Do you think you can design a drone?

Airbus Group and Local Motors have teamed up to issue a design challenge to the public: help create a drone that will delivery urgent medical and emergency supplies to remote, hard-to-reach areas. Win the challenge and the winners will receive $50,000 and a trip to the Farnborough Airshow in England.

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Alex Palmer and Matt Jackson of Local Motors talk about the Airbus Cargo Drone Challenge, how you can enter and compete for the $50,000 prize and the innovative co-creating process used to accelerate product design. If you’re an engineer, designer or someone that loves the creative process, then you’ll going to like this story.

I attended the April 11-14 Drone Dealer Expo, a 3-day event for drone dealers, held in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together drone manufactures, distributors, dealers and resellers to learn about new products and selling opportunities.  In this podcast, I provide a summary of the first day’s activities, which focused on what dealer’s should know about the marketplace, a regulatory update and some marketing opportunities.

Do you want to be a Commercial Drone Videographer?

Then you’re going to want to listen close to what today’s guest on the Drone Radio Showhas to say

John Deans has spent more than three decades in the IT industry and has alst been a private pilot. In 1999 he founded a rural computer consulting business. In 2014, he decided to merge his technology skills with his love for flying and launched his new business, Central Texas Drones. Now, after achieving success as a videographer, John has written a book, called “Become a U.S. Commercial Drone Pilot." On this episode of the Drone Radio Show, John talks about his book, how he developed a successful aerial videography business and how drones can make us money too.

On May 2, more than 8,000 drone industry leaders will converge in New Orleans for Xponential 2016, the #1 show for the unmanned systems market.  The show will feature more than 180 speakers, 335 educational sessions and 25 focused tracks to ensure you’ll find cutting-edge education on the topics you consider the highest priority.  In this edition of the Drone Radio Show, rian Wynne, President and CEO of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International talks about Xponential 2016 and why we should be at this year’s show.

How much do you really know about the drone industry?

For many of us who have only been in the industry for a few years, that answer is all too often … not a whole lot.  Fortunately, there are individuals that have been working with unmanned systems for years. The historical perspectives and knowledge that these individuals have is extremely valuable, particularly to anyone thinking about creating a drone based business.

Today's guest on the Drone Radio Show is Patrick Egan, the editor of the Americas Desk at sUAS News and host and Executive Producer of sUAS News Podcast Series, Drone TV and the Small Unmanned Systems Business Expo.  His field experience includes assignments with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Battle Lab investigating solutions on future warfare research projects. He was Instructor for LTA (Lighter Than Air) ISR systems deployment teams for a OSD, U.S. Special Operations Command, Special Surveillance Project.  He has built and operated commercial RPA prior to 2007 FAA policy clarification. On the airspace integration side, he serves as director of special programs for the RCAPA (Remote Control Aerial Photography Association) and has collaborated with a variety of industry groups and the FAA on a variety of airspace integration issues.  In this podcast, Patrick takes us on a deeper dive of the drone regulatory issues, exploring some of the issues that don’t always make on the web or in the news stories.