Drone of preference

[Tgleason]

Finishing up my business plan and cant seem to decide which drone. I will be financing using a new amex acct with 0%apr for first year. I will have personal cash set aside to pay off if all else fails. Goal is to use profits from contracts to pay it off.

Looking at starting with drone up and dronebase to get initial contracts while marketing aggressively to different market segments.

Looking at

yunnec 4k
Parrot anafi
Dji mavic 2

Budget around 2000 dollars. But could do a bit more. Want extra batteries and the like

Each has such different interesting abilities. What did yall start with?

Located in MD .

 

[R.Perry]

First of all I wish you the best of luck. However to me your budget for a drone is a bit short if you want to compete for the big money.
I have done real estate for a while, not worth it, realtors are the cheapest people in the world.
My experience has been the job brokers don't pay enough for you to make any money, so that leaves you with finding your own work.
What is your target market? How much do you think you need to make per hour to make a decent profit? Do you have any leads or contacts that may supply you with work?

I do construction documentation now and the money is very good. However I flying the Inspire 2, have eight pairs of batteries. That drone will set you back thirteen grand by the time you get all the goodies. I have a mavic and it is OK for what it is, but it can't compete with professional drones.

I work Multivista and they supply everything even though I'm a contractor for them. They even supply a full sensor Nikon camera and lens, however I prefer to use my own camera.
If you work for them they will send you to an outstanding school called Avion in Huntsville, AL, when you graduate from that school you will either be a very good drone pilot or you won't graduate. Also you will have a certificate that says you have attended a school that has not only taught you the 107, but made sure you can fly well.

I assume you have your 107 license, the next thing is how much honest flight time do you have with a drone? The job site where I work wanted to know because their previous drone pilot crashed his drone, didn't make a good impression. So document all your flight time and keep it honest.

These are just my opinions and they are worth about 2 cents, if that much.

 

[Tgleason]

First of all I wish you the best of luck. However to me your budget for a drone is a bit short if you want to compete for the big money.
I have done real estate for a while, not worth it, realtors are the cheapest people in the world.
My experience has been the job brokers don't pay enough for you to make any money, so that leaves you with finding your own work.
What is your target market? How much do you think you need to make per hour to make a decent profit? Do you have any leads or contacts that may supply you with work?

I do construction documentation now and the money is very good. However I flying the Inspire 2, have eight pairs of batteries. That drone will set you back thirteen grand by the time you get all the goodies. I have a mavic and it is OK for what it is, but it can't compete with professional drones.

I work Multivista and they supply everything even though I'm a contractor for them. They even supply a full sensor Nikon camera and lens, however I prefer to use my own camera.
If you work for them they will send you to an outstanding school called Avion in Huntsville, AL, when you graduate from that school you will either be a very good drone pilot or you won't graduate. Also you will have a certificate that says you have attended a school that has not only taught you the 107, but made sure you can fly well.

I assume you have your 107 license, the next thing is how much honest flight time do you have with a drone? The job site where I work wanted to know because their previous drone pilot crashed his drone, didn't make a good impression. So document all your flight time and keep it honest.

These are just my opinions and they are worth about 2 cents, if that much.

Flying experience. Honestly not much. I have 2 leads one construction and one in crane operation.

I got the part 107 in December and have a small drone. Money is tight at the moment. Got a second baby on the way and dont make nearly enough in what im doing so i need a side gig that i hope to grow into a full fledged business

My career field is in electrical utility design so long term i would like to get into pole line inspection and towers.

Short term i want to get experience while keeping costs low

 

[AH-1G]

Drones as you might know are being used extensively inspecting cell towers, also look at drones for infrared inspections, especially on the commercial side.
If you're on a tight budget, it may hamper where and what type of business you can drum up.
But never, never give up!

 

[jack.s]

Good luck in your adventure!
When first started doing photography 40 years ago the hardest thing to buy was my backup camera body and lenses. Had to be prepared to finish the job no matter what. Until I had everything I didn't do any " commercial" jobs.
Maybe try to shoot some "spec" material, then try to sell it after. Gets you experience and possibly some coin.
Example might be beauty shots of local features... parks, then present to local government promotion department. Because your not on a job schedule while shooting you won't need backup systems.
Just a line of thought.

 

[R Martin]

I started with a DJI Inspire 1v2 and a budget of $10K. Going into my fourth year I have approximately $100K in the program and just recently added a Birdseye Aerobotics Firefly 6 Pro with an RX1R II Sony camera. We do construction site monitoring and general mapping with occasional PR flights. Your budget might cover the aircraft and possibly some extra batteries, but you have not accounted for all the peripherals you are going to need to get the aircraft in the air and keep it there. Will you be needing software to process imagery gathered? Do you have a multi-charger that can handle multiple batteries at once? A power source for it? Depending upon your local conditions, a tent, table and chairs? Will you need a reliable GPS unit to set control? Then of course the RTK stream to read the numbers real-time...

Sounds like you need to return to the drawing board and create a business plan before you start spending cash willy-nilly. You business is more likely to survive that way....

 

[BigAl07]

Finishing up my business plan and cant seem to decide which drone. I will be financing using a new amex acct with 0%apr for first year. I will have personal cash set aside to pay off if all else fails. Goal is to use profits from contracts to pay it off.

Looking at starting with drone up and dronebase to get initial contracts while marketing aggressively to different market segments.

Looking at

yunnec 4k
Parrot anafi
Dji mavic 2

Budget around 2000 dollars. But could do a bit more. Want extra batteries and the like

Each has such different interesting abilities. What did yall start with?

Located in MD .

What exactly are you planning to DO with your aircraft?

I started with a Yuneec (Blade) Camera Drone many years ago. Even then my "start up budget" was considerably higher than what you have noted here. We help Emergency Services set up new sUAS programs and our rule of thumb (if you exclude Thermal/IR sensors) is to take the price of the desired aircraft system (Bare bones with 1 battery) and at least DOUBLE it. By the time we buy cases, batteries, chargers, spare props, prop guards, lens, landing pads and the list goes ON..... we usually get close to doubling that price. You "can" buy as you go but often times many of those items are needed sooner than later.

Also if you do plan to "Go Big" and become an industry professional you'll want to think about back up equipment. Many professional photographers show up on every job with multiple cameras just in case. It SUCKS telling a client, "I'm sorry I can't complete your project today.... my XYZ requires a widget replacement/update/rest etc".

1 is none and 2 is 1...

 

[Tgleason]

What exactly are you planning to DO with your aircraft?

I started with a Yuneec (Blade) Camera Drone many years ago. Even then my "start up budget" was considerably higher than what you have noted here. We help Emergency Services set up new sUAS programs and our rule of thumb (if you exclude Thermal/IR sensors) is to take the price of the desired aircraft system (Bare bones with 1 battery) and at least DOUBLE it. By the time we buy cases, batteries, chargers, spare props, prop guards, lens, landing pads and the list goes ON..... we usually get close to doubling that price. You "can" buy as you go but often times many of those items are needed sooner than later.

Also if you do plan to "Go Big" and become an industry professional you'll want to think about back up equipment. Many professional photographers show up on every job with multiple cameras just in case. It SUCKS telling a client, "I'm sorry I can't complete your project today.... my XYZ requires a widget replacement/update/rest etc".

1 is none and 2 is 1...

I would like to "go big" as i gain experience and funds.

I plan to start out getting experience using droneup and drone base. Building a portfolio and moving into construction and utilities After gaining experience.

The entire time i plan to operate with full safety checks, ppe. Marketing materials on hand to slowly grow. Looking official with logo on vehicle . ID badge traffic cones. Light on vehicle when parked on side of road. Even when im flying small missions.

I have one close associate who owns a crane business who said he wants me to do inspections for him and to fly while they are moving certain equipment. doing this with him will enable me to grow my business through meeting construction site managers and owners.

Second i plan to get into utility inspection later once i am making enough to leave my job. I currently work in utility design and survey so i do not want to do side work that my company could see as a conflict of interest.

The 2000 dollars is my drone budget currently but everone on here is right.i need batteries and mobile charging.

I know marketing materials. Insurance. Ect will be more as well.

I may be dreaming to big though but i know i can do this and grow this business.

I have owned businesses in the pass (retail not service) and have 4 years of business management as well as sales experience.

 

[BigAl07]

Here's what I suggest....

While marketing/branding are important YES... getting everything branded right away is not the most prudent use of your limited funds. I highly suggest getting the basics in terms of "branding" etc and as funds come in you can then budget those as well. I can't tell you how many "Drone Businesses" started out with all the bling and WOW factor who are no longer in business. A solid business card is a great start.

We've been "doing this" for a good while now and other than flyers and business cards we didn't really go all in for branded products etc for a long time. We have "branded" the work vehicle and added "auxiliary lights" but that's after the company was doing well and the funds were available. That was just this year... we added auxiliary caution lighting, window decals, and in-car dedicated charging systems.

I'm just saying don't over extend yourself until the company proves it self to be profitable.

Also have you written a comprehensive and detailed Business Plan? When we did this it totally changed how business structure and thank goodness we hadn't started the business yet or it would have been more trouble to change. A good business plan is worth it's weight in GOLD! You'll learn your business from an accounting point, a marketing perspective, about your competition, and your pricing structure all from one project. That's HUGE!

Good luck

 

[Tgleason]

Here's what I suggest....

While marketing/branding are important YES... getting everything branded right away is not the most prudent use of your limited funds. I highly suggest getting the basics in terms of "branding" etc and as funds come in you can then budget those as well. I can't tell you how many "Drone Businesses" started out with all the bling and WOW factor who are no longer in business. A solid business card is a great start.

We've been "doing this" for a good while now and other than flyers and business cards we didn't really go all in for branded products etc for a long time. We have "branded" the work vehicle and added "auxiliary lights" but that's after the company was doing well and the funds were available. That was just this year... we added auxiliary caution lighting, window decals, and in-car dedicated charging systems.

I'm just saying don't over extend yourself until the company proves it self to be profitable.

Also have you written a comprehensive and detailed Business Plan? When we did this it totally changed how business structure and thank goodness we hadn't started the business yet or it would have been more trouble to change. A good business plan is worth it's weight in GOLD! You'll learn your business from an accounting point, a marketing perspective, about your competition, and your pricing structure all from one project. That's HUGE!

Good luck

Thanks for these great points.

I would say im 60% done my business plan i thought i was closer to being done but i need to revisit it.

I am planning to offically be open for business some time in september.

I do need to look more into local competition and pricing structure. I am pretty weak in that area on my exisiting plan.

 

[AH-1G]

What area of the country are you at?

 

[Tgleason]

What area of the country are you at?

Maryland. Baltimore

 

[PatR]

Tough neighborhood. Right in the middle of the Special Flight Rules Area. ALL flying at any altitude requires ATC permission, mode C transponders, and continuous two way radio communications.

 

[R.P..R]

Make your business plan realistic to your present situation. I started with a big budget and it did not go well for me and my drone. So, I bought a drone that’s within my budget and experience. In due time as I seasoned and matured, I was able to acquire more tools for my trade.

 

[Tgleason]

Make your business plan realistic to your present situation. I started with a big budget and it did not go well for me and my drone. So, I bought a drone that’s within my budget and experience. In due time as I seasoned and matured, I was able to acquire more tools for my trade.

I like the sound of that. It seems very logical

 

[Tgleason]

Tough neighborhood. Right in the middle of the Special Flight Rules Area. ALL flying at any altitude requires ATC permission, mode C transponders, and continuous two way radio communications.

Some areas yes but there is actually alot of area around here where you do not need permission. But yes i will have to look more into that. Originally i figured i would just avoid those areas but thats not the best plan

 

[BigAl07]

Some areas yes but there is actually alot of area around here where you do not need permission. But yes i will have to look more into that. Originally i figured i would just avoid those areas but thats not the best plan

Once you get some "Stick Time" and picture/video experience under your belt you might want to pretty much reverse that mindset. If it's a tough area to get approval in then you want to be the Go To Guy who knows how and can easily get approvals in that area. That low hanging fruit goes rotten pretty quickly. If you can set yourself above the competition then you have a significant advantage over your market.

 

[R Martin]

Some areas yes but there is actually alot of area around here where you do not need permission. But yes i will have to look more into that. Originally i figured i would just avoid those areas but thats not the best plan

You sound like you have a pretty good grasp. For the controlled areas you might look into a wide area COA through the FAA. Those generally run for a year at a time so you do not have to constantly file new paperwork for each flight.

 

[AH-1G]

Baltimore Maryland
many places to fly without using LAANC

 

[AH-1G]

Restricted area in Baltimore, that tiny red dot above.