Valinor’s Post

So.. DroneX Tradeshow & Conference asked that we don’t drag them into the Gatwick Conspiracy that the Sussex Police are peddling.. They told me via email that they considered the matter to be closed.. Yet today it was pointed out to me.. that my speaking slot has been erased from history! Apparently I never did a talk on the Gatwick drone! In fact, I never did any talk! Apparently discussing the Gatwick drone is not in the interests of the drone industry! AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International would not block transparency in the Drone industry AAUS - Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems would not block transparency in the Drone industry So.. who does DroneX represent? Do they represent the UK DFT? Do the represent Sussex Police? Do they represent UKCAA? Something stinks here!! For all we know.. there is ZERO evidence of a drone, yet worldwide legislation has used this as justification for locking down the industry. Fact or fiction, Gatwick truth matters https://lnkd.in/gUfeTGH3

It’s not often that the BIG XAG P100 Pro drone gets upstaged, but just as the latest group of new pilots are getting into the nitty gritty of flight planning, a Terrier armoured combat engineering vehicle arrived on the scene. Engineers from the tanks manufacturer were getting some hands-on training of the Terriers capabilities. Once we’d finished admiring the awesome tank, we got back to our own, hands-on training… If you think agri drone operations might be the right fit for your business, here are couple of useful links... For information about the drone spraying course at Harper Adams University: https://lnkd.in/ddeiWev3 The course is run by the team at Drone Spray Precision. To book a slot: https://lnkd.in/eUXdahvT If you'd like to get more involved and are interested in buying a drone contact one of our selected resellers: https://lnkd.in/d5tugfUV

Why Top Real Estate Drone Pilots Sell Value Before Price As a dedicated real estate drone pilot, you’ve likely experienced the acute frustration of losing clients to competitors who undercut prices. These competitors, who prostitute their services at rock-bottom rates, are not just taking business away from you—they’re devaluing the entire industry. It’s infuriating to see clients lured away by the promise of cheap rates, only to receive substandard services that ultimately hurt the reputation of all drone pilots. Your expertise, quality, and the time you invest in honing your craft are constantly undermined by these price-cutting tactics. https://lnkd.in/gAVaMjZx #drones #dronepilot #droneservice #Oregon #realestate #DJI #FAA

We continue to tell you about Hard Cat Drones — a startup from the first batch of Defence Builder's acceleration! Hard Cat Drones CPO Dmytro Pishchukevich is speaking with Militarnyi at Defense Tech Valley by BRAVE1 ↘️ "This is a kamikaze drone designed to destroy small motorized boats. Its maximum speed is up to 40 km/h, range is up to 10 km, payload capacity: 3 kg. Another model is currently in development, and we plan to make it faster. Additionally, based on this model, we are working on a version for clearing anchor mines." Watch more (you can turn on english subtitles): https://lnkd.in/daVB4wtT

Elite drone pilots, custom-built high-speed drones, and groundbreaking technology? No wonder The Drone Racing League (DRL) is a fan favorite🎙️episode. ICYMI: Discover how DRL has revolutionized drone racing! COO Ashley Ellefson takes us behind the scenes of the innovative technology and partnership with the FAA to ensure safe drone events. https://bit.ly/3YWevsi

What is DJI Care refresh? We've broken it down for you. We're diving deep into DJI Care Refresh to see if it's right fit for you. DJI Care Refresh offers quick replacements for peace of mind — but is it worth the investment? We cover the three different tiers, costs, benefits, and when it makes the most sense to invest in Care Refresh coverage. #dji #carerefresh #warranty #drone #drones #dronecrash #dronecrashes #peaceofmind #dronelife

Another day another drone inspection! 🚁 Today brings us to Clapham to inspect some roofs 🏠 The sun may not be shining but hopefully we can shine a light on potential issues these properties are having! ☀️ What could be going on with your roofs? Get in touch to find out 📞 Vantage UAV Chris Mitchell #dronesforgood #assetinspections #assetmanagement #proactive #technology

Thank you James Earl for this post. When you extract the parts of the sum it does make for a great deal of thought and contemplation. Swoop Aero has raised over $26 million since its inception, with a significant portion, $16 million, coming from a Series B round in 2022. This fundraising milestone followed the company's decision to turn down a $100 million takeover offer, a move that seemed to signal strong confidence in its future. However, with hindsight, the rejection may have been either a deluded overestimation of its value or as per the announcement of today  reflection of internal cash allocation issues that a potential buyer might have uncovered back in 2022 that they have failed to fix. The stark contrast between the $100 million offer and the company’s current predicament raises questions. Was the confidence in Swoop Aero’s trajectory misplaced? Investors certainly seem to have lost faith in the company’s potential, despite the lucrative offer made just two years prior. Swoop Aero’s leadership has consistently emphasised its investment in research and development (R&D) as a key priority, but it then brings into question whether these capital allocations were judicious, given the company’s immediate predicament. Was the last round of investment spent effectively to build a sustainable business model, or was it spread thinly across initiatives that provided little immediate return? A common pitfall in startup scaling is that the people required for a business to scale have a significantly different mind and skill sets to that of a start-up team that in many circumstances have no production or scalling experience, which makes expanding too quickly at the expense of stabilizing core operations, fatal.  Swoop Aero’s downfall may have been triggered by this very issue. Moreover, the decision to reject a takeover offer that was far greater than their Series B capital raise suggests a misjudgement of both their worth and financial stability. The disparity between Swoop Aero’s public narrative and its financial reality is hard to ignore. CEO Eric Peck’s ambitious vision of creating a new infrastructure layer for society, where drone logistics revolutionise the global delivery of goods and services has grandiose echoes of models that even tech giants like Amazon have shelved. While bold ambition is essential for innovation, it can quickly unravel without clear fiduciary oversight, as today’s news demonstrates. The company’s inability to chart a path to profitability, despite its outwardly promoted success, highlights the dangers of over-promising and under-delivering or embellishment of reality. As creditors prepare for their first meeting on October 24, 2024, the fate of Swoop Aero will depend on whether a buyer or investor steps in to rescue the company. No amount of innovation or goodwill can replace the importance of sound financial planning. Without it, even the most promising companies risk collapse before they ever truly take off.

#Switzerland is spearheading the usage of #dones. "Around 90,000 drone pilots are now registered in Switzerland’s official drone register. About 75,000 people have completed the #FOCA’s drone training and examinations (as at October 2024)" a new Federal Council Report showcases. https://lnkd.in/ecCMnsq8

Check out our quick take on why we use drones in our videos. Great work by Oliver Greenham and Chloe Smith to put this Tips Video together!