What brand/style of drone are most inspectors using in the field?
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Hi Gerard, welcome. You may wish to use the search feature on this site because a ton of drone information has already been discussed.
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The MQ-9 Reaper equipped with Hellfire missiles.
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Thanks! I saw that movie too!
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I use the DJI Air 2s. I also use the DJI Smart Controller not my phone to avoid phone calls inturrupting the inspection. I record on both the drone sd card and the controller (as a backup, needed once when the Drone SD was full). I also use the Aloft/Air Control to verify air space and the LAANC feature to request clearance to fly when needed. I think the Air 2s is the first drone in the DJI models to include Remote ID that is now required. Be mindful if you are buying a used drone that you may need a module to support Remote ID. I also went through pilotinstitute.com to take the Part 107 test. Hope this helps.
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Thank you! This is great information.
I recommend a DJI drone. My first drone was a cheap $400 drone. It ended up taking off on its own one day on takeoff when my other inspector used it. I have since only purchased DJI drones and have had no issues with them.
Keep in mind, the DJI mini is very lightweight and can get affected by wind gusts, but in normal wind does just fine. A few months ago I was droning a roof with my newest drone on the first day of use. It was a 2 story house. It was getting cloudy and about to storm. When my drone got close to the brick chimney, a gust of wind blew it into the top of the chimney. I could see the blinking lights from one arm sticking from the top of the chimney. Being a 2 story house, my telescopic ladder wasn’t long enough, so I went out a second story window to prop my ladder on on a low pitched porch roof to access the house roof. Once on the house roof I realized the roof pitch was pretty steep so I couldn’t walk it. I inched my butt to the ridge and finally to the chimney to retrieve my new drone, praying to God the entire time. On my way back to the ladder it began to hail and rain. I am not a fan of heights and yes this was a really stupid decision I made and it could have ended in disaster. But I got both feet on the ground, vowing never to do that again. Even with the anti collision feature, be careful. They can still get caught in a tree. Keep your eyes on the drone at all times. Drones are an awesome tool for roof inspections. Be sure to get a good cover pic for your cover page with the drone, and don’t forget to get roofs for outbuildings when it’s up. When you buy one, get an extra battery or two.
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Thanks for the info!
I use a DJI Mini 4 pro. (an upgrade from the Mini 2, I also have). The 360 deg. collision avoidance of the Mini 4 is a big plus and saves a lot of time when maneuvering in close quarters. 90% of the roofs here are tile and I will not walk them, so the drone is the way to go. “Easier than falling of a roof!”
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@gbolster one thing that wasn’t mentioned or asked, your location. If there is restricted airspace in your area, a DJI may not be your best choice due to the geofencing issues they are prone to. It is true that there are ways to deal with it, but not always.
I use Autel drones and have zero issues with flying in or around restricted airspace. The cameras that are on them are pretty much the same as DJI too.
Regardless of what you go with, be sure the drone meets FAA compliance requirements.
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Thanks for the info. I’m northeast of Atlanta GA. I don’t know of any issues.
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Same one I use… got it at Costco last year for around $375 and am VERY happy with the quality for the money.
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Same here, Gwinnett County. If you travel over near Dobbins AFB you will have limitations. I’ve had no other restrictions. Atlanta airport will clear you easily.
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