Welcome to "Weekly Wings," your go-to podcast from DroneLife.com, where we soar through the latest in drone technology, regulation updates, and exciting innovations. Each week, join our hosts as they navigate the skies of the drone industry, offering expert insights, interviews with key figures, and a bird’s-eye view of how drones are shaping our world. From commercial applications to recreational adventures, "Weekly Wings" delves deep into how these remarkable machines are impacting construction, education, agriculture, filmmaking, delivery services, and much more. Whether you're a professional drone operator, a hobbyist, or just drone-curious, tune in to stay informed and inspired as we explore the heights of what's possible in the world of drones. Subscribe now and never miss an episode of "Weekly Wings" where the future is looking up!
Tariffs, Tactics & Transition Flights: The Drone Industry Enters a New Phase | May 7, 2025
In this episode of Weekly Wings, Paul Rossi and Terry Neff return from a brief hiatus to tackle a jam-packed lineup of updates shaping the drone industry and adjacent sectors. They kick off with a listener-driven deep dive into the real-time impacts of steep U.S. tariffs on Chinese-manufactured drones—highlighting price spikes in DJI's enterprise line and the broader consequences for public safety agencies and small businesses.
They then examine how U.S. drone firms like Unusual Machines are leveraging the policy shift, with discussions about their ongoing motor production facility in Orlando, their connection to Red Cat, and a new public stock offering aimed at scaling up domestic manufacturing.
From the battlefield to the backcountry, the episode explores cold-weather drone testing by the 10th Mountain Division using a variety of drone platforms, revealing the harsh operational realities of flying in snow, sleet, and freezing rain—and what it teaches about battery performance under stress. They also spotlight a new GM-made hybrid military truck capable of powering an entire command post for 24 hours.
Wrapping up, Paul and Terry react to Joby Aviation’s successful emergency failure testing of its piloted eVTOL aircraft, applauding its layered resilience systems and uneventful response to simulated motor, battery, and actuator failures. It’s a forward-looking, fast-paced episode that connects geopolitical shifts, tactical drone use, and the growing reliability of next-gen flight.
14 Apr 2025
Capsules & Contracts: Drones, Space & Policy Unpacked | April 9, 2025
In this week’s jam-packed episode of Weekly Wings, Paul Rossi and Terry Neff bring you a blend of space, defense, public safety, and developments shaking up the drone and aerospace sectors. Kicking things off with live reactions to the SpaceX Crew Dragon recovery, the hosts reflect on human spaceflight and operational testing post-splashdown.
International headlines follow, with Japan’s JUADA-supported drone delivery trials on remote islands using Toyota-backed UAVs. Meanwhile, Anduril’s push into large-scale military drones such as the “Fury” takes aim at Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat in Australia, illustrating growing competition for global defense contracts.
Back on U.S. soil, the episode highlights a reform in Army drone operation rules, removing red tape that penalized soldiers for equipment losses. Paul and Terry also break down Space Force’s classified satellite surveillance ops, a $1.96 billion MQ-9B sale to Qatar, and how Unusual Machines’ acquisition of Aloft could position them to dominate U.S. airspace monitoring.
They close with a mix of public safety drone innovations—from MatrixSpace’s radar-assisted DFR programs in Palm Springs to speculative, non-lethal pepper spray drones for school security—and economic reflections on tariffs, outsourcing, and the rising cost of drones. It’s a wild ride that connects politics, industry trends, and emerging tech—all from a boots-on-the-ground perspective.
Be sure to check out DroneLife.com to catch up on these stories and everything else happening in the world of drones.
10 Mar 2025
BYD’s Drone Integration, Ukraine’s Drone Industry & U.S. BVLOS Push | March 9, 2025
In this episode of Weekly Wings, Paul Rossi and Terry Neff dive into the latest developments in drone technology, global policy, and market shifts. They start by analyzing BYD’s groundbreaking EV-drone integration, where the world's largest EV manufacturer has partnered with DJI to incorporate a docking system for autonomous drones in its vehicles. They debate the practicality of this feature and its potential applications for creative travelers, public safety, and autonomous vehicle integration - https://dronelife.com/2025/03/05/car-maker-byd-introduces-roof-mounted-dji-drone-system-for-select-models/
Shifting gears, they explore the $1.5 billion U.S. investment into Ukraine’s drone industry, discussing how American intelligence has reportedly helped design a new generation of drones for modern warfare. They question why these funds weren't directed toward struggling U.S. drone manufacturers like Red Cat, Ondas, and Unusual Machines, which could have benefited from defense contracts - https://kyivindependent.com/biden-admin-secretly-facilitated-ukraines-drone-industry-nyt-reports/
The conversation moves to DJI’s latest product leaks, including early images of the Mavic 4 Pro and Mini 5, with speculation about LiDAR capabilities. They also discuss DJI’s Dock 3, which offers vehicle-mounted drone deployment, hinting at future law enforcement and commercial applications - https://dronelife.com/2025/02/27/dji-unveils-dock-3-revolutionizing-drone-in-a-box-technology-with-vehicle-mounting-capabilities/
The episode wraps up with a discussion on the push for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rulemaking in the U.S., with the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) urging the Trump administration to accelerate deregulation. Paul and Terry highlight how BVLOS approvals could open doors for large-scale commercial drone operations, benefiting industries from infrastructure inspection to public safety - https://dronelife.com/2025/03/03/commercial-drone-alliance-urges-swift-action-on-bvlos-rule-making/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,947,480
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.7 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
85
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
31
Contact Weekly Wings: DroneLife.com
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