How are they getting these angles?&rdquo; I quickly realized drones weren&rsquo;t just toys&mdash;they were tools. They gave filmmakers like me access to a whole new perspective, quite literally.
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At first, flying drones was just a hobby. I picked up a basic consumer drone to see what all the hype was about. I remember the very first flight like it was yesterday. I took it out to an open field on the South Side of Chicago, nervous and excited, fingers shaking a little as I fired up the controller. As soon as that drone lifted off the ground and hovered in place, I felt something shift inside me. It was like I had unlocked a superpower.
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I spent months learning the ins and outs of flying. I practiced in parks, open lots, even empty parking garages. I studied how different lighting affected the footage, how wind impacted stability, how to pan smoothly and track subjects. And of course, I crashed a few times&mdash;okay, more than a few. But every mistake taught me something. I became obsessed with mastering the controls and getting the most cinematic shots possible.
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&nbsp;Eventually, I began integrating drone footage into my video projects. The first time I used a drone in a music video was a game-changer. It was a simple rooftop scene in downtown Chicago, but that overhead shot pulling away from the artist as the skyline lit up behind him? It gave the whole video a bigger feel, like something you&rsquo;d see on MTV. Artists started to take notice, then the inquiries started rolling in from all kinds of people. I was soo eager and ready to provide it.
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&nbsp;I realized that if I was going to take this to the next level, I needed to make it official. So I studied for and passed the FAA Part 107 exam, becoming a certified commercial drone pilot. That license opened up a whole new world of opportunity. No longer just a guy with a camera and a drone, I was now a licensed operator, legally cleared to shoot commercially, whether it was for a wedding, a real estate company, or a construction firm needing aerial inspections.
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That was a huge turning point for me. The Part 107 wasn&rsquo;t just a formality. It gave me confidence, legitimacy, and access to bigger jobs. Around this time, my work began to shift more heavily toward event coverage. Weddings were a natural fit. There&rsquo;s something magical about capturing a bride walking down the aisle from above, or sweeping over a scenic venue during golden hour. Clients loved it, and word started to spread.
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Chicago is a big city with a diverse range of venues, neighborhoods, and landscapes from the sleek architecture of the Loop to the historic charm of the West Side, the beaches along Lake Michigan to the gritty industrial zones. Every location brought new creative challenges and inspiration. One weekend I&rsquo;d be flying over a beachside ceremony, the next I&rsquo;d be tracking a Lamborghini cruising down Lakeshore Drive for a music video.
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&nbsp;Over the years, I&rsquo;ve developed a signature style. I blend smooth, cinematic motion with an eye for composition and storytelling. I want my viewers feel something watching my work. Whether it&rsquo;s the grandeur of a wedding day or the energy of a music video, I treat every project like it&rsquo;s my own film. I want every frame to tell a story.
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Of course, it hasn&rsquo;t always been smooth flying, literally or figuratively. Drone work in a city like Chicago can be tricky. Between FAA airspace restrictions, no-fly zones, weather conditions, and unpredictable city elements, every flight has to be carefully planned. I&rsquo;ve had shoots get rescheduled due to sudden winds, and I&rsquo;ve had to negotiate with property managers just to get clearance. But those challenges have taught me how to be adaptable, resourceful, and always ready with a backup plan.
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Looking back, what started as a simple hobby turned into a career I genuinely love. The journey from a self-taught videographer in 2012 to a certified drone operator with five years of flight experience hasn&rsquo;t been easy, but it&rsquo;s been incredibly rewarding. I&rsquo;ve built a brand, gained loyal clients, and earned a reputation for delivering top-tier aerial visuals.
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&nbsp;And I&rsquo;m still learning. The drone world evolves quickly&mdash;new tech, new regulations, new creative techniques. I stay sharp by keeping up with industry trends, testing new gear, and constantly pushing myself to improve. Whether I&rsquo;m flying a compact drone for tight urban shots or piloting a larger rig for a complex cinematic scene, I bring the same passion and attention to detail that got me started in the first place.
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&nbsp;More than anything, I&rsquo;m grateful for the chance to do what I love, to see the world from a different angle, and to bring that perspective to others through my work. Being a drone pilot isn&rsquo;t just about flying&mdash;it&rsquo;s about vision, creativity, and storytelling. It&rsquo;s about capturing moments that can&rsquo;t be replicated from the ground.
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&nbsp;And in this sky-high journey that started with curiosity and a camera, I know I&rsquo;m just getting started.
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Pilot Story: Keonntay Watts

Drone Delivery

2nd May 2025
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DZYNE Technologies, a leading innovator in autonomous defense solutions, announced today the delivery of multiple &ldquo;Grasshopper&rdquo; expendable aerial cargo glider vehicles to the U.S. Air Force. This delivery is part of a broader ongoing program to enhance contested logistics capabilities.
A Game-Changer in Contested Logistics
Designed for precision aerial logistics, Grasshopper offers a cost-effective, autonomous solution for delivering payloads in high-risk environments while minimizing operational risks for manned aircraft. Developed in response to a warfighter request for standoff cargo delivery, Grasshopper was created in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force to provide a low-cost logistics solution capable of reaching areas inaccessible to traditional aircraft.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/IAy7SWREIt6n4b2y1n7Sf8d0nNAoKnF9dEKj36Ae.jpg" alt="" width="755" height="792" />
"The delivery of Grasshopper is a testament to the success of our collaboration with the Air Force in developing an autonomous resupply solution that meets the demands of contested environments," said Matthew McCue CEO of DZYNE Technologies. "By working closely, we were able to design and refine the Grasshopper product line into a cost-effective, high-performance aerial logistics platform. This milestone underscores the impact of this partnership, and the critical role Grasshopper will play not only in contested logistics but also in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, where rapid, precise, and unmanned delivery of critical supplies can save lives."
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The Grasshopper has transitioned from a research effort to a fielded capability in under 12 months due to close cooperation between the Air Force, DZYNE Technologies, and its users. This latest delivery is part of a broader initiative to modernize aerial resupply capabilities in contested environments.
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<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/H2VkQpwe8eneW1J0JshaWhXFDhniofl2HqdnXv1l.jpg" alt="" width="762" height="545" />
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"Grasshopper represents a transformative leap in autonomous resupply," added Dr. Thomas Howell, Portfolio Lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory. "Its ability to deliver critical payloads from standoff distances while keeping our aircraft and crews out of harm&rsquo;s way is a major advantage in modern operational environments."
Expected Operational Value 
<ul>
<li>Delivering cargo from beyond enemy threat ranges into denied environments</li>
<li>Supports humanitarian relief and logistics resupply missions</li>
<li>Deployable from a variety of platforms</li>
</ul>
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Scalable for Growing Demand
Building on the success of the short- to mid-range Grasshopper, DZYNE Technologies is actively developing a longer-range variant, expected to be available in early 2026, to further enhance autonomous logistics capabilities in contested environments.
To accommodate rising demand for the Grasshopper product line and DZYNE Technologies' UAS division&mdash; featuring flagship products ULTRA and LEAP&mdash;the company expanded its manufacturing footprint in late 2023. The new 125,000-square-foot facility in Irvine, California, is now ramping up Grasshopper production to fulfill current and future orders as part of the broader program.
&nbsp;
About DZYNE Technologies&nbsp;
DZYNE is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of airborne and ground-based autonomous defense solutions purpose-built to meet modern defense needs around the globe. The company&rsquo;s solutions encompass the entire autonomous defense lifecycle and include multiple U.S. Government Programs of Record across UAS and C-UAS technologies. DZYNE is proud to support U.S. and allied military and civil defense partners worldwide. For more information, visit <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="http://www.dzyne.com/">www.dzyne.com</a>.&nbsp;

DZYNE Delivers New Autonomous Cargo Glider ‘Grasshopper’ to US Air Force

1st May 2025
Click here to see Joshua's Pilot Profile:
<a style="color: #ba372a;" title="By Joshua Walton" href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/joshua-walton">https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/joshua-walton</a>
Aviation has always been more than just planes in the sky. For me aviation is a symbol of freedom, innovation, and perspective. For me, becoming a drone pilot wasn&rsquo;t just about flying a machine; it was about seeing the world differently and discovering a new way to connect with my surroundings. That feeling only grew stronger with time. Becoming a drone pilot wasn&rsquo;t just a hobby it was a path to connect with my lifelong passion for flight, technology, and perspective.
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Growing up, starting from the age of six, I was introduced to the field of aviation. At that time, my image of aviation was limited to busy airports, what I thought were &ldquo;police officers&rdquo; in blue shirts (TSA agents), and huge aircraft that were way too loud and intimidating for a young child. I still remember clutching my seat nervously and crying during my first flight, unsure of what to expect. Luckily all it took was a single takeoff to change everything. I had the luck of receiving a window seat, and as the aircraft lifted from the ground, I saw a view that completely blew my mind, from the roads, buildings, and cars growing smaller and smaller beneath me until everything looked like a tiny model set. From that point on, I was hooked. Aviation had officially gained every bit of my interest.
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As I got older, my understanding of aviation broadened. I started to realize just how vast the field really was. At first, I imagined myself as an airline pilot, flying commercial jets across the globe. That was the only type of pilot I knew about. I would often picture myself in a captain&rsquo;s seat, announcing our descent into some exotic city. But it wasn&rsquo;t until I turned 14 that I began to discover just how many types of pilots existed. I learned about military pilots, helicopter pilots, private jet pilots, and even hot air balloon pilots. Each path seemed cool in its own way, but none of them quite matched the excitement I felt when I stumbled across drone piloting.
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Before then, I had owned a few small drones from gifts I&rsquo;d received over the years. To me, they were just toys: fun to fly around the yard but not something I took seriously. I didn&rsquo;t understand that people actually made careers out of flying drones. That changed one afternoon in my neighborhood when I saw someone operating a drone that was flying much higher and faster than anything I had ever seen. Naturally, my curiosity kicked in, and I had to ask questions. The pilot told me he was capturing aerial footage for the neighborhood website, and that he held a special license to operate drones professionally. That conversation opened my eyes. I learned about the FAA&rsquo;s Part 107 certification, about the laws surrounding drone flight, and about the real income potential for drone pilots. Most importantly, I learned that drones weren&rsquo;t just toys&mdash;they were tools. Tools for photography, surveying, inspection, marketing, emergency response, and more. That day, my perspective shifted. I no longer saw drones as something to play with&mdash;I saw them as a gateway into a new chapter of aviation. From that moment forward, I knew I wanted to earn my drone pilot license.
&nbsp;
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Studying for the Part 107 exam was both challenging and rewarding. The test required me to understand a wide range of topics from airspace classifications, weather patterns, regulations, emergency procedures, and more. I used a mix of online courses, FAA materials, and YouTube tutorials to study. The most difficult part for me was learning to read sectional charts and understanding the different classes of airspace. But I was determined. I spent weeks preparing, reviewing flashcards, taking practice exams, and watching videos late at night.
&nbsp;
The day of the test, I was beyond nervous knowing exactly what it was that I was about to do. Although I had studied for hours upon hours, I still arrived early at the testing center, reviewed my notes in the parking lot one last time, and walked in with butterflies in my stomach. When I finally clicked the &ldquo;Submit&rdquo; button on the screen and received the passing results from the testing coordinator, I felt a wave of pride wash over me. That moment marked the official beginning of my career as a certified drone pilot.
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Although I passed the test to be able to receive my Part 107 drone certification, I definitely did not want to stop at that point. Since then I have continued to practice and try to better myself with controlling my drones. Unfortunately I do not have the best of the best when it comes to drones, but I understand that you will always have to start from the bottom to get to the top. The first drone that I owned after becoming certified was the Potensic Atom, and I now own a Dji mini 3 drone. As of right now I currently have not been asked to perform any jobs or duties with the skills that I have at the moment. Even though I haven't been able to complete any task for anyone, I completely understand why. Due to the fact that I am new to this, and there are people who have done this longer than me and are honestly better than me at this skill, it will take time for me to make it to the next level. I don't let things like this bring me down, I just use these things as fuel and continue to practice and better myself and have fun with my drones. Although it might take a while to make it to the point that I would like to reach, I will always have my past goal as an image to remind me how I&rsquo;ve made it this far.
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Becoming a drone pilot has also opened up career possibilities I never would have thought of. Whether it's real estate photography, construction site inspections, or creating content for social media, there are endless paths in the drone industry. I&rsquo;m currently exploring how to build my own drone business, reaching to offer services to local businesses and individuals who want aerial footage.
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What excites me most about being a drone pilot is the combination of creativity and technical skill. I get to think like a photographer, a filmmaker, and a pilot all at once. I enjoy planning shots, choosing angles, adjusting settings, and making sure every flight is safe and successful. Every time I send my drone into the sky, I feel that same rush I had on my first flight as a six-year-old looking out the airplane window.
Looking back, I realize that my journey from a wide-eyed six-year-old on his first flight to a certified drone pilot has been filled with unexpected turns and valuable lessons. I&rsquo;ve learned to follow my curiosity, to ask questions, and to be open to new opportunities. Flying drones is more than just a skill, it&rsquo;s a passion that connects me to the world in a way that&rsquo;s both creative and purposeful. I&rsquo;m excited for what comes next. Whether it&rsquo;s continuing to grow a future business, collaborating with others in the field, or mentoring someone who was once just like me&mdash;curious, excited, and unsure.
I know that the sky is not the limit. It&rsquo;s just the beginning.

Pilot Story: Joshua Walton

28 April 2025
<a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/malik-norman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">By Malik Norman</a>
When I first set foot in flight school, my mind was set on one thing: becoming a commercial pilot. Like many others who dream of flying for a living, I was chasing altitude, runway lights, and that unmistakable rumble of a turboprop firing to life. I wanted to wear the stripes, command an aircraft, and look out at the horizon from 30,000 feet. Drones? At that point, they weren&rsquo;t even on my radar&mdash;no pun intended.
My journey into aviation began like most student pilots: with a deep passion for flight and a desire to master the skies. I enrolled in flight school full of excitement and maybe a little nervousness. The syllabus was intense, filled with aerodynamics, airspace classes, FAA regulations, and endless hours of ground school. Every day was a new lesson, every night a study session. I was completely immersed in the world of manned aviation.
The camaraderie at school was also something special&mdash;being surrounded by other aspiring pilots created a strong sense of purpose and motivation. We pushed each other to stay sharp, and although the curriculum was tough, there was something truly fulfilling about being part of a community united by the same dream.
Then came an unexpected turn.
One day, during course selection for electives, I noticed an option to take a Part 107 drone pilot certification course. It wasn&rsquo;t something I had planned on, but what caught my attention was the incentive&mdash;if I completed the course, I&rsquo;d get a free drone. That alone piqued my interest. At the time, the idea of flying a drone sounded like a fun side hobby, nothing more than a cool toy I could mess around with during downtime. It definitely didn&rsquo;t seem like anything I&rsquo;d pursue seriously.
So I signed up, half-curious and half-motivated by the prospect of scoring a free DJI drone.
To my surprise, the drone ground school wasn&rsquo;t all that different from what I was already studying. In fact, there was a remarkable overlap between manned and unmanned flight training. Concepts like airspace classifications, weather patterns, METARs and TAFs, sectional charts, radio communications, and FAA regulations were all part of the Part 107 curriculum too. What I thought would be a light, easygoing elective ended up being a full-fledged educational experience&mdash;and one that was far more demanding than I expected.
But here&rsquo;s where things started to shift.
The more I learned about drone operations, the more I realized how wrong I had been. Drones weren&rsquo;t just high-tech toys you flew around the backyard. The level of precision, situational awareness, and knowledge required to legally and safely operate one in national airspace was far greater than I had ever imagined. The FAA wasn&rsquo;t handing out licenses for weekend hobbyists&mdash;this was serious aviation.
I found myself starting to respect drone pilots in a way I hadn&rsquo;t before. It wasn&rsquo;t about just pushing a joystick and watching a screen&mdash;it was about mission planning, risk assessment, understanding the weather, respecting privacy laws, and navigating real-world airspace. I began to see drone aviation not as a side branch of aviation, but as a specialized skill set with its own challenges and rewards.
Going through the rigors of Part 107 ground school gave me a whole new appreciation for what drone pilots do. I gained a better understanding of how drones are used in industries like cinematography, search and rescue, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and more. I saw how UAVs could capture perspectives no human could reach, and how much discipline it took to fly them professionally.
When I finally passed the Part 107 exam, that certificate meant something very different to me than it did when I first signed up. It wasn&rsquo;t about a free drone anymore. It was about adding another set of wings to my aviation journey&mdash;just a different kind than I originally envisioned.
Soon after, I received my DJI Mini 3 Pro. At first, I flew just to practice, experimenting with different maneuvers, learning the controls, studying how the drone responded to weather, wind, and terrain. The more I flew, the more confident I became. That confidence turned into creativity. I started taking shots, exploring camera settings, and trying out different angles and perspectives that I never imagined I could achieve. The footage I was capturing wasn&rsquo;t just &ldquo;good for a drone,&rdquo; it was good&mdash;period.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/WCzlL4B1fq2XYJJWAz3IMX2N0JzZKMM7K16m079o.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="613" />
It&rsquo;s incredible how something that started as an afterthought quickly became a central part of my life. The more I flew, the more I realized this wasn&rsquo;t just another tool&mdash;it was an extension of myself as a pilot and as a creator. Drones opened up a new kind of freedom. Unlike traditional aircraft, which require airports and long flight plans, drones could lift off almost anywhere. I could be in the middle of a forest, on a construction site, or at the edge of the ocean, and still be airborne in minutes.
Eventually, flying drones evolved from a side interest to a professional pursuit.
Now, I fly commercially using my Mavic 2 Pro, and it has become an integral part of my career. I&rsquo;ve also logged significant hours on the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Matrice series, which opened up even more possibilities in terms of payloads and applications. Each drone has its own strengths&mdash;whether it&rsquo;s the lightweight flexibility of the Mini 3 Pro, the cinematic precision of the Mavic 2 Pro, or the industrial power of the Matrice.
Every project I take on is a new challenge. Whether I&rsquo;m shooting real estate footage, mapping terrain, documenting a construction site, or capturing a sunset over a coastline, I&rsquo;m always looking to push myself creatively and technically. I never stop learning&mdash;there&rsquo;s always a new maneuver, a new camera technique, a new airspace regulation to adapt to. And I welcome all of it.
One of the most rewarding parts of being a drone pilot is seeing how my work helps others. Whether it&rsquo;s delivering stunning aerial footage for a business, assisting with site surveys that save hours of labor, or even just giving someone a new perspective of a familiar place, there&rsquo;s a satisfaction that comes from creating value through flight.
Sometimes, I think back to when I first saw the Part 107 elective on that course list and laughed at how casually I brushed it off. I never imagined that drones would play such a major role in my professional life. But I&rsquo;m glad they did. They&rsquo;ve allowed me to merge my passion for flight with a growing fascination for visual storytelling and remote aviation technology.
What I love most about being a drone pilot is the freedom it offers&mdash;both creatively and professionally. Drones have a way of showing the world from a perspective that people rarely get to see. When I&rsquo;m in the air, framing the perfect shot or flying over an area I&rsquo;ve never explored before, there&rsquo;s a kind of thrill that&rsquo;s hard to describe. It&rsquo;s like painting with motion, using light and elevation instead of brushes and canvas.
At the same time, I never forget the responsibility that comes with the license. Flying drones&mdash;especially commercially&mdash;isn&rsquo;t just about cool footage or flying for fun. It&rsquo;s about safety, awareness, and respect for the airspace and the people around you. That&rsquo;s something I carry with me every time I lift off.
My background in manned aviation gave me a solid foundation, but it&rsquo;s my experience as a drone pilot that&rsquo;s helped me grow in ways I didn&rsquo;t expect. I&rsquo;ve learned to appreciate not just the technology behind drones, but the discipline and professionalism required to fly them. And perhaps more importantly, I&rsquo;ve learned never to underestimate an opportunity&mdash;even one that starts out with just a free drone.
Today, I consider myself lucky to be a part of the ever-evolving drone industry. I&rsquo;m proud of the work I do, the skills I&rsquo;ve developed, and the journey that brought me here. And while I still love the idea of flying commercial jets one day, I can honestly say that drones have earned their own place in my heart&mdash;and in my future.
<h5>Learn More</h5>
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Pilot Story: Malik Norman

28 April 2025
<div class="mb-4 clearfix">
Chances are you may have missed the FAA's annual Drone Safety Day celebrations on April 26, but that doesn't mean you should avoid the opportunity to "Fly Right" every day of the year.
In fact, every 12 months, the FAA uses the day to remind the&nbsp;drone community of the importance of safe flying, as well as the contributions of drones to our communities. Educational events aligned with Drone Safety Day typically highlight education, environment, and emergency services.&nbsp;
The Fly Right theme stands for:
<ul>
<li>Register your drone&nbsp;</li>
<li>Interact with others</li>
<li>Gain knowledge</li>
<li>Have a safety plan</li>
<li><abbr>TRUST</abbr>&nbsp;and Train</li>
</ul>
</div>

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