Facing a surveyor shortage and rising costs, Midwest firms are stuck waiting weeks and paying premium rates for site data—while competitors using documented drone workflows deliver survey-grade results in hours, slash costs, and win infrastructure contracts. This guide breaks down the real numbers, the tech that leapfrogs bottlenecks, and how early adopters gain a serious edge in the IIJA era.

Curious about which drone mapping software truly delivers? We tested the industry’s major platforms and share what worked for our team, why we made our choices, and key lessons learned. If you’re always on the lookout for better processing tools or want to compare your own workflow, this article breaks down our honest insights for GIS and survey pros.

Procurement headaches, endless compliance checks, and missed deadlines—sound familiar? For public works and infrastructure pros, choosing the right drone partner isn’t just about tech; it’s about reliability, compliance, and results. Veteran-owned, SDVOSB-certified teams like 9 Line Aerial Media streamline your process, nail set-aside requirements, and deliver fast, audit-ready results—every time.

Most companies think their “drone team” is delivering value, but if all you’re getting are pretty pictures for social media, you’re missing out on the real benefits. True drone capability means accurate, engineering-grade data—usable for bidding, progress tracking, and cutting costly mistakes. Don’t settle for toy drones and buzzwords; level up with actionable, design-ready data that actually drives your projects forward.

Switching from DJI to Wingtra RAY? This straight-talk guide covers real-world lessons, key differences, and practical insights from a veteran drone operator. Learn what actually changes—hardware, software, workflow—so you can master your new Wingtra RAY and unlock the next level in aerial mapping fast. Reach out for expert help, honest advice, and design-ready deliverables.

Picture this: You're a facilities manager getting ready for your morning coffee when you receive a notice that your organization is facing a $75,000 fine for ADA non-compliance. The ramps are too steep, the parking spaces aren't properly marked, and somehow the accessible bathroom stalls don't meet current specifications. Sound like a nightmare? For many organizations, this scenario is all too real. The good news? There's a smarter way to stay ahead of ADA compliance issues w

New drone pilots are flocking to gig platforms, hoping for good pay—only to find themselves doing complex, expensive work for pennies. With big promises and “premium pilot” badges, these platforms skim the profits while pilots shoulder the costs and risks. This article exposes the real math behind drone gigs, the hidden traps for pilots, and why cheap drone work hurts everyone—from individual flyers to industry clients.

Winter can stall drone operations, but it doesn’t have to freeze your business. Learn smart cash flow strategies, new cold-weather revenue streams like thermal inspections and CAD consulting, and how to turn the off-season into your advantage. With the right planning, relationship-building, and business development, winter downtime sets you up for spring success.

Love him or hate him, President Trump's "America First" agenda has shaken up industries across the board, and the drone world hasn't been immune. As the owner of 9 Line Aerial Media, I've watched this unfold firsthand, and frankly, it's been a wild ride that forced us to make some tough but strategic decisions about our future. Let's be honest: DJI owns about 70% of the global drone market, and there's a good reason for that. They make incredible drones. Period. You can pick

Let's be honest – the writing's on the wall for DJI drones in the commercial space. With mounting regulatory pressure and potential restrictions, many drone service providers are scrambling to find alternatives. At 9 Line Aerial Media , we made the proactive decision to transition to the Wingtra Ray before we were forced to. What we discovered was that this wasn't just a simple equipment swap – it completely changed our entire workflow, data processing, and approach to precis

Picture this: you're standing in a field with your brand-new RTK drone, a stack of orange targets, and an Emlid RS3 GPS receiver, feeling pretty confident about your upcoming survey job. You've watched the YouTube tutorials, you know you need "ground control," but then someone asks: "Are those GCPs or checkpoints?" And suddenly, you realize you might not actually know the difference. Don't worry, you're definitely not alone. This confusion trips up drone pilots constantly, fr

Hey there, engineers. Let's address the elephant in the room, or should I say, the drone in the sky? We get it. You're looking at drone...

Imagine having a crystal ball that shows you exactly how your city will function before you build a single road, install a traffic light,...

Picture this: you're a city engineer tasked with mapping 500 miles of aging infrastructure, or you're an A/E firm needing...

Picture this: your municipality spends tens of thousands of dollars every year on traditional surveying. You're hiring crews, renting...

If you manage city infrastructure or oversee public works, you know how fast roads can go from smooth to sketchy. Pavement deterioration...

Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have radically transformed the landscape of search and rescue (SAR) operations. Their ability...

If you're in the building maintenance or energy management game, you've probably heard about drone thermal imaging. It's a total...

Multiple flying aircraft spotted in the skies of numerous towns in New Jersey, New York and even in the western US in California and...

Navigating the world of drone technology can often feel like deciphering a complex web of jargon and technical terms. Sometimes, you may...