Welcome to the 'Do You Know Drones?' podcast. Dive deep with us as we chat with insiders and explore today's drone buzz.
Do You Know Drones?
Claim This Podcastby Jason San Souci
3.5(8 reviews)
116 episodes
Updated Inactive
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Podcast Overview
Welcome to the 'Do You Know Drones?' podcast. Dive deep with us as we chat with insiders and explore today's drone buzz.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/18/2019
1 verified contact email on file for Do You Know Drones?
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Recent Episodes
February 9, 2026
The Hidden Cost of Overreliance on Hope in Drone Operations — and the Standards That Can Fix It
<p>Instantly gauge your drone program's maturity and get your growth roadmap. Download the FREE Assessment 👉 <a href="https://bit.ly/drone-program-maturity-assessment " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://bit.ly/drone-program-maturity-assessment </a></p><p>Ready for the Pro-Level? Sign up for our paid newsletter, The Drone Strategist, on Substack! 👉 </p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/the-drone-strategist-newsletter " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://bit.ly/the-drone-strategist-newsletter </a></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>Most drone industry leaders agree: without clear standards, the industry risks chaos—and safety crises. Brandon Beal, CEO of Elevation Aerial Application, exposes how fragmentation and outdated practices threaten long-term growth, and shares bold solutions that any operator or manufacturer needs to hear.</p><p>This episode dives into the real challenges of unregulated innovation—from drone crashes and maintenance nightmares to the creeping gap between prosumer tech and enterprise-grade reliability. Brandon reveals that hope and hope alone aren’t enough—standards, shared protocols, and open communication are the tools that can push the industry forward. You'll discover why current safety practices are insufficient, what a true safety-first operating culture looks like, and how industry-wide open standards could unlock faster adoption, better safety, and lower costs across all sectors—agriculture, law enforcement, delivery, and beyond.</p><p>We break down the crucial differences between aviation’s risk-averse mindset and industries tiptoeing into drones. Brandon shares insights on how manufacturers hinder progress by hiding flight data, why the biggest opportunities lie in collaborative, transparent ecosystems, and how entrepreneurs can lead the way with affordable diagnostic tools and open protocols. If you’re an operator striving for reliability, an innovator aiming to accelerate growth, or a policymaker concerned about safety—this episode rewires your thinking.</p><p>Why ignoring this crisis in standards means risking more crashes, higher costs, and regulatory clampdowns. But embracing shared frameworks and manufacturer transparency opens the door to safer skies, smarter operations, and explosive industry growth. This is essential listening for everyone committed to building a sustainable drone future—because the industry isn’t slowing down, and the choice is ours: crash into a wall or build a way around it.</p><p>Are you ready to rethink safety, collaboration, and progress in drone technology? Hit play.</p><p>Key Takeaways:</p><ul><li>The industry’s convergence demands consistent, shared standards</li><li>Communication beats confusion—especially in shared airspace</li><li>Preventative maintenance is profitability</li><li>Open diagnostics and data access unlock faster troubleshooting</li><li>Operators can lead—don’t wait for regulation to force it</li></ul>
December 2, 2025
How NYPA is Using Drones to Modernize Operations and Protect Workers with Peter Kalaitzidis
<p>Instantly gauge your drone program's maturity and get your growth roadmap. Download the FREE Assessment 👉<a href="https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment</a> </p><p>Ready for the Pro-Level? Sign up for our paid newsletter, The Drone Strategist, on Substack! 👉<a href="https://bit.ly/the-dronestrategist-newsletter" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://bit.ly/the-dronestrategist-newsletter</a></p><p>—————————————</p><p>In this episode, host <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Jason San Souci</strong></a> welcomes <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-kalaitzidis-508500103/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Peter Kalaitzidis</strong></a>, Senior Robotics and UAS Program Manager at the <a href="https://www.nypa.gov/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>New York Power Authority</strong></a> (NYPA). Peter brings years of hands-on expertise in drone operations, safety, and data management, and he breaks down how robotics is transforming utility inspections. Peter shares how NYPA is building a massive internal pilot program, investing $37 million in robotics through 2028, and why retaining institutional knowledge is their most powerful metric for success.</p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Safety First:</strong> NYPA's top priority is safety, driven by the philosophy: "Risk the machine, not the person."</p></li><li><p><strong>The Power of Data:</strong> NYPA uses its proprietary Media Hub to classify hundreds of thousands of inspection photos, building the foundation for asset-specific AI models.</p></li><li><p><strong>Human-Centric ROI:</strong> Success is measured by retaining expert employees for extra years, preserving invaluable institutional knowledge over simple cost savings.</p></li><li><p><strong>Program Scale:</strong> NYPA has trained over 146 internal employees, including pilots up to 70 years old, as drone operators.</p></li><li><p><strong>Controversial View:</strong> Peter argues against full automation ("Skynet" mentality), stressing that the "Human in the Loop" (SMEs) is always essential for complex inspection workflows.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Episode Highlights and Timestamps:</strong></p><p><strong>[00:00:00]</strong> - Introduction and opening questions for Peter Kalaitzidis </p><p><strong>[00:02:55]</strong> - <strong>Peter's Journey:</strong> From US Air Force veteran to leading the robotics program at the New York Power Authority</p><p> <strong>[00:04:54] - Program Scale: </strong>NYPA has successfully trained 146 internal drone pilots, including employees up to 70 years old </p><p><strong>[00:05:13] - Strategic Goals:</strong> The complex list of three priorities: Safety, Safety, Safety [00:06:05] - Safety Philosophy: Limiting risk by using the approach: "Risk the machine, not the person" </p><p><strong>[00:07:11] - NYPA's $37M Investment:</strong> Allocation of funds toward Asset Monitoring, Vegetation Management, and Emergency Response </p><p><strong>[00:10:12] - Data Management & AI:</strong> How Media Hub is used to classify high-resolution images to create utility-specific AI models </p><p><strong>[00:14:50] - Measuring ROI:</strong> Discussing the "walk, crawl, run" mentality and focusing on preventative maintenance activities </p><p><strong>[00:17:40] - Human Success Metric:</strong> The story of the 68-year-old pilot who worked two extra years because of the drone program, saving invaluable institutional knowledge </p><p><strong>[00:20:28] - Controversial Topic:</strong> The argument for why "Human in the Loop" will always be essential and why full automation fails without SMEs</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Follow the Guest Peter Kalaitzidis:</strong></p><p>👉 LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-kalaitzidis-508500103/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-kalaitzidis-508500103/</a></p><p>👉 Company’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-power-authority/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-york-power-authority/</a></p><p>👉 Website: <a href="https://www.nypa.gov/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nypa.gov/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Follow the Host Jason San Souci:</strong></p><p>👉 LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:</strong></p><p> 👉 <strong>Website</strong>: <a href="https://www.droneopsusa.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.droneopsusa.com</a> </p><p>👉<strong> LinkedIn:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/</a> </p><p>👉 <strong>Instagram</strong>: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/#" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/#</a> </p><p>👉 <strong>X(Twitter)</strong>: <a href="https://x.com/DronesDyk" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://x.com/DronesDyk</a> </p><p>👉 <strong>Email</strong>: dykdrones@gmail.com</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Follow the Podcast:</strong></p><p> 👉 <strong>Apple Podcast</strong>:<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112</a> </p><p>👉 <strong>YouTube: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones</a></p><p><br /></p><p>#UtilityDrones #RoboticsInInspection #NYPA #DroneSafety #HumanInTheLoop #AssetManagement #UASProgram #DataClassification</p>
November 19, 2025
The Drone Strategy Behind Verizon’s ROI, Safety Standards, and National Response with Scott Forbes
<p>Instantly gauge your drone program's maturity and get your growth roadmap. Download the FREE Assessment 👉<a href="https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment"> <u>https://bit.ly/droneprogram-maturity-assessment</u></a> </p><p>Ready for the Pro-Level? Sign up for our paid newsletter, The Drone Strategist, on Substack! 👉<a href="https://bit.ly/the-dronestrategist-newsletter"> <u>https://bit.ly/the-dronestrategist-newsletter</u></a></p><p>------------------------------</p><p>In this episode, host <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/"><strong>Jason San Souci</strong></a> welcomes <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-forbes/"><strong>Scott Forbes</strong></a>, Senior Analyst for Drone Safety and Standards at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/verizon/"><strong>Verizon</strong></a> and a former US Army Blackhawk maintenance test pilot. Scott shares his unique journey from 25 years in military aviation to overseeing one of the largest corporate drone programs. Scott breaks down the pillars of Verizon’s robust Safety Management System (SMS) and shares a provocative view on the future of professional drone pilots.</p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li><li><strong>HAWK Drone:</strong> Learn how Verizon uses a tethered drone, the "HAWK," to instantly re-establish wireless communication networks in disaster areas.</li></li><li><li><strong>The Power of 4G LTE:</strong> Why Verizon's proven 4G network is the "force multiplier" for long-distance command and control and real-time video streaming (situational awareness) for first responders.</li></li><li><li><strong>Safety Management System (SMS):</strong> The essential safety metrics Verizon tracks, including preflight checklists, anonymous reporting, and battery/distance performance indicators, to ensure thousands of damage-free flights.</li><li><strong>Career Journey:</strong> Scott's transition from a US Army Blackhawk maintenance test pilot to a drone safety leader at a Fortune 50 company.</li></li></ul><li><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Highlights and Timestamps:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>[00:00:00] - </strong>Introduction/Opening </li></ul><ul><br></ul><ul><li><strong>[00:03:33] - Scott's Journey:</strong> From US Army Blackhawk maintenance test pilot to Verizon Senior Analyst, Drone Safety and Standards </li></ul></li><ul><li><strong>[00:05:00] - Strategic Goals:</strong> Fleet modernization, world-class in-person training, and increasing capabilities integration (e.g., hyper-precise location) </li><li><strong>[00:07:35] - Disaster Response:</strong> Use of drones for rapid mapping and terrain assessment for Verizon's Incident Response Team (DIRT) </li><li><strong>[00:10:20] - 4G vs. 5G: </strong>Current use of 4G LTE for airborne Command and Control (C2) and real-time video streaming due to FCC limitations on 5G for drone operations </li><li><strong>[00:12:14] - Safety Pillars: </strong>The importance of a robust Safety Management System (SMS), the Drone Handbook, and mandatory preflight checklists </li><li><strong>[00:15:13] - Internal Certification: </strong>Verizon's process for training and certifying its remote pilots, including monitoring flight maneuvers via their flight management system<strong> </strong></li><li><strong>[00:17:32] - Industry-Wide Standards: </strong>Scott's belief that common standards, collaborating with peers, and communicating with the FAA are essential for safe growth</li><li><strong>[00:20:20] - Measuring ROI: </strong>Quantifying economic benefits by comparing costs of drone use to traditional methods (e.g., tower climbs) for use cases like site surveys, microwave line-of-sight, and avian inspections </li><li><strong>[00:25:34] Controversial Topic: </strong>The argument that every enterprise drone program should employ full-time drone pilots with an "aviator's mindset" to safely tackle newer, more complex use cases like Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)</li><li><br></li></ul><p><strong>Follow the Guest Scott Forbes:</strong></p><p>👉 LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-forbes/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-forbes/</u></a></p><p>👉 Company’s LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/verizon/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/company/verizon/</u></a></p><p>👉 Website: <a href="https://mycareer.verizon.com/"><u>https://mycareer.verizon.com/</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow the Host Jason San Souci:</strong></p><p>👉 LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsansouci/</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>🔗 More from Do You Know Drones:</strong></p><p> 👉 <strong>Website</strong>: <a href="https://www.droneopsusa.com/"><u>https://www.droneopsusa.com</u></a> </p><p>👉<strong> LinkedIn:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/company/afe-advisor-llc/</u></a> </p><p>👉 <strong>Instagram</strong>: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/#"><u>https://www.instagram.com/dykdrones/#</u></a> </p><p>👉 <strong>X(Twitter)</strong>: <a href="https://x.com/DronesDyk"><u>https://x.com/DronesDyk</u></a> </p><p>👉 <strong>Email</strong>: dykdrones@gmail.com</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow the Podcast:</strong></p><p> 👉 <strong>Apple Podcast</strong>:<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112"><u>https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-know-drones/id1479307112</u></a> </p><p>👉 <strong>YouTube: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones"><u>https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouKnowDrones</u></a></p><p>#DroneTechnology #UAS #Verizon #DroneSafety #DisasterResponse #Aviation #SafetyManagementSystem #EnterpriseDrones</p>
116 total episodes available
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