Public Perception of Drones is Positive Going into 2021

Both pilots and companies are navigating a thin line between security and innovation. Host Grant Guillot talks with leaders, influencers, and experts across the drone industry to guide us through the complex web of technology and policy in the United States.

 

Whether it’s agriculture, construction, energy, surveying, recreation—what have you—drones are providing fantastic opportunities for businesses and people alike. With the ability to safely and quickly gather data and access previously inaccessible locations, companies are finding that drones can be used in unique ways, elevating a business’ capabilities while boosting revenues. Simply put, the sky is the limit. However, during the pandemic, drones have performed crucial functions, including public space monitoring and guidance during lockdown and quarantine, and on the medical front lines as well.

Named by Drone Experts as the #1 drone service provider in America and the first company to secure FAA permission to fly UAS for business in North Dakota, SkySkopes is a professional service provider with a highly qualified operations and geospatial team aimed at becoming the most trusted end to end solutions provider and positively impacting the world through innovative solutions. Operating a wide variety of advanced sensors and aircraft for transmission and distribution line inspections, oil and gas applications, and many other innovative use cases that focus on adding value, SkySkopes thinks outside the box to provide clients with the best data solutions possible.

And on this episode of Drones in America, lifelong aviation enthusiast and SkySkopes CEO and Chairman, Matt Dunlevy, joins host Grant Guillot to discuss not only how the company was founded and its core business, but also regulatory restrictions, the BEYOND program—which is replacing the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP)—and the role UAS technology has played during the COVID-19 crisis.

In a coalition that included the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University and the Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS), SkySkopes tested the leveraging of drones for medical supply delivery, to sense body temperatures remotely and to spray disinfectants in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

“We were very satisfied with the results of our tests. It was clear that there’s a practical use for drones in COVID. But there is also an increase in the social acceptance of UAS because of COVID,” remarked Dunlevy. “Drones are inherently tools of social distance.”

Listen to Previous Episodes of Drones in America Right Here!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Baker Tilly
Baker Tilly Bridges Cultures and Markets to Power U.S.–China Business Growth
November 14, 2025

Baker Tilly’s U.S.–based China practice supports Chinese enterprises operating in the United States as well as U.S. companies with Chinese-heritage leadership. Team members such as Beverly Bian, Terry Dickens, and Lucy Ni work with clients ranging from early-stage ventures to major multinational organizations navigating cross-border growth. The practice distinguishes itself through its bilingual capabilities…

Read More
construction
Empowering Excellence: How Rick Ward Elevates Southwest Construction Services
November 13, 2025

In an industry where timelines tighten and jobsite complexities grow by the day, quality assurance has become one of construction’s most defining—and differentiating—disciplines. At its core, QA isn’t just about correcting mistakes; it’s about building systems and people capable of preventing them in the first place. This is especially true in specialized sectors…

Read More
training
Empowering Teams Through a Modern Training Culture
November 13, 2025

Training may be the backbone of any skilled trade, but in waterproofing—where mistakes can compromise entire structures—it becomes a defining competitive advantage. At Southwest Construction Services, the evolution of training reflects a larger industry shift: seasoned crews now rely less on formal classroom sessions and more on hyper-focused, on-site guidance tailored to the…

Read More
quality assurance
Ensuring Excellence: How Quality Assurance Shapes Every Successful Project
November 13, 2025

In an era of rising climate volatility and tighter construction tolerances, waterproofing has quietly become one of the most consequential guardians of a building’s long-term health. Too often, the industry treats it as an afterthought—something buried behind walls, beneath slabs, or under layers of finish—but the truth is that its success or failure can…

Read More