Midwest Drone Applications: 66K Acres, Team Management & Hard Lessons | DroneOn Show Ep 45

31 Year Old Going All-In on Spray Drones – Complete Newbie Story

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.

From Cattle Farmer to Running a Spray Drone Business in the Mountains | The DroneOn Show Ep 50

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.

Is Drone Deer Recovery Legal in Illinois? Full Court Case Breakdown | The DroneOn Show Ep 49

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. Fanning Fanning Law Office - Hardin, IL (618) 576-2284 [tel:6185762284] Jeremy Shelton - https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/pages/pilots/midwest-thermal-drones [https://www.dronedeerrecovery.com/pages/pilots/midwest-thermal-drones]

How This 25 Year Old Built a 15K Acre Spray Drone Business in 3 Seasons | The DroneOn Show Ep 48

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.

25 Years in Weed Science: SC Veteran Applicator on Drones & Vegetation | The DroneOn Show Ep 47

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.