Courses Archive - Drone U™

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Cell Tower Inspection

Cell Tower Inspection is a lucrative but complicated field. Learn about photogrammetry basics, hardware and software requirements, industry legalities, data processing and much more from the best in the industry. This class is loaded with Tips and Tricks guaranteed to give you the competitive advantage.
Comprehensive Mapping (2022 Update)

In this aptly titled "comprehensive" course, we deep dive into all things drone mapping from acquisition, to processing, to delivery. Whether you want to use mapping for construction, tower inspection, volumetric work, or Hollywood productions, we will show you from personal experience, testing, trial, error, and success how to map complex objects, structures, and large areas. You’ll also learn how to process the vast amount of data collected so you can process and deliver amazing, lifelike models. This is THE drone mapping course you’ve been looking for.
Paul's Sales Boot Camp

"What is the one question we get more than any other here at Drone U....well, other than maybe "what drone should I buy?". It's "how do I get more business?". It's a great question, the answer to which can either be really hard or super simple. Join Paul in this nine session class he held a few months ago in which he shares his secrets for making it simple."
Scaling Your Drone Business

In this comprehensive 4 hours, 21-video course, our instructor Kara Cavalca walks you through how you can automate and set up systems for running and scaling your business. You'll learn all the tools and systems to help you scale your business, from client management to managing your drone business on the go to earning more as you scale your business. Learn more about these amazing and tested techniques to help you scale your business!
How to Film a Wedding

In this comprehensive 25-video course, Kara Cavalca teaches you all you need to know about filming a wedding. You'll learn all there is to know about becoming a successful videographer and photographer as Kara teaches you wedding contracting, managing client expectations, pricing, gear and more. Learn more about this amazing business opportunity!
Rapid Orthomosaic Construction with React

In this short course, learn how to build orthomosaics. We cover topics such as workflow, the benefits of using Pix4D react, how to process and what are the various uses of orthomosaics.
Roof Inspection with Drones

In this comprehensive 10-video course, Tom Powers walks you through how you can perform roof inspections using drones. You'll learn all the specifics you need to learn about performing a roof inspection with a drone, from understanding the specifics of roofing systems to gaining the knowledge of adding value in your deliverables. Learn more about this amazing business opportunity!
Safe Drone Operations

If the fear of losing your expensive drone is preventing you from pushing your boundaries and getting your dream shots, going through this course will really help you out. In this 7-video series, you will learn all there is to know to ensure a safe drone flight. From a pre-flight checklist to takeoff & landing techniques to post-flight inspection, we cover a lot in this course. Enjoy!
Search & Rescue with Drones

Using drones for search and rescue is a huge responsibility where you have zero room for error. In this 2-video course, instructors Paul and PJ share best practices for image acquisition and processing. Apart from the optimum workflow for doing a thorough search and rescue, we also recommend suitable acquisition and processing tools/software in this comprehensive course. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in now for some great nuggets!
3D Interactive Modeling

There are some unique business opportunities that have presented themselves in front of drone pilots with the onset of COVID. One of them is 3D Interactive Modeling. In this 7-video course, Paul shows you how to model the exteriors and interiors of a building using drone mapping. This course will particularly help those who are looking to boost your business revenue inspite of the current challenges. Tune in now!
Solar Inspection With Drones

In this comprehensive 3-video course, Nikhil from Raptor Maps explains how you can do solar inspection using drones. Renewable energy is here to stay. And by providing solar inspections, drone pilots can also be a part of this exploding industry. From site preparation to data acquisition to reporting, you will learn the entire A to Z workflow for solar drone inspections. Tune in now to learn more about this amazing business opportunity!
Comprehensive Aerial Photography

Anybody can put up a drone up in the air and take images. Doing it the right way is what matters. We are thankful to one of the industry's top drone photographers, Vic as he reveals the best and most efficient photography workflow guaranteed to IMPROVE your final deliverable and MULTIPLY your revenues. Topics discussed in this course include night photography, editing tips & tricks, organization & workflow, client deliverables and much, much more. Watch now for some excellent insights!
Advanced Mapping Resources

If you are a serious Drone Mapper looking for some advanced training on providing stand out deliverables to clients then this is your playground. This course will cover everything from fixing floating ground control points, cleaning up point clouds, delivering sketchfab models and .shp files & much more.
How to Launch & Grow a Drone Business

Overwhelmed with commercial considerations, drone pilots often end up making poor decisions. In this business course, Drone U instructors and long time business partners, Rob and Tim show you how can you avoid just that. This exhaustive course is designed to SIMPLIFY the process of setting up and running your drone business. From getting started to introducing efficient systems and process, we dive into all possible nuances of a small business. Don't suffer from costly mistakes that drone pilots often make. Watch now!
Filters for Video & Photography

In our latest Drone U Hack video, Vic shares some Tips and Tricks for using filters the right way. When it comes to filters, there are a multitude of options to choose from. And, in order to get the best possible drone footage, it is imperative that you choose the right filter - and the correct camera settings. In this one course video, Vic shows you how to do just that. Tune in and help us HELP YOU grow your business.
Understanding the Exposure Triangle

Shutter Speed, ISO and Aperture are the three pillars of photography. In this one video course, Vic explains their inter-dependency. Learn how you can AVOID messing up your camera settings. Whether you are into ground photography or aerial photography, Vic has some Tips and Tricks which are guaranteed to give you the competitive advantage.
Common FAA & UAS Terms Defined & Explained

Confused with industry jargon? Vic Moss is here to help you out. In this one video course, Vic defines and explains commonly used FAA and UAS terms. Whether you are an established player or new to the drone world, you are sure to learn a lot in a short time by watching this.
Night Photography Using a Drone

Wondering how you can get those AWESOME night shots with your drone? In this one video class, we have our resident "fly by night" pro, Vic Moss, showing you the nuances of night photography. Camera settings, weather requirements and editing tricks taught by Vic will be of great help to you. Instead of being daunted by the prospect of shooting at night, we urge you to watch this and learn from the very best in the industry.
Subject Tracking Fast Moving Objects

Subject tracking is definitely one of the COOLEST things you can do with your drone. Shot in beautiful Lake Pleasant, AZ, this course shows you how you can capture smooth cinematic movement while on the move. We share some TIPS and TRICKS which will help you master this skill. Don’t let the difficulty level discourage you. Watch and learn from Paul as he deep dives into subject tracking.
Shooting & Mapping Construction Sites

The construction industry is the largest employer of drone services. From pre-construction to project closeout, drone uses can help save time and cost across the entire construction life cycle. In this exhaustive course, we discuss some BEST practices which can help YOU fly a construction mission safely and accurately. What is the #1 focus on a construction site? You will also learn about hardware and software requirements, GCP's and client deliverables. Watch this to get started in the construction industry.
FAA UAS Symposium

Wondering what transpired at the 2018 FAA UAS Symposium? In this two video class, you will learn how REMOTE ID can potentially expand drone operations. Other topics discussed include UTM, BVLOS waivers and Complex waivers. This class will give you a "peek" into the latest developments which are shaping the future of the drone industry.
Editing Drone Video With Final Cut Pro

In this class we go over the nitty gritty of editing using Final Cut Pro. Editing is often the FACTOR that can uplift your footage from ordinary to extraordinary. Camera settings, hardware requirements, retiming, color correction and much more taught by the best in the industry will be of great help to you. Watch this and learn to create that killer client deliverable.
Light Painting

This may be one of the more fun and cool things to do with a drone. With Light Painting, you are taking lights and moving them around in a scene during a long exposure to bring out texture and dimension in a subject. Watch as we go through every step you need to shoot and edit light painting photos by having you join us on a project.
Photography Hacks

We are thankful to have one of the top drone photographers around. He sits down in this series of videos to go through his personal "hacks" as it relates to several key areas of drone photography. Whether it be aerial, editing, lighting, or Histograms, you're sure to learn a lot from a pilot like Vic.
Practice Drills & Exercises

We are often asked about some of the things Paul has done to help him improve his flying skills, especially when he was first getting started. This is a set of videos we've put together to help you improve your flying by doing a set routine of drills and exercises. Whether you're just getting started or have a lot of experience, we hope these help you fly better and with more confidence!
Flying Over Water

Flying your drone over water can generate some really awesome, unique shots for you. But it also comes with some challenges and a rather unforgiving landing zone. We'll go through exactly what we do when we fly over water so you can learn from our (costly) mistakes.
Intro to Drone Thermography

If you're ready to take your aerial platform to the next level then it's time to add thermal cameras to your drone portfolio. Jon McBride from Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems will lead you through this course and help you open a whole new world of applications for your drone.
FPV Racing

If you want to get into FPV racing then you've come to the right place. We're so excited to have this course for you because a World Champion FPV racer is teaching it. Learn from the best (literally) as Shaun Taylor, aka 'Nytfury' teaches you how to get started in drone racing.
Lightroom Automation

This practical training will show you the power behind this Adobe program so you can organize, edit and share your photos with relative ease. Lightroom is essential to any serious drone photographer.
Don’t Crash Course

If you’re brand new to drones then this is the course for you. Like we say, ‘Trial & error isn’t a strategy…it’s insanity.’ Don’t suffer from costly mistakes made because you don’t know what you don’t know, until it’s too late.
Advanced Aerial Videography

We say all the time, your ability to get smooth, difficult shots with your drone is what will separate great pilots from average ones. Learn how to get those shots in this class as Paul shows you exactly what he does & how he does it.
Still Photography

Vic Moss is one of the top drone photographers out there, and is gracious enough to train for us. Learn from the best how to capture the best photos using your drone.
Build a Drone

Ever wanted to build your own drone? It’s not for the faint of heart. But in this overview class, we sit down with Peter Dis as he goes through how to build your own drone.
Photo Editing

Getting good photos is only half the battle in creating amazing pictures. You can make an average photo look amazing IF you know how to edit like a pro. So we asked the pro, Vic Moss, to show you all he knows.
Final Cut Pro X Basics

Paul gives you a run down of tricks he uses in FCPX to help with his video editing. This training may be fairly quick, but you’ll learn a lot in a short amount of time.
Real Estate Videography

Probably the most common entry in starting a drone business is shooting homes for Realtors. In this short series, Paul walks you through exactly what he does when videoing a residential home.
First Time Flying

If you are brand new to drones, this is a section to watch right away. It’s sort of the “crash course” of the “Don’t Crash Course.” Watch this and you’ll know the important basics of flying a drone for the first time.
Beginner Practice & Tips

Here are some great tips & tricks for the drone newbie. One of the biggest issues with drones is folks flying without knowing anything. Don’t make the same mistake, learn the very basics first.

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