Drones / RC

From Editor to Pro Drone Pilot To YouTuber: Interview with Trent Palmer of the CopterKids

From a video editor, to a pro drone pilot, to becoming a top notch YouTuber, Trent Palmer from the Copter Kids is the perfect example of following your passions to living the life you want to live each and every day. I had the opportunity to chat with Trent and ask him about his journey, what motivates him, share some battle stories, and some advice he would give to anyone looking to turn their passion into their job. This is a really great discussion for anyone who is looking to step outside of their comfort zone and to go get after it.

Check out Trent and his channels below!

https://www.youtube.com/user/boredentertainment88
https://www.instagram.com/trentonpalmer
https://www.youtube.com/user/CopterKids

Please be sure to check out my social channels for more info regarding drones, emerging tech, and unmanned aviation.

https://www.facebook.com/WattsInnovations

https://www.instagram.com/wattsinnovations

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-watts/

https://www.youtube.com/user/BobbyWattsHeli

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Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here:

Soldering Iron Showdown: $10 vs $1,000 Soldering Iron! Which Is The Best For You?

I do a lot of soldering. A LOT! Whether it’s soldering wires onto printed circuit boards, or soldering battery leads on a lithium pack, soldering is just part of the game when it comes to anything that is powered by electricity. I often get asked what my soldering setup of choice is and why…

In this video I cover four popular soldering irons, in four different price categories. The range is from $10 to over $1,000! They include the LDK, Weller WLC100, Hakko FX888D and the monster Weller WX2. Which is my favorite? Which is best for you? Tune in to find out!

Is there another soldering iron I should have considered for the test? Which is your favorite? Leave a comment below!

SOLDERING IRONS TESTED IN THIS VIDEO:

LDK: https://amzn.to/3cFiP6k
WELLER WLC100: https://amzn.to/2TNc0qv
HAKKO FX888D: https://amzn.to/3cHqReD
WELLER WX2: https://amzn.to/2TwJt9T

Please be sure to check out my social channels for more info regarding drones, emerging tech, and unmanned aviation.

https://www.facebook.com/WattsInnovations

https://www.instagram.com/wattsinnovations

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-watts/

https://www.youtube.com/user/BobbyWattsHeli

Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Streaming Platform

Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here:

Which Drone Shots Pay The Most? Interview with Paul Prescott from Amazing Aerial Agency

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Paul Prescott, CEO of Amazing Aerial Agency, located all the way in Croatia. Amazing Aerial Agency is a repository of curated stock footage, both drone photos and videos. This stock footage is purchased by magazines, publishing companies, news outlets, etc. for royalty free use. The best part about it? Drone pilots just like you get paid to create the content!

If you are looking to get paid for flying your drone, this is a really interesting discussion where we dive into what makes content great, which kind of footage is worth more than others, and how to get involved. If you want to learn more, head to Amazing Aerial Agency, reach out to them and tell him you want to be a contributor! Oh yeah, tell them I sent you 🙂

https://www.amazingaerial.agency

Please be sure to check out my social channels for more info regarding drones, emerging tech, and unmanned aviation.

https://www.facebook.com/WattsInnovations

https://www.instagram.com/wattsinnovations

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-watts/

https://www.youtube.com/user/BobbyWattsHeli

Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Streaming Platform

Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here:

Continuing the FAA Remote ID Discussion with Paul Aitken from the Drone U Podcast

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Paul Aitken from the Drone U podcast, as we continued the discussion of Remote ID. Like my conversation with Kenji Sugahara in the most recent High Voltage Podcast, Paul and I discuss just how this would affect different sectors in unmanned aviation, from hobbyists, to professional drone operators, to small manufacturers like myself. This is a really interesting interview and it was really a great time chatting with Paul… I can’t wait to be back!

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Be sure to check out Drone U for tons more content- as they put out a podcast just about every day!

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MORE ABOUT REMOTE ID: In December of 2019, the FAA released a 300+ page document that proposed what they call “Remote ID”, which in essence is a set of rules that would allow them to monitor the airspace here in the United States for all remotely controlled aircraft. Basically, this is a regulation that would affect everyone in the unmanned aircraft community, whether you are a recreational Radio Controlled Airplane pilot who flies at the local AMA flying field, all the way to the likes of an Amazon looking to do unmanned package deliveries.

Here is the link for more information and how to leave a comment:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/12/31/2019-28100/remote-identification-of-unmanned-aircraft-systems

Please be sure to check out my social channels for more info regarding drones, emerging tech, and unmanned aviation.

https://www.facebook.com/WattsInnovations

https://www.instagram.com/wattsinnovations

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-watts/

https://www.youtube.com/user/BobbyWattsHeli

Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Streaming Platform

Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here:

“Hobbyists Got Screwed” Breaking Down The FAA Remote ID Proposal With Kenji Sugahara

In December of 2019, the FAA released a 300+ page document that proposed what they call “Remote ID”, which in essence is a set of rules that would allow them to monitor the airspace here in the United States for all remotely controlled aircraft. Basically, this is a regulation that would affect everyone in the unmanned aircraft community, whether you are a recreational Radio Controlled Airplane pilot who flies at the local AMA flying field, all the way to the likes of an Amazon looking to do unmanned package deliveries. To be honest, I sat down and read the document myself but let’s face it – most of it just went over my head.

So, I figured it would be best to chat with someone who is an expert on the subject! In a recent interview for my High Voltage Podcast, I sit down with my friend Kenji Sugahara, who is the perfect person to chat with to discuss this matter.

Kenji is technically a lawyer who passed the bar exam, but because his passion for flying and operating drones outweighs his passion for practicing law, he now works full time in his business A-Cam Aerials located in Oregon. Instead of sitting in a courtroom or office all day, he and his team spend their days out in the Pacific Northwest shooting movies, TV shows and commercials with drones. As a member of the Federal Aviation Rulemaking Committee, he was involved with providing the FAA with some insight as to some possible rules that would allow drones to operate in National Airspace safely and effectively. Did the FAA take into account the advice he and the others provided for this rule making? Well – no, they didn’t.

In this interview, we discuss how the FAA’s proposed Remote ID system would affect hobbyists, UAV operators such as himself, and small aircraft manufactures like myself. Just how bad will it be? With these proposed rules, to put it in Kenji’s words, “Hobbyists Got Screwed”. Listen in and get a sense for how these new proposed rules would affect you, however you are involved with unmanned aviation.

Now, what do we do about it??? The FAA has a comment period that is open until March 2, 2020 (only 25 days from the time this is being posted). So, if you have not commented on the proposed set of rules and explain to the FAA how this would affect you personally, please be sure to do so! Remember, as Kenji states in the end of the video, don’t just slam the FAA and tell them how they are ruining your life – be sure to point out both the good and bad.

Lastly, DO NOT COPY AND PASTE a comment from the AMA or any other organization! This will be treated as one comment and not help move the needle.

Here is the link for more information and how to leave a comment:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/12/31/2019-28100/remote-identification-of-unmanned-aircraft-systems

Please be sure to check out my social channels for more Q&A notifications so you can get in a question for the next one.

https://www.facebook.com/WattsInnovations

https://www.instagram.com/wattsinnovations

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-watts/

https://www.youtube.com/user/BobbyWattsHeli

 

Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Streaming Platform

Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here:

Q&A #1- Drones: Turning RC Hobby Into a Side Gig, Flight Controllers, Drone Uses for Farmers, and More!

In this first Q&A we cover all sorts of topics regarding drones! Last week I asked my social media community to write in their questions for my first Q&A and as luck would have it, every question was pertaining to drones. Here we discuss topics from turning your hobby into a profession, to flight controllers, various use cases for drones and answer the question whether or not drones are still being used recreationally. This was a really fun one to do- would love to do it again!

Please be sure to check out my social channels for more Q&A notifications so you can get in a question for the next one.

https://www.facebook.com/WattsInnovations

https://www.instagram.com/wattsinnovations

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-watts/

https://www.youtube.com/user/BobbyWattsHeli

 

Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Streaming Platform

Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here:

Interview with Stephen Glaus on the Unmanned Uncovered Podcast

I recently had the pleasure of being on the Unmanned Uncovered Podcast hosted by Stephen Glaus. In this interview we had a great chat about how I got started in the industry, drones for good, what we are up to at Watts Innovations, and all things unmanned. In addition we go into detail about how to continue moving forward after a certain business or business model doesn’t quite succeed. This gives a bit more insight as to what I have been up to in the past few years and I hope you enjoy it! 

For anyone in the unmanned aviation space I highly encourage you to check out Stephen’s Unmanned Uncovered podcast!

 

Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Streaming Platform

Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here:

Drones & Cybersecurity: Interview with Jeff Parisse, Senior Aviation Analyst

Jeff Parisse has been in the unmanned aircraft space for many years. His specialties include UAV use for mapping, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, you name it. He has recently been specializing in Cybersecurity with a deep understanding of drone technology and how the data they capture may be used for malice in the wrong hands.

Recently in the news, Chinese made drones have been put in the spotlight for allegedly sharing customer’s private data with the Chinese government. In addition, consumer drone manufacturer DJI (who has 80% of the drone market share in the USA) has just released a “Government Edition” of their aircraft, which does not send any data back to DJI or any third parties. This begs the question: “What kind of information is being shared?” 

I am deeply fascinated by this subject, as it has so many implications that can affect practically anyone who relies on drones for a service or utility. In this interview, Jeff and I discuss exactly what kind of data these drones may be collecting, how criminals are utilizing drones to hack into vulnerable networks, and how concerned the average drone pilot should be regarding cybersecurity. This is a fascinating topic that continues to change and evolve each and every day.

 

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Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here:

Fabricating Parts in Your Basement: Interview with Erick Royer of Stepcraft CNC Systems

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Erick Royer of Stepcraft CNC Systems. Stepcraft is the manufacturer of high end, easy to use CNC machines that allow users to fabricate parts in their very own home. Join in as we discuss how he used Kickstarter to launch his first product, the journey he went through to scale the business, and the endless possibilities of making your very own parts at home with these machines.

We are living through an incredible time of DIY, inventorship and entrepreneurship. As Erick explains, so many of his customers have purchased a small CNC machine from him, started a side hustle- which has now evolved into a full time business. This is a really great listen for anyone looking to make things at home. Hope you enjoy!

 
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Interview from the Drone Trainer Podcast- with Chris Anderson

Here is a recent interview I did with Chris Anderson from the Drone Trainer Podcast. Chris has an awesome website called The Drone Trainer, where he offers online drone training. If you are looking to get into drones and are looking to become a service provider of some sort- he has some great resources so definitely check it out.

 

In this interview, join me and Chris as we chat about various topics from how I got involved in the RC Heli / Drone world, taking your passion from a hobby to a business, all the way to how to market your business utilizing social media- with everything in between. I hope you enjoy! 

 

 

 
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Or Listen To The Podcast Episode Right Here: