In this episode of The Unmanned Podcast, Adrian Odell, Director of Flight Operations at ARO Aerial Inc, joins the conversation to share how drones are transforming construction and surveying workflows. As a USI graduate and instructor, he breaks down how professional training has elevated his approach to safety, planning, and data collection, while also highlighting the real-world impact drones have on efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making across complex job sites.
Q1: So how did you get into drones?
Adrian: Honestly, it started back in 2016 when I saw a licensed pilot brought in for a project, and that’s when it clicked that drones are actually serious tools, not just something you fly for fun. I’d always been into aviation growing up, so once I saw the real-world application, I got hooked pretty quickly. I started with one drone, and now I’ve built that up to about twelve.
Adrian: I was already teaching and working in drone education, and through that I got introduced to USI as a way to level up my own skills. I figured I’d try it out, but it ended up being way more valuable than I expected in terms of structure, professionalism, and how it applies to real-world operations.
Adrian: Probably how professional and detailed it was, especially when it came to safety and communication during operations. It really focused on how to operate as a team and think beyond just flying, which made me realize there were definitely areas where I could improve and be more intentional.
Adrian: Definitely, it’s made me much more intentional in everything I do—from planning flights to communicating with clients and teams on-site. I now spend more time thinking about what kind of data is actually needed and how to deliver it in a way that’s useful, not just capturing visuals.
Adrian: A lot of it is planning before I even step on-site, like mapping flights, setting up ground control points, and understanding what level of accuracy the project needs. Then when I’m on-site, it’s all about executing that plan consistently and making sure the data I collect is reliable and usable for everyone involved.
Adrian: Don’t just stop at getting your Part 107—use that as your starting point and keep building from there. Pick a lane, whether it’s construction, agriculture, or something else, and really focus on becoming great in that specific area so you can stand out and grow professionally.
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