What does it really take to scale a drone program across an entire country—and what lessons come from doing it the hard way?

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, we sit down with Seth Gulich to break down his experience managing a national drone program at a major geospatial firm. From hiring and training pilots to navigating real-world challenges in the field, Seth shares what actually matters when building a successful drone operation.

If you're looking to turn your interest in drones into a career—especially in mapping, surveying, or geospatial work—this conversation is packed with real insights you won’t hear in beginner guides.

We cover:

• How to get started in the geospatial drone industry (even without experience)
• What companies actually look for when hiring drone pilots
• The biggest mistakes pilots make—and how to avoid them
• Lessons learned from managing 20+ pilots and complex projects nationwide
• Why drones are just one piece of a much bigger workflow
• How AI and platforms like Mach9 are changing the future of drone data

Whether you're a beginner or already flying commercially, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in the drone industry today.

🔗 Connect with Seth on LinkedIn or learn more about Mach9

seth@mach9.io

mach9.io

https://wilkesbarre.psu.edu/academics/surveying

Drone delivery has been talked about for years—but where does the industry actually stand today?

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with aviation Paul Rossi of 910 Drones to break down the real story behind drone delivery in the United States—how it started, what slowed it down, and why things are finally starting to move forward.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Paul Rossi got involved in the drone delivery space
• The early days of drone delivery under Part 107 waivers
• Why COVID changed the conversation around last-mile logistics
• What UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) really means for drone operations
• The role of network-based Remote ID and LTE connectivity
• Why Mode C veil airspace matters for drone delivery expansion
• How drone traffic could eventually operate like cars on the road
• Where the industry may go next as regulations continue to evolve

Whether you're a drone pilot, aviation enthusiast, or just curious about the future of delivery, this episode offers a fascinating look at how drones are being integrated into real-world logistics.

Connect with Paul Rossi:
LinkedIn: Paul Rossi
Company: 910 Drones
paulrossi@910drones.com

https://www.910drones.com/

https://www.flytrex.com/

https://www.causeyaviationunmanned.com/

https://www.commercialuavnews.com/a-closer-look-at-the-dallas-fort-worth-utm-key-site

What does early 2026 mean for the American drone industry?

In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, we sit down with WISPR Systems to talk about their journey from a Mississippi startup to a nationally recognized U.S. drone manufacturer — and how recent regulatory changes are impacting the entire UAS landscape.

John McArthur shares how WISPR Systems evolved from building drones for professors at Mississippi State University to becoming a major player in the surveying and mapping space. You’ll hear how the company made a strategic decision to “plant their flag” in one vertical, master complex technologies like RTK, PPK, LiDAR, and photogrammetry, and build partnerships with key industry leaders.

We also break down:

• The December 2025 Federal Highway and FCC announcements
• What NDAA compliance actually means (and why it’s often misunderstood)
• The difference between American-made, NDA compliant, Green List, and Blue List drones
• How supply chain realities — especially batteries and payload components — are shaping U.S. manufacturing
• What this all means for contractors, DOT projects, and commercial operators
• Whether waivers may provide clarity for allied-country payloads like Sony cameras

If you’ve been confused about compliance language, worried about what you can legally fly, or wondering how U.S. drone manufacturing is evolving under new federal priorities — this conversation brings clarity.

You’ll also learn about WISPR Ranger Pro and the SkyScout series — including how they positioned their platform as a compact, open-payload alternative for professional surveying and mapping teams transitioning from DJI ecosystems.

For more information or to connect with the Whisper team, visit:
👉 https://wisprsystems.com/

https://wisprsystems.com/wispru/

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