Eric Seger
DJI Announces the Zenmuse L2

On 10/10, DJI announced the Zenmuse L2. We believe the new L2 will offer exceptional technical improvements over both the L1 and the current mid-tier sensor market. We’re excited to share what we know about the delivery timeline, and how we view the technical specs.

DJI Announces the Zenmuse L2
Drone Hardware, Drone Data Processing
Guest User
DJI Zenmuse L1 Lidar Review

DJI’s long-anticipated L1 sensor is finally here, and we’ve been doing dozens of test flights and spending hundreds of hours flying and analyzing data to create a real-world, field-tested review of the newest DJI L1 sensor.

DJI Zenmuse L1 Lidar Review
Drone Hardware
Guest User
Which lenses work with the DJI P1?

DJI states that “The P1 supports 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm lenses with industry-specific DL mounts. Only use lenses engraved with the "DJI Enterprise" logo to produce survey-grade accurate results.” But, there is more to the story.

Which lenses work with the DJI P1?
Drone Hardware, Drone Surveying
Guest User
Do you need the DJI D-RTK 2 Base Station?

There are numerous ways to process GNSS data from the DJI M300 RTK and the Phantom 4 RTK. This article will discuss the five most common methods for processing data from DJI RTK drones and weigh their strengths and weaknesses.

Read the article to get answers to these common questions:

  • Can I use my Trimble, Leica, or Topcon base with the Phantom 4 RTK?

  • Is it possible to use my NTRIP correction service without a base station?

  • Will the DJI D-RTK 2 work as a standalone base or rover?

Do you need the DJI D-RTK 2 Base Station?
Drone Hardware, Drone Surveying
Guest User
Is the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced a good drone ...

Is the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced a good drone for Land Surveying?

Is the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced a good drone for Land Surveying?

The Key to Success with Drones

The Key to Success with Drones

The Aerotas Map Package is an all-inclusive package of everything an organization needs to start mapping by drone, and it leverages many lessons that the Aerotas team has learned in our consulting practice. It leverages the technology — hardware and software — that we have vetted and found to be most reliable. It leverages our hard-learned best practices in the form of operations guides and training. It leverages thorough study of efficient insurance coverage and regulatory compliance. But the one lesson that it leverages more than any other is this: start simply.

How to Make Drone Operations Reliable

How to Make Drone Operations Reliable

Logan@Aerotas.com

Last week, I spent a day in the field getting a client trained on their new UAV equipment. Naturally, I thought this would be a great chance to test out a new aircraft that we recently received. Unfortunately, I made a mistake that is all too common in UAV operations: I left all of my batteries sitting in their charger back in the office. Having good operational procedures and good training is the solution to prevent this and worse mistakes. In this post we dig into why following procedures and checklists is crucial on every job.

What a Surveyor Needs to Know to Start Mapping by Drone: The Technology

What a Surveyor Needs to Know to Start Mapping by Drone: The Technology

Daniel@aerotas.com

In our article in California Surveyor Magazine, “What you need to know to determine if UAVs are right for your survey business,” we identify the key factors that land surveyors must consider when deciding whether to begin using survey drones as part of their business. In this post, we will dig in to the first topic that a surveyor needs to understand before deciding whether to start using a drone for aerial mapping: the basic stack of survey drone technology.

What Do New Commercial Drone Laws Mean for Surveyors?

What Do New Commercial Drone Laws Mean for Surveyors?

Daniel@aerotas.com

When Part 107 goes into effect in August, it will open huge opportunities for businesses across industries to use drones in daily operations. Given the contents of Part 107 and the state of UAV technology, land surveying stand to benefit more than most industries. In this post we highlight some of the key provisions of Part 107 that will impact land surveyors.

Receiving Waivers Under New Commercial Drone Rules

Receiving Waivers Under New Commercial Drone Rules

Logan@aerotas.com

The FAA recently released its new drone regulations, known as Part 107. Included is a provision that allows the FAA to grant waivers from most of the new restrictions. This waiver process opens up the possibility of dozens of new applications by potentially allowing flying over people, flying long distances, and many other capabilities. Though the potential is significant, there remain too many uncertainties about the waiver process for businesses to rely on it in the near future.

New FAA Commercial Drone Rules Announced

New FAA Commercial Drone Rules Announced

This morning the FAA published the first official set of rules governing commercial drone use: Part 107. When these new rules go into effect in August, businesses and public agencies will be able to use drones in most industrial applications fairly easily. While operators will be required to follow a number of rules, the key requirements decision-makers need to understand are around pilot certification, where to fly, and flying over people.

Drone Day at the Capitol: What We Learned

Drone Day at the Capitol: What We Learned

Daniel@Aerotas.com

On June 14, Aerotas cofounders Daniel Katz and Logan Campbell participated in the Drone Information Day at the State Capitol. The goal of the day was to highlight to lawmakers the ways that drones are positively impacting California and their constituents, offering a counter-narrative to the negativity that tends to dominate headlines. The day presented a unique mix of private meetings and public interaction, via a public display and demo area on the lawn of the Capitol building. The meetings offered a unique view into how the drone industry is considering its relationship to regulation.

The FAA releases new commercial UAV rules next month. What should we expect?

The FAA releases new commercial UAV rules next month. What should we expect?

Daniel@Aerotas.com

While the FAA has missed a number of deadlines for rolling out rules governing commercial UAV use in the United States, it does appear to be on track to finally launch them next month. Multiple high-ranking members of the FAA have stuck to the launch date of “late Spring” for several months now, and June 20th is the last day of Spring. This begs the pressing question: what should we expect of these new rules, called Part 107

The 2016 FAA UAS Symposium: What Happened?

The 2016 FAA UAS Symposium: What Happened?

Logan@Aerotas.com

Regulation is a key topic to consider when planning any commercial drone operation. There is a lot of complicated, controversial, and often contradictory information about what is and is not legal for commercial drone use. The FAA is keenly aware of these challenges, leading them to hold a two-day symposium in Daytona Beach this week. Over the course of the event, there were dozens of often heated discussions about almost every aspect of UAV regulation imaginable. Read on for some of our key takeaways from the conference.