[ Blog ]

Field notes from flight ops

Regulation, hardware, and workflow - written by the people actually flying the missions and processing the data.

[ Latest ]

Licensed remote pilot operating a mapping drone on a job site
COMPLIANCE·May 17, 2026·5 min read

The Elite 0.14%: Why Finding a Licensed Drone Pilot Is Rare and Why You Can't Afford an Amateur

It feels like everyone owns a drone. But only about 0.14% of the U.S. population holds an FAA Part 107 certificate - roughly 1 in 712 people. Here's why that gap matters to your project, your budget, and your liability.

BY BRIAN LAYHEW

Read the post

[ More posts ]

You say your company has drone capabilities… but do you really?
DRONE BUSINESS INSIGHTS·Oct 15, 2025·7 min read

You say your company has drone capabilities… but do you really?

Most companies think their “drone team” is delivering value, but if all you’re getting are pretty pictures for social media, you’re missing out on the real benefits. True drone capability means accurate, engineering-grade data-usable for bidding, progress…

READ →
Welcome to Wingtra RAY: The Straight-Talk Guide for DJI Pilots
DRONE PILOT·Oct 8, 2025·6 min read

Welcome to Wingtra RAY: The Straight-Talk Guide for DJI Pilots

Switching from DJI to Wingtra RAY? This straight-talk guide covers real-world lessons, key differences, and practical insights from a veteran drone operator. Learn what actually changes-hardware, software, workflow-so you can master your new Wingtra RAY and…

READ →

Have a site that needs real data?

Tell us the scope and we'll scope the mission - fully insured, FAA Part 107 certified, nationwide.