The DroneOn Show

Épisodes

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  5-Year-Old Viviana Takes Over the DroneOn Show | The DroneOn Show Episode 59 14.08.2026 23min

  In this special DroneOn Show episode, Mike sits down with his 5-year-old daughter Viviana for her very first podcast appearance. Fresh off a workout and still in her cowgirl boots, Viviana chats about her pony Misty, what she knows about spray drones and thermal deer recovery, going on jobs with her dad, and why she loves finding deer. She shares her favorite parts of family life, her thoughts on school (she’s homeschooled), what she wants to be when she grows up, and plenty of fun, honest moments that only a 5-year-old can deliver. A light-hearted, heartwarming episode that shows the family side of the drone business.
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  Iowa & Mexico Spray Pilots: Zane & Bernhard on Startup Stories & Future of Drones | DroneOn Show Ep 58 07.08.2026 58min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike sits down with two fellow spray drone applicators: Zane Carter of Neutral Drones in Iowa and Bernhard Martens from Chihuahua, Mexico. Zane shares how a layoff from Wells Fargo led him into the industry, flying T40s in his first year and covering thousands of acres before building his own operation. Bernhard recounts starting in 2021 with a single T20 funded by his farm boss, working the farm by day and custom spraying by night to hit 8,000 acres in his first season—with a drone so reliable it barely needed parts. The three discuss early crashes, power lines as the biggest threat, differences in field sizes and operations between Iowa and Mexico, the strong ongoing demand for custom work, and where the industry is headed over the next five years as more farmers consider buying their own drones while custom applicators continue to scale.
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  From Aerospace Engineer to Drone Dealer: Mehdi’s Path with Talos Drones | The DroneOn Show Ep 57 31.07.2026 52min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike talks with Mehdi from Talos Drones about his path into the industry. Mehdi shares his background as a mechanical engineer with a master’s in composite materials for aerospace from West Virginia University, followed by work at a California chemical company developing pheromone applicators for orchards. There he built custom drone systems for high-viscosity products, modified early DJI MG-1 platforms, and secured USDA grants. He later used his savings to launch his own engineering and drone business around 2019, trained at DJI in China, and made his first sale to customers who drove up from Mexico. The conversation covers the realities of heavy after-sales support, staying technical as a dealer, honest feedback on T100 performance and swath widths, connectivity in tough areas, and why the spray drone industry attracts a younger crowd. Practical insights from someone who learned the technology from the inside out.
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  Texas Rangeland Pro: Ex-Winery Owner Builds Drone Business | The DroneOn Show Episode 56 24.07.2026 57min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike sits down with Jnani from Vortex Advantage Ag in Texas for a one-year update on his operation. Jnani shares how nearly all of his work remains focused on pasture and rangeland spraying rather than row crops, explaining the pricing realities versus airplanes and why his chopped-up Texas terrain with obstacles fits his approach. He walks through his full background—from Army airborne Gulf War veteran and skydiver, to college baseball pitcher, hardwood flooring company owner, personal protection/bodyguard work for high-profile clients, and owning a winery—before building Vortex into a deliberate brand. The conversation covers equipment sales without heavy inventory to stay neutral, the challenges of after-sales support, upcoming large solar projects, his move from XAG P150s to testing the massive Series Air platform, content creation struggles while spraying, and how YouTube drives most of his business. Honest talk on finding a niche, learning from past businesses, and helping others succeed.
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  Inside nuWay Ag: Dealer Program Growth, T100 Real Talk & Industry Expansion | The DroneOn Show Ep 55 10.07.2026 55min

  In this DroneOn Show owners episode, Mike, Jason, and Kevin dive deep into the real-world challenges and strategies of scaling nuWay Ag and Drone Deer Recovery. They explore building a strong dealer program through local support and distribution rather than just SEO, leveraging their Drone Deer Recovery audience to grow nuWay traffic, and the importance of the New AG Track app. The conversation covers international content reach leading to unique sales like batteries for remote island rat control, high call volumes from across the country, the new Kansas branch with same-day training success stories, and why local dealers are essential as drone adoption remains under 4%. They also discuss T100 performance in tough environments, the value of screen recording flights, DJI transparency and parts availability, the upcoming Wichita flagship retail store experience, and the thermal pilot locator’s ongoing impact. Honest talk on growth, obstacles, and what’s next for the business.
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  Spray Drones, Family Business & Personal Testimonies | The DroneOn Show Episode 54 26.06.2026 52min

  In episode 54 of the DroneOn Show, Mike, Jason, Dennis, and 21-year-old Kaden Lamprecht from western Iowa sit down for a raw conversation blending spray drone business with faith. Kaden shares how his family started their operation three years ago (running T50s and P150 Pros, covering 20,000+ acres mostly fungicide on corn and beans) while navigating farming challenges and trusting God’s direction. The discussion turns spiritual as Mike opens up about his journey from alcoholism to sobriety and launching Drone Deer Recovery, with Jay and Dennis also sharing parts of their testimonies. Topics include humility, spiritual warfare, family, overcoming doubt, and leaning on faith in business and life. An honest, encouraging episode full of real talk.
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  nuWay Ag Owners: T100 Swath Truth, Dealer Program & CV Coverage Reality | The DroneOn Show Ep 53 19.06.2026 1h 16min

  In this insightful DroneOn Show, Mike, Jason, and Kevin sit down for an open conversation about running nuWay Ag and Drone Deer Recovery. They break down their T100 swath testing results, the importance of strong CV coverage for uniform applications, why the drone industry needs to raise standards beyond traditional aerial 20-30% benchmarks, and practical settings for the best results. The trio also covers the New AG Track app, AI tools like Claude, the expanding dealer program with a new flagship store in Wichita, DJI’s renewed focus on the US market, the upcoming pickup truck unit, power washing opportunities, and lessons on successful partnerships. Honest, practical talk from the owners on operations, growth, and elevating spray drone applications.NuWay Ag Track is live — Download now: • Apple App Store → https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nuway-agtrack/id6748161334 • Google Play → https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nuwayag.agtrack&pcampaignid=web_share
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  Black Hawk Pilots Switch to Spray Drones: Military Precision in Louisiana | The DroneOn Show Ep 52 12.06.2026 52min

  Episode 52 of the DroneOn Show episode, Mike talks with Cody Davis and Clinton Giglio of Guardian Aerial in Louisiana — two former U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilots with a combined 39 years of military flight experience. They share their transition from flying heavy-lift military and medevac missions to operating spray drones (primarily T50s with T100 interest), covering the unique challenges of sugarcane applications, precision ripening sprays, chemical penetration, and high-stakes field work. The conversation dives into real-world drone incidents, trailer setups, military-honed discipline in operations, and why drones offer a safer, scalable path compared to traditional aerial application. A fascinating look at aviation pros bringing elite skills to ag drones in tough southern conditions.
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  31 Year Old Going All-In on Spray Drones – Complete Newbie Story | The DroneOn Show Ep 51 05.06.2026 50min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike and Jay talks with Bryce Matthews of StratoWorx Drone Solutions in Indiana. At 31 years old and brand new to spray drones, Bryce is right on the edge of pulling the trigger on a T100 and starting his own operation. He shares his extensive research process, why he’s leaning toward DJI, his conversations with current pilots at the conference, and how he plans to build the business alongside a partner while balancing family life (including 7 kids and a serious coon hunting hobby). Bryce also opens up about his background in CNC machining, RV sales, and why he’s ready to go all-in on drones as he moves back to southern Indiana. A raw, honest look at what it takes for a complete newcomer to enter the spray drone world.
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  From Cattle Farmer to Running a Spray Drone Business in the Mountains | The DroneOn Show Ep 50 29.05.2026 52min

  In episode 50 of the DroneOn Show, Mike and Jay catches up with Preston Cave of Pac Aerial Applications in North Carolina. Preston shares his journey from growing up on a tobacco farm and showing cattle to building a successful spray drone business. He talks about tackling rugged mountain terrain, Christmas tree applications, cover crops, pastures, and using a mini truck to access tough spots. The conversation covers upgrading from T40s to T50s, considering the T100, battling the 300ft ceiling, long days on the job, and practical advice for new operators looking to scale in challenging environments.
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  Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Illinois? Full Court Case Breakdown | The DroneOn Show Ep 49 22.05.2026 1h 16min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike and Kevin sits down with Jeremy Shelton, an Illinois drone deer recovery pilot, and his attorney Ed Fanning to break down a landmark court case. Jeremy received a citation for using a thermal drone to search for a wounded deer. The case went to trial and he was found not guilty — not on a technicality, but because the judge ruled that simply searching for a lost deer with a drone does not violate Illinois statute. The conversation dives deep into the actual law versus the conservation department’s interpretation, what “hunting,” “pursue,” and “take” really mean, why conservation has stated they will ignore the ruling and continue seizing drones, and practical advice for pilots who want to offer this service legally. A must-listen for anyone running or considering thermal drone deer recovery in Illinois. Edward J. FanningFanning Law Office - Hardin, IL(618) 576-2284 Jeremy Shelton - https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/pages/pilots/midwest-thermal-drones
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  How This 25 Year Old Built a 15K Acre Spray Drone Business in 3 Seasons | The DroneOn Show Ep 48 15.05.2026 56min

  In episode 48 of the DroneOn Show episode, Mike sits down with 25-year-old Caden Wilburn of C&J Spray Drones in Laddonia, Missouri. Caden shares how he launched his drone spraying operation to carve out his own space on the family farm (1200 crop acres + 2400 hogs) and has now covered roughly 15,000 acres in just three seasons. He talks about starting with T40s, upgrading to two T50s, and seriously considering the T100, while running long, efficient passes on flat, square Missouri fields. The conversation covers fungicide as his main work, expanding into aquatic weed control on ponds and lakes, trailer setups, generator choices, family business decisions, and realistic advice for new operators on regulations, patience, and staying competitive in a fast-moving industry.
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  25 Years in Weed Science: SC Veteran Applicator on Drones & Vegetation | The DroneOn Show Ep 47 08.05.2026 59min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike talks with Johnney Staples of Nexus Solutions USA in South Carolina. Johnney shares his journey from tobacco farming and hand-weeding as a kid to earning a PhD in weed science at Auburn, then building a successful vegetation management and custom application business. He explains why he started Nexus to serve industrial turf, utilities, right-of-way, and rangeland clients that traditional ag reps often overlook. The conversation covers his early drone experiments (including wild stories with the first DJI models), why XAG became his go-to platform, post-fire and habitat work, herbicide mode of action, calibration lessons, and the realities of government contracts and regulations. Honest, experienced wisdom from a true veteran applicator on building a drone + spray service that lasts.
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  From Four Wheelers to Drones: 25+ Years Spraying Rangeland in Oregon | The DroneOn Show Ep 46 01.05.2026 1h 2min

  In this DroneOn Show episode from the Spray Drone End User Conference, Mike sits down with Dave and Jared from Bear UAV / Branch Enterprise in Eastern Oregon. They share how they started in custom application back in 1999 after a tough year in potatoes and onions, evolving from four-wheelers and pickups with hand wands to drones in 2017. The conversation covers the realities of rangeland and noxious weed spraying, post-fire habitat restoration, government contracts, and why they prefer XAG (Zagg) platforms for their spraying quality despite occasional software/connectivity quirks. They discuss the massive difference between Eastern and Western Oregon, the challenges of heavy-lift regulations, supporting older drones, and why relationships and doing the job right matter more than hype in the drone industry. Honest talk from experienced custom applicators on regulations, farmer perceptions, and the future of drones in tough Western terrain.
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  Midwest Drone Applications: 66K Acres, Team Management & Hard Lessons | DroneOn Show Ep 45 24.04.2026 57min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike talks with Josh from Kansas, a former Army veteran who built Midwest Drone Applications into a serious operation covering 66,000 acres in one season with a team of contractors. Josh shares how he got started through drone deer recovery, his wild first T40 season (self-taught in thigh-high grass), the rapid growth from one drone to a fleet, and the infamous J100 rollout that led to multiple in-flight failures. He dives into managing large teams, the power of the DJI ecosystem and Starlink for real-time oversight, why he sticks with T50s and is adding T100s, nighttime spraying, and the military-style discipline his team brings to the job. A raw, honest conversation about scaling fast, learning the hard way, treating customers right, and the future of big-acre drone work in the Midwest.
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  From FFA Project to Multi-Crew Operation: Hayden’s Spray Drone Journey at 20 | DroneOn Show Ep 44 17.04.2026 1h 2min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike sits down with 20-year-old Hayden Crum from Midwest Air in southern Ohio. Hayden shares how he started his spray drone business as a freshman in high school through an FFA project, grew it alongside his family’s retail chemical and seed business, and is now in his sixth season of applications. At just 20, he’s already running multiple crews, selling DJI, XAG, and Talos drones, and expanding into specialty work like power line right-of-way spraying and invasive species control in forests. The conversation covers real talk on drought challenges, nighttime spraying, T60X reliability, the T100’s strengths and limitations, growing pains with hiring, and why diversifying beyond row crops is key. Hayden also explains his customer-obsessed approach to matching the right drone to each operator and why building strong relationships matters more than ever in a competitive space.
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  Vidalia Onion Farmer Goes All-In on T100 Spray Drones | The DroneOn Show Episode 43 10.04.2026 48min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike and Jay visits McLain Farms in Georgia with Vidalia onion grower Brett McLain. Brett shares what it really takes to grow sweet Vidalia onions — from hand-planting and hand-harvesting to the narrow weather windows and disease pressure that can wipe out an entire crop. He explains why he made the jump to the T100 spray drone after years of watching the technology, how it lets him cover his nearly 500-acre operation in a single day (versus 3 days with the ground rig), and the impressive canopy penetration he’s getting at 4 GPA. The conversation covers real-world drone performance in specialty crops, the learning curve with the heavy-lift T100, organic vs conventional onions, power line and race-car speed analogies, and why speed and efficiency are everything when your harvest window is only 6–7 weeks. A raw, honest look at farming one of America’s most iconic specialty crops with modern spray drone tech.
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  24-Year-Old Builds Full Drone Business in Alabama | The DroneOn Show Episode 42 03.04.2026 57min

  Episode 42 of the DroneOn Show, Mike talks with Trayton from Taft Drone Services in central Alabama. At just 24 years old and only two years out of Mississippi State (where he studied agriculture science), Trayton shares how he funded his first thermal drone (Mavic 3T) with money originally saved for an engagement ring. He started with deer surveys and recoveries, then transitioned into spray drones, beginning with a T-10 before upgrading to a T-40 and now running T-50s. Trayton covers the realities of operating in Alabama: small fields (15-20 acres average), tall pines, swamps, kudzu control, site prep for forestry replanting, aquatic weed management, and prescribed burning. He discusses charging strategies (per acre vs. per job), word-of-mouth growth, the grind of long days and overnight surveys, and how thermal work helps land spray jobs. A relatable, real look at building a young dual-purpose drone business in the South.
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  Aussie Drone Dealer: XAG Tech, Rules & USA vs Australia | The DroneOn Show Episode 41 27.03.2026 1h 4min

  In this DroneOn Show episode, Mike and the crew sit down with Jamin Fleming from Oztech Drones in Australia. Jamin shares his journey in the spray drone space: starting with the classic DJI MG-1 in 2017–2018 (when most drones were still "dodgy"), becoming one of Australia's main XAG dealers, and navigating the unique Australian market—strict regulations, metric-only mindset (liters, not gallons!), vast remote properties, and the need for rugged, reliable gear. They geek out on XAG tech advantages, compare it to DJI in real-world use, and swap stories on everything from late-night China business dinners to cultural differences. The conversation veers into fun tangents like Bass Pro Shops, American vs. Australian perceptions, and why Aussies think the U.S. is wild. A great international perspective on spray drone life, dealer insights, and global ag drone trends.
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  Agronomist Switches from Hylio to DJI: 7,500 Acres & Proven Results | The DroneOn Show Ep 40 06.03.2026 58min

  In episode 40 of the DroneOn Show, Mike sits down with Aaron Clark, an agronomist and ag retail pro with 10+ years selling seed, chemical, and fertilizer in Eastern Ohio. Aaron shares why he jumped into spray drones—to solve chronic timing issues with airplanes and helicopters that left his customers hanging during critical fungicide windows. He details the painful transition from two unreliable Hylio 130s (crashes, software headaches, slow parts) to DJI T-50s, spraying 7,500 acres last season and finally hitting consistent productivity. They dive into real talk on building farmer trust, the grind of relationship-based sales, disease pressure (tar spot, vomit toxin), tight budgets, and why "it depends" is the agronomist’s favorite phrase. Aaron also drops wisdom for new operators: be willing to travel, grind hard, and understand that equipment is only half the battle—reliability and relationships win acres.