Over 10,000 LayerDrone pilots answer your most common questions about professional drone work. From equipment recommendations to future predictions, this episode compiles real-world insights from pilots actually capturing aerial data.

Topics covered: recommended drone models and accessories, what makes quality missions, tips for new pilots, challenging flights, comparison of drone work opportunities, favorite flying locations, memorable "wow" moments, how to explain drone work to non-pilots, and where the industry is headed in the next five years.

• (00:00) - 10,000 drone pilots answer your top drone questions
• (01:15) - What drones do you use?
• (04:09) - Why pilots on the Spexi app are all silly-gooses and obstinate-donkeys
• (05:22) - What's your favourite drone accessory?
• (07:11) -  What makes a good drone mission?
• (09:06) - How does other drone work compare to using the Spexi app?
• (10:42) - What was your most challenging drone flight?
• (13:58) - What's your best tip for flying a drone?
• (18:25) - Where do pilots most like flying their drones?
• (19:54) - When did a drone make you go "wow"?
• (21:27) - How do you describe your drone work to others?
• (22:20) - How will drones change in 5 years?

Special thanks to: Dynamic Dolphin (Bluegrass Dronography), RyVD, Chad S&S 360, Independent-Galliform, and Tuned.

Opening theme: Lately - Kicktracks
Hosted by Bryce Bladon | Edited by AJ Fillari

Sponsored by: Spexi.com | LayerDrone.org

Alec Wilson, COO at Spexi Geospatial, encountered his first drone while flying a helicopter in Vancouver, BC. He then helped establish drone regulations before meeting the founder of Spexi, who was flying the planes Google Maps and Google Earth use to image the world. On today’s episode, Alec joins Bryce to explain how consumer drones have evolved to create an entirely new kind of infrastructure – one that outperforms helicopters, planes, and satellites at scale.

• (00:00) - How Consumer Drones Became Modern Infrastructure | Alec Wilson
• (00:56) - How did consumer drones enable the world's first autonomous aerial data network?
• (02:05) - How Alec was introduced to drones
• (02:55) - When regulations and drone technology converged
• (03:35) - How Alec (COO) met Bill (CEO) imaging for Google Maps and Earth
• (04:45) - The trick to drones as infrastructure? Keep it under 250 grams.
• (08:45) - How Spexi created a standard through autonomous flight
• (10:01) - How Spexi's autopilot enables drone infrastructure at city to continental scale
• (10:47) - Why use drones instead of planes or satellites?
• (13:17) - How are drones evolving and what does it mean for the people piloting them?
• (16:08) - What you need to fly with Spexi on the LayerDrone network
• (18:07) - Thanks to our sponsors

Benji Nevatt has been flying drones professionally since 2017, starting as a police department drone operator and now running Bluegrass Dronography in Western Kentucky. This episode explores the diverse work available to commercial drone pilots and how the industry has evolved over the past decade.

• (00:00) - The different kinds of work for drone pilots | Benji Nevatt of Bluegrass Dronography
• (00:21) - Introduction to Benji of Bluegrass Dronography
• (03:35) - Why Benji is interested in drone work
• (05:18) - Benji's first missions on the Spexi app
• (07:23) - How Spexi differs from typical drone work for clients
• (08:39) - Why Spexi flies small drones so high in the sky
• (10:20) - What Benji thinks about getting paid in tokens instead of cash
• (12:51) - How has US drone policy and regulation affected Benji's business in 2025?
• (14:56) - Drone or don't: which is the lie?
• (16:28) - An unsolicited history of drones

Connect with Benji at BluegrassDronography.com
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @BluegrassDronography

Hosted by Bryce Bladon (brycebladon.com). Edited by AJ Fillari (ajfillari.online)

Sponsored by Spexi.com and LayerDrone.org