Pilots of the Caribbean Podcast

Coming Home With a Vision: The Story of GuyDrones with Ershad Mahamed

Ershad Mahamad walked away from a 20-year career maintaining aircraft for Caribbean Airlines and Bombardier — and came home to Guyana to build the country's first commercial drone company. What followed was five years of regulatory groundwork, ExxonMobil certifications, 12-subject training programmes, and a 31-person operation covering agriculture, oil and gas, mining, and now drone delivery. In this episode, Ershad breaks down what it actually took to get Guy Drones certified by the GCAA, the EPA, and a major oil major — all at once — and why he believes drone pilots deserve the same professional recognition as manned aircraft pilots. He also shares the company's expansion into underwater ROVs, the Unitree robot dog, and an incoming drone delivery service built around Guyana's unique geography. Tune in to discover what building a world-class drone operation in the Caribbean really looks like — from rice fields to oil rigs. Get the Drone Pilot Checklist [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/checklist-2/]! The Pilots of the Caribbean Podcast recommends the Pilot Institute - Part 107 Made Easy course [https://learn.pilotinstitute.com/a/aff_5x275ft0/external?affcode=245841_6szcosjj] for anyone looking to prepare to sit the part 107 exam and become a licensed commercial drone operator. Website: https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/] Email: pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com [pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com] All our links: https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod [https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod] * Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links maybe affiliate links, which may generate a sales commission.*

How Speedbird Aero Is Scaling Drone Delivery Across 14 Nations

Manoel Coelho has built what most drone founders only talk about: a commercially operating delivery network flying in 14 countries, powered by aircraft his company manufactures and never sells. As CEO of Speedbird Aero — Latin America's first BVLOS-certified drone operator — Manoel walks Alan through how a telemedicine startup in Arizona became the company powering the Royal Mail's first permanent UK drone service and the world's longest-running commercial food drone delivery program. We get into the full DLV aircraft lineup, the wet-lease business model, ship-to-shore cargo delivery in Singapore and Brazil, and what Part 108 could mean for drone delivery companies finally entering the US at scale. For any operator thinking about island logistics, BVLOS operations, or what commercial drone delivery actually looks like in practice — this one is essential listening. Tune in to discover how the most advanced drone delivery network in Latin America was built in a country with the world's highest interest rates. Get the Drone Pilot Checklist [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/checklist-2/]! The Pilots of the Caribbean Podcast recommends the Pilot Institute - Part 107 Made Easy course [https://learn.pilotinstitute.com/a/aff_5x275ft0/external?affcode=245841_6szcosjj] for anyone looking to prepare to sit the part 107 exam and become a licensed commercial drone operator. Website: https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/] Email: pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com [pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com] All our links: https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod [https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod] * Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links maybe affiliate links, which may generate a sales commission.*

Running the World's Largest Energy Drone & Robotics Network | Sean Guerre, EDRC

Discover how one global network is quietly shaping the future of drones, robotics, and AI across the entire energy industry — and why the Caribbean is more connected to this movement than you might think. Sean Guerre, Executive Director of the Energy Drone and Robotics Coalition (EDRC), sits down with Alan to trace the organisation's journey from a 150-person event to a global network of over 20,000 professionals and 200+ energy and utility companies. Sean unpacks what's happening right now in autonomous operations, the regulatory shifts that will affect every drone operator, and why the next decade looks very different from the last. Key topics covered: * How the EDRC grew from a small meetup to the world's premier industrial drone and robotics network * The current state of autonomous operations in oil, gas, and energy — including Level 4 automation in the field today * What Caribbean professionals can expect at the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit (June 22–24, Houston) * Key regulatory developments — NDAA/FCC supply chain rules and FAA Part 108 — and what they mean for operators * How humanoids, drone-in-a-box systems, and physical AI are changing energy operations right now Guest: Sean Guerre, Executive Director, Energy Drone and Robotics Coalition EDRC Website: edrcoalition.com [https://edrcoalition.com] Get the Drone Pilot Checklist [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/checklist-2/]! The Pilots of the Caribbean Podcast recommends the Pilot Institute - Part 107 Made Easy course [https://learn.pilotinstitute.com/a/aff_5x275ft0/external?affcode=245841_6szcosjj] for anyone looking to prepare to sit the part 107 exam and become a licensed commercial drone operator. Website: https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/] Email: pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com [pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com] All our links: https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod [https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod] * Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links maybe affiliate links, which may generate a sales commission.*

90% Less Water, 50% Less Chemicals: The Science Behind ABZ Innovation's Spray Drones

From basement beginnings in Hungary to drones flying in 25 countries — this week's episode is for anyone who believes that the future of agriculture and infrastructure is aerial, and that Europe has a seat at the table. Alan sits down with Károly Ludvigh, CEO and co-founder of ABZ Innovation, a Hungarian company that got fed up with poor-performing spray drones and simply decided to build their own. What started as a precision agriculture solution has grown into a full product ecosystem — from heavy-duty spraying drones to building-cleaning machines that can reach 200 feet without scaffolding. Károly breaks down the technology, the business model, and the regulatory battles that shaped ABZ Innovation's journey from Budapest to the global stage. Key topics covered: * Controlled Droplet Application (CDA): how ABZ Innovation achieves 90% water savings and 50% chemical reduction compared to traditional spraying * The C-Series cleaning drone — why a building-cleaning drone is outperforming expectations and replacing scaffolding worldwide * The M-Series open platform — a customisable drone ecosystem for universities, researchers, and businesses with unique payload needs * Right to Repair philosophy and why it matters for operators  * Navigating global drone regulations  Guest: Károly Ludvigh — CEO & Co-Founder, ABZ Innovation Website: ABZinnovation.eu [https://ABZinnovation.eu]  |  YouTube: ABZ Innovation [https://www.youtube.com/@abzinnovation]  |  Instagram: @ABZdroneinnovation [https://www.instagram.com/abzinnovation/] | LinkedIn: ABZ Innovation [https://hu.linkedin.com/company/abz-innovation] | TikTok: @ABZInnovation [https://www.tiktok.com/@abz_innovation] | Facebook: ABZ Innovation [https://www.facebook.com/abzinnovation] Get the Drone Pilot Checklist [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/checklist-2/]! The Pilots of the Caribbean Podcast recommends the Pilot Institute - Part 107 Made Easy course [https://learn.pilotinstitute.com/a/aff_5x275ft0/external?affcode=245841_6szcosjj] for anyone looking to prepare to sit the part 107 exam and become a licensed commercial drone operator. Website: https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/] Email: pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com [pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com] All our links: https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod [https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod] * Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links maybe affiliate links, which may generate a sales commission.*

Building a Drone Business with James Tobon of Drone Training School USA

Turn a toy into a career — James Tobon of Drone Training School USA breaks down exactly how that transformation happens. James Tobon started with a Christmas gift drone and turned it into one of the most recognised drone training operations in the United States. In this episode, he shares how he built Drone Training School USA from scratch, why professional certification matters more than ever, and how his school is now training government entities and private clients across the Caribbean and Latin America. Key topics covered: * Why the Part 107 drone pilot licence is non-negotiable for professional work — and how James earned his before there was a clear path to do so * How Drone Training School USA tailors training for government agencies, public safety departments, and private operators across multiple platforms * Why construction — not real estate — is currently the most profitable sector for drone pilots * The growing impact of advanced air mobility and drone delivery regulations (Part 108) on the everyday commercial pilot * The personal growth philosophy James credits as the real foundation of his business success Contact James:  Website: dronetrainingus.com [https://dronetrainingus.com] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dronetraining_school/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdZHrV-f-XyAh6Ze2c6L15A] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Dronetrainingschoolus] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-tobon-dts] Visit pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com for show notes, links, and more episodes.   Get the Drone Pilot Checklist [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/checklist-2/]! The Pilots of the Caribbean Podcast recommends the Pilot Institute - Part 107 Made Easy course [https://learn.pilotinstitute.com/a/aff_5x275ft0/external?affcode=245841_6szcosjj] for anyone looking to prepare to sit the part 107 exam and become a licensed commercial drone operator. Website: https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com [https://pilotsofthecaribbeanpod.com/] Email: pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com [pilotsofthecaribbeanpod@gmail.com] All our links: https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod [https://linktr.ee/pilotsofthecaribbeanpod] * Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links maybe affiliate links, which may generate a sales commission.*