Episodes

  • Why Drone Startups Fail to Build Simple Tools Surveyors Actually Use with Scott Harrigan

    Why Drone Startups Fail to Build Simple Tools Surveyors Actually Use with Scott Harrigan
    Oct 9 2025
    Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program.Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale.Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment—————————————In this episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Scott Harrigan, the owner of Harris Aerial, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conversation focuses on a key mistake the drone industry is making: building drones for "drone nerds" rather than for the end-users they are meant to serve. Scott, with his background as a mechanical engineer at a civil firm, explains that drones are just one of many tools in a workflow, like mapping or surveying. He argues that companies often fail by trying to build a single drone for multiple, disparate applications, such as for both firefighters and surveyors, when the needs for each are completely different. The industry needs to focus on creating simpler, more precise tools that fit into an existing workflow instead of forcing a workflow to change for the drone.🔑 Key Takeaways:The drone industry's main mistake is building drones for other "drone nerds" instead of making them user-friendly tools for specific professionals like surveyors.The conversation emphasizes that a drone should be viewed as a tool, or a "hammer," within a larger workflow, not the central component of a program.Companies that try to make one drone for many different use cases (e.g., both fire/police and surveying) are failing because the requirements for each are contradictory.The industry is still "chasing a lot of shiny things" rather than focusing on strategic, practical solutions.⌛ Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and the host, Jason San Souci, at the Commercial UAV Expo.[00:01:03] - Introduction of the guest, Scott Harrigan, owner of Harris Aerial.[00:02:12] - Scott answers the question about what the drone industry is getting wrong, stating that they build drones for "drone nerds".[00:02:45] - Scott explains that a drone is just one of many tools in a workflow.[00:03:27] - The conversation touches on how it's no longer enough to just say "we do X with drones" to attract investors; practical questions about cost and functionality are now more important.[00:04:15] - Jason reinforces Scott's point with a house-building analogy, where the drone is just a "hammer".Follow the Guest Scott Harrigan:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottharriganmapping/Follow the Host Jason San Souci:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: dykdrones@gmail.comFollow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones#drones #CommercialUAVExpo #ScottHarrigan #HarrisAerial #UAS #dronetechnology #businessstrategy #dronenerds #dronesasools
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    7 mins
  • The FAA Part 108 for Drone Founders to Fix Scaling Mistakes and Build Real Growth with Nate Ernst

    The FAA Part 108 for Drone Founders to Fix Scaling Mistakes and Build Real Growth with Nate Ernst
    Oct 8 2025
    Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program.Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale.Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment—————————————In this episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Nate Ernst, the founder and CEO of The Tachyon Group, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conversation addresses a critical issue the drone industry has faced for over 15 years: scaling based on a false narrative about regulatory progress. Ernst points out that companies built their brands on the incorrect assumption that regulations like Part 108 would arrive within six months, leading to consolidation and bankruptcies. With Part 108 finally here, the industry has a "second chance to get it right" by providing comments to the FAA to help shape the final rule and enable correct scaling.🔑 Key Takeaways:The interview is a live micro-episode recorded from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.The primary mistake the drone industry made was scaling based on the false narrative that beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) regulations would be approved in six months.This led to many companies building their brands and seeking large investments on a promise that didn't materialize, resulting in significant industry attrition and bankruptcies.With the proposed Part 108 rule for BVLOS now official, the industry has a second chance to "fix" past mistakes by providing comments to the FAA.The host and guest emphasize that everyone in the industry should provide personalized comments to the FAA to help shape the "Holy Grail of Part 108".⌛ Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and the host, Jason San Souci, at the Commercial UAV Expo.[00:01:12] - Introduction of the guest, Nate Ernst, founder and CEO of The Tachyon Group.[00:01:54] - Jason asks Nate the one question: what the drone industry is getting wrong.[00:02:12] - Nate explains the mistake of scaling on a false narrative about future regulations.[00:03:30] - Nate describes the consequences of this mistake, including bankruptcies and consolidation, and highlights the opportunity to get it right with Part 108.[00:05:36] - Nate calls this "the industry's second chance to get it right".[00:05:51] - Nate stresses the importance of commenting on Part 108.[00:06:40] - Jason advises listeners to personalize their comments and tell their own story.Follow the Guest Nate Ernst:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanernst/Follow the Host Jason San Souci:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: dykdrones@gmail.comFollow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones#drones #CommercialUAVExpo #NateErnst #TheTachyonGroup #UAS #Part108 #FAARegulations #droneindustry
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    7 mins
  • The FAA drone rules for scaling with one operator, many drones, and unity in comments, Liz Forro

    The FAA drone rules for scaling with one operator, many drones, and unity in comments, Liz Forro
    Sep 16 2025
    Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program.Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale.Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment-------------------------------In this episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Liz Forro, the policy director of the Commercial Drone Alliance, at the Kelly Hills Unmanned Ag Field Day in Seneca, Kansas. Forro shares that this is her first time at the event, which she finds impressive due to its collaborative model involving industry, academia, and various levels of government. The conversation focuses on the challenges and opportunities for the drone industry in the regulatory space, particularly concerning the FAA's recent policy proposals. Forro explains the need for a scalable framework, specifically for one operator managing multiple drones, and encourages the drone community to provide detailed, constructive feedback to the FAA. The discussion concludes with Forro's three-point formula for effective commenting on proposed rules: standing, impact, and solution.🔑 Key Takeaways:The Kelly Hills Unmanned Ag Field Day is an example of successful collaboration among industry, academia, and government.The FAA is seeking industry input on key policy gaps, such as enabling one operator to control multiple drones safely at scale.The recent policy proposal from the FAA is a significant step up from Part 107 waivers and will require the industry to "level up" its safety standards.Effective commenting on policy proposals requires demonstrating how the rule impacts you, providing data to support your claims, and offering specific solutions.Community action and consensus on solutions can help the FAA navigate the policymaking process more efficiently.⌛ Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Liz Forro discusses the importance of collaboration among different groups in the drone industry.[00:02:17] - Liz explains the regulatory challenges and opportunities, focusing on gaps in FAA policy.[00:04:37] - Jason San Souci and Liz Forro discuss the difficulty of creating universal standards for an industry that touches nearly every other industry.[00:10:25] - Liz Forro details her three-point formula for writing effective comments on FAA proposals: standing, impact, and solution.[00:13:12] - The conversation highlights the importance of the drone community standing together to provide consistent feedback to regulators.Follow the Guest Lizz Forro:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-forro-05422639/Follow the Host Jason San Souci:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: dykdrones@gmail.comFollow the Podcast:👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkEdTOmNXn0R7EN9sP3dKxw/#drones #Kansas #agtech #unmannedsystems #agrifieldday #dronetechnology #innovation #lizForro #JasonSanSouci #agriculture
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    16 mins
  • Why Most Drone Programs Fail for Enterprise Leaders to Build the Right Strategy with Nicole Corder

    Why Most Drone Programs Fail for Enterprise Leaders to Build the Right Strategy with Nicole Corder
    Oct 16 2025

    Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program.

    Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale.

    Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment

    —————————————

    In this micro-podcast episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci is joined by his partner in life and business, Nicole Corder, the founder and CEO of Drone Ops USA, live from the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. She warns against investing heavily in hardware and software that cannot be used due to a lack of proper strategy or policy. Programs should partner with experts for each link in the chain, with hardware being the final step.


    🔑 Key Takeaways:

    • Focus on "Drones for Good": The industry is doing a poor job of communicating with the general public about the positive uses of drones, which is an area of opportunity.

    • Support US Manufacturing: Regulations and policy need to be streamlined to support American manufacturers and remain favorable for small businesses, not just large entities.

    • Strategy Over Tools: When building an enterprise drone program, focus on strategy, policies, and outcomes first, and choose the drone/hardware last.

    • Avoid Program Failure: Starting a program by investing in hardware before establishing proper policy and strategy can lead to the expensive equipment sitting unused.


    ⌛ Timestamps:

    [00:00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and a mention of the free Enterprise Drone Program Maturity assessment

    [00:01:55] - Nicole discusses the need for better public communication about "drones for good".

    [00:03:20] - Jason asks about the "second chance" the industry is getting and what enterprise programs should focus on first.

    [00:04:35] - Nicole advises focusing on drones and tools last, prioritizing strategy, policy, and desired outcomes first.

    [00:05:32] - Nicole provides a brief overview of Drone Ops USA's focus on strategy and strategic partnerships.


    Follow the Guest Nicole Corder:

    👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolecorder/


    Follow the Host Jason San Souci:

    👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/


    🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:

    👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com

    👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/

    👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/#

    👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk

    👉 Email: dykdrones@gmail.com


    Follow the Podcast:

    👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112

    👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones


    #drones #UAS #CommercialUAVExpo #DroneOpsUSA #EnterpriseDrones #DroneStrategy #Policy #USManufacturing #BVLOS
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    6 mins
  • How the Drone Industry Fails by Pretending It’s One Market with Stan Khlevner

    How the Drone Industry Fails by Pretending It’s One Market with Stan Khlevner
    Oct 14 2025

    Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program.

    Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale.

    Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment

    —————————————

    In this micro-podcast episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Stan Khlevner, the co-founder and CEO of Remote Optics, live from the Commercial UAV Expo. The central question for Stan is: "What is something that the drone industry today is doing wrong?"


    🔑 Key Takeaways:

    • The Industry Isn't Cohesive: The biggest mistake the drone industry makes is presenting itself as a single, cohesive entity. Drones are merely tools whose applications and growth vary significantly across different industries and use cases.

    • Expertise is Segmented: The label "drone expert" is misleading because an individual who specializes in one area (like 3D modeling with LiDAR) may know nothing about other segments (like forestry management or public safety).

    • Early Stage of Growth: The industry is estimated to be at only about 5% of its overall capability and capacity. Part 107 regulations are less than ten years old.

    • Lack of Strategic Planning: Many enterprise drone programs fail because they focus on buying a drone or a specific component without a defined outcome or a strategic roadmap.


    ⌛ Timestamps:

    [00:00:00] - Introduction to uncrewed aerial systems (drones) as a disruptive technology and a brief mention of the Enterprise Drone Program Maturity assessment.

    [00:02:49] - Stan discusses the problem of public perception and the incorrect lumping together of diverse drone use cases, stressing that expertise is segmented.

    [00:06:03] - The conversation focuses on program failure due to a lack of roadmap and strategic focus, noting the failure of multi-million dollar VC-backed companies.

    [00:08:47] - Stan agrees with the "5% reality" as the industry stands on the precipice of a "blue ocean" of opportunities.


    Follow the Guest Stan Khlevner:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khlevner/


    Follow the Host Jason San Souci:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/


    🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:

    👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com

    👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/

    👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/#

    👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk

    👉 Email: dykdrones@gmail.com


    Follow the Podcast:

    👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112

    👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones


    #drones #UAS #CommercialUAVExpo #RemoteOptics #DroneStrategy #EnterpriseDrones #DroneExpertise #UAV #Technology
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    10 mins
  • EP 68: Part 107 Drone Deliveries

    EP 68: Part 107 Drone Deliveries
    Aug 4 2020
    Companies like Zing are democratizing drone deliveries
    Show More Show Less
    2 mins
  • Drone Delivery in Rural America for Policymakers to Support Healthcare and Ag Tech with Calvin Reed

    Drone Delivery in Rural America for Policymakers to Support Healthcare and Ag Tech with Calvin Reed
    Sep 16 2025
    Unlock millions in ROI from your enterprise drone program.Our FREE Enterprise Drone Program Maturity Assessment benchmarks your program against best practices and reveals the strategic initiatives needed to scale.Get your free assessment now! 👉 https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment------------------------------In this episode of the Do You Know Drones podcast, host Jason San Souci interviews Calvin Reed, the Kansas state secretary of transportation, at the Kelly Hills Unmanned Ag Field Day in Seneca, Kansas. Reed discusses how Kansas is fostering innovation in drone technology by supporting grassroots efforts rather than imposing state-led initiatives. He highlights the benefits of drones beyond agriculture, such as their potential to deliver medical supplies to rural hospitals in Kansas. The conversation explores how the state government's role is to help businesses thrive by removing hurdles and creating a safe environment for new technology to emerge.🔑 Key Takeaways:Drones are a disruptive technology that is reshaping industries globally.Kansas is seeing an increase in businesses, many of them in high-tech industries like aviation and agriculture.Innovation in drone technology in Kansas is being driven by businesses at the grassroots level, not by the state government.Drones can address issues in rural communities, such as the delivery of medical equipment to hospitals.Other states should foster an environment that helps businesses thrive and solve problems with new technology, rather than leading the innovation themselves.⌛ Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Introduction and overview of the Kelly Hills AG Field Day.[00:01:06] - Kansas as a great place for agriculture and drone technology.[00:02:40] - The grassroots-driven innovation in Kansas and the use of drones for medical deliveries.Follow the Guest Calvin Reed:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-reed-8143705b/Follow the Host Jason San Souci:👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:👉 Website: https://www.droneopsusa.com/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/# 👉 X(Twitter): https://x.com/DronesDyk 👉 Email: dykdrones@gmail.comFollow the Podcast:👉 Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkEdTOmNXn0R7EN9sP3dKxw/#drones #Kansas #agtech #unmannedsystems #agrifieldday #dronetechnology #innovation #CalvinReed #JasonSanSouci #agriculture #dykd
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    6 mins
  • EP 20 - Thank you for listening

    EP 20 - Thank you for listening
    Aug 18 2019
    1 min