So I’m still in education learning and just want to start getting a check list for tools to purchase soon. One thing I’ve never messed with is a drone. These prices are all over the place lol. So I figured why not ask the people I should be asking lol. So what drone is everyone using?
Justin,
I asked the same question not long ago. Here is the thread.
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Ok so take this with a hrain of salt (im studying drones right now) but from what i can tell if you go DJI you wont be disappointed.
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As long as you’re Ok with it not taking off or flying in many areas…
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Why is this? Again im new, didn’t act like i knew anything about it.
Never quite sure how this worked. With my EXO drone you can’t start up until you’re connected to 6 or more satellites. Never a problem just takes some time to connect. I wonder if DJI somehow signals your drone based on gps coordinates. That also makes me wonder if DJI can receive all the information from its drones including pictures? Make it kinda a spy drone for China?
I didn’t buy one simply for that reason (control of flight location).
Back to the OP. One of the questions you need to ask before buying is the camera. They all fly well and fairly easily but you want to have a good camera with image stabilization and zoom. Typical procedure is to take a video of the roof and extract frames after the fact.
Footnote: EXO sells a rebranded Hubsan drone. They are a US company but their customer service stinks. They few times I’ve tried to contact them they tried to sell me another drone. Original manual wasn’t even available online, I had to download a Hubsan manual. (fixed now EXO has their name plastered over a Hubsan manual).
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Regardless of which drone you decide to get, before you start flying it for inspection purposes, be sure you first get your Part 107 UAS certificate.
I’m still flying the first drone I ever bought, a Yuneec Typhoon H, it still works great, but it’s getting old, and if I do decide to get another one, it’ll be either a DJI or Yuneec, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
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It’s the geofencing software/firmware, it won’t take off in restricted areas (including some areas that aren’t anywhere near an airport).
Look it up online, plenty of posts about the limitations.
This is true. Luckily for me, the only issues I have encountered were near military bases. I fly all around the Atlanta Airport with no problems, though authorization is required.
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This is going to be location dependent of course. For me, I’ve never been kept from taking off. A few times I have had to click to accept a disclaimer of some sorts. Something about understanding I am in a restricted area or something and take full responsibility for my flight, yada, yada.
A good place to get your education for passing the FAA Part 107 licensing exam: the King Schools (kingschools.com). They have been teaching private and commercial airplane pilots for decades, and now drone pilots. They speak plain English and will help you succeed with their online course for drone pilots.
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This is a federal requirement if you plan on using a drone for your business. The exam is no walk in the park either, so be aware.
Keep in mind, you get what you pay for. As a new pilot be sure to find one with good obstacle avoidance. Another point is what @rkenney mentioned, a crappy camera will result in crappy pictures. The better the camera, the better the picture quality which comes at a higher price… You might want to look into a quality photo editing software to aid in tweeking pics that don’t turn out too good, at least until you learn how to take good pics on the fly.
As far as brand, that’s up to you. I have flown several, and they all handled about the same for the most part.
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I have a DJI and have no problems with getting authorization to fly. The only time I had to wait over five minutes was when a former president was flying into the local airport. Shaking hands and kissing babies takes precedence over a roof inspection.
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Tyler,
If I was a new inspector, a drone would not be top on my list. Drones have a place in HI’s but they not a substitute for getting on the roof. There are many types of ladders/accessories that reduce the risk when climbing a roof. IMO, hands on is the best way to inspect a roof.
I have the DJI Mavic Pro, and the Part 107 UAS certificate, I use it on occasion and mostly on high chimneys.
Learn to walk the roofs and if you are unsteady, get the roof ladder below. Now that I’m old and unsteady, I use them most of the time,
Good Luck!
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Also InterNACHI has a great course as well!
Definitely, will Mostly be used for steeper roofs and chimneys im unable to reach. I agree theres no comparison to walking the roof. Thanks for your feedback
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