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CUAV Calibration Survey

Help us understand what would make your work life easier

We've been talking to UAV professionals like you to better understand the real challenges across this industry. Now we want to go deeper. This survey focuses on your actual workflows, where you lose time and money, and what tools or resources would change how you work day-to-day. There are no right or wrong answers. Your responses directly shape what we build. 
1. Which best describes your relationship to the commercial drone industry? *This question is required.
2. Are you currently a commercial drone pilot/operator, or planning to become one? *This question is required.
3. What best describes your primary role?  *This question is required.
4. Which best describes your organization? *This question is required.
5. Which best describes your role in purchasing professional services, tools, and training? *This question is required.
6. In the past two years, which of the following have you attended or followed? Select all that apply. *This question is required.
7. Have you completed one of our research surveys this year? *This question is required.
8. In a typical month, roughly how many hours do you or your team spend on each of the following? *This question is required.
Space Cell NoneUnder 22 to 56 to 10More than 10
Researching and evaluating new hardware or software
Training team members or onboarding new pilots
Building reports or ROI cases to justify drone program investment
Processing or troubleshooting data after capture
Tracking regulatory changes (FAA, national, state, local)
Please be specific.
8. What is your biggest challenge in sustaining or expanding your drone program inside your organization? *This question is required.
8. What is the most significant workflow challenge you face between data capture and final deliverable? *This question is required.
8. What is the hardest part of running your drone services business right now?  *This question is required.
8. What is the biggest challenge in your drone career right now? *This question is required.
8. What is your biggest challenge in advancing your UAS program within a government or institutional context? *This question is required.
8. Beyond Part 107, did you or your organization pay for any training, course, or credential related to your drone work in the past 12 months? *This question is required.
8. Which of the following have you used for drone training or certification in the past 5 years? Select all that apply.  *This question is required.
8. If you were going to invest in one new credential or training program in the next 12 months, which area would deliver the most value to your work? *This question is required.
8. How critical is it that new training be linked to a recognized professional certification or credential? *This question is required.
8. If you earned a specialist credential in drone data or operations skills, which type of issuer would carry the most weight with your employer or clients?  *This question is required.
8. Do you currently pay for any resource whose main job is keeping you regulation-ready? *This question is required.
8. In the past 12 months, how much have you or your organization spent on each of the following for your UAV work?  *This question is required.
Space Cell NothingUnder $500$500 to $2,500$2,500 to $10,000More than $10,000Not sure
Certifications and exams
Memberships and associations
Events and conferences
Publications and data resources
Software and tools
Training and courses

Below are five product concepts. For each, rate how much it would improve your actual work.  

1 = No Impact, 5 = Would significantly change how I work 
 

A. Regulatory Intelligence Platform 

A continuously updated, plain-language tracker that consolidates FAA rules, BVLOS developments, Remote ID requirements, and state-level restrictions into one searchable resource. Includes jurisdiction-specific alerts and practical guidance on operational impact. 

B. Technology Evaluation Hub 

Unbiased, peer-reviewed hardware and software comparisons written by working UAV professionals (not vendors). Includes side-by-side specs, real-world performance data, foreign-made drone alternative assessments, integration compatibility ratings, and interoperability guidance. 

C. UAV Program ROI and Business Case Toolkit 

Templates, calculators, and benchmarking data to help program managers and service providers demonstrate drone program value to stakeholders. Includes ROI calculators tied to specific use cases, executive-ready report templates, and anonymized industry benchmarks. 

D. Professional Network and Project Marketplace 

A curated platform connecting UAV practitioners with peer groups (by role and sector), project opportunities, and potential clients. Includes matchmaking for pilots seeking work, program managers seeking contractors, and structured peer Q&A. 

E. Professional Certification and Skills Development Program 

A recognized credential for commercial UAV professionals that goes beyond Part 107. Covers specialized tracks such as advanced data processing, sector-specific operations (construction, utilities, public safety), lidar proficiency, safety management, and business skills for drone service providers. Designed to signal expertise to clients and employers. 

8. For each concept, rate how much it would improve your actual work.  *This question is required.
Space Cell 1 (No impact)2345 (Significant)
Network and Project Marketplace
ROI and Business Case Toolkit
Regulatory Intelligence Platform
Technology Evaluation Hub
Certification and Skills Program
8. If you had $100 to allocate across these five ideas, how would you distribute it based on which would deliver the most value to your work?  *This question is required.
0 out of 100 Total
8. If you could only have ONE of these five, which would you choose?  *This question is required.
8. What would you realistically pay for your chosen product per month? *This question is required.
8. Free sources cover basic regulatory news. What would a paid regulatory resource have to do, that free sources do not, for it to be worth paying for? Select up to 2.  *This question is required.
8. Who controls the budget that would pay for a resource like this? *This question is required.
8. If products like these were offered by Commercial UAV News, would that affect your trust in them?   *This question is required.
8. What does your company primarily sell to the commercial drone market? Select all that apply.  *This question is required.
8. How large is your company? *This question is required.
8. In the past two years, where has your company exhibited or sponsored? Select all that apply. *This question is required.
8. What are your company's biggest commercial challenges in this market right now? Select up to 2.  *This question is required.
8. Where do your highest-quality leads come from today? Select up to 2. *This question is required.
8. When your company evaluates whether exhibiting and marketing in this industry was worth the investment, what counts as success? Select up to 2.  *This question is required.
8. How does your company actually measure that today? Select all that apply.  *This question is required.
8. In the past 12 months, roughly how much has your company spent on each of the following to reach this market? *This question is required.
Space Cell NothingUnder $10,000$10,000 to $50,000$50,000 to $150,000More than $150,000Not sure
Exhibiting and sponsorship at live events
Lead generation programs and purchased lists
Digital advertising
Industry media and publications
Content marketing and sponsored content

Below are five product concepts. For each, rate how much it would improve your actual work.  

1 = No Impact, 5 = Would significantly change how I work 

 

1. Year-Round Buyer Matchmaking.
Qualified introductions to buyers actively evaluating solutions like yours, matched on sector, use case, and timing, all year, not just at the show. 

2. Verified Listings and Independent Evaluation.
A trusted product directory where your platform carries verified specifications, practitioner reviews, and the option to participate in standardized, independent performance benchmarks. 

3. Technical Content and Demo Hosting.
Your filmed demos, technical deep-dives, and engineer-led sessions hosted and promoted on Commercial UAV News year-round, reaching buyers who research long before they talk to sales. 

4. Training and Certification Partnership.
Your platform and workflows integrated into industry-recognized training and credential programs, so the next generation of certified operators learns on your technology. 

5. Buyer Intent and Market Intelligence.
Subscription reporting on what this audience is researching, evaluating, and planning to buy: segment trends, technology adoption, and demand signals drawn from audience behavior. 

8. For each concept, rate how much it would improve your company's commercial results. *This question is required.
Space Cell 1 (No impact)2345 (Significant impact)
Technical Content and Demo Hosting
Buyer Intent and Market Intelligence
Year-Round Buyer Matchmaking
Verified Listings and Independent Evaluation
Training and Certification Partnership
8. If you had $100 to allocate across these five ideas, how would you distribute it based on which would deliver the most commercial value to your company? *This question is required.
0 out of 100 Total
8. If you could only have ONE of these five, which would you choose? *This question is required.
8. Independent evaluations and benchmarks can cut both ways for vendors. What would most concern you about participating? Select up to 2. *This question is required.
8. Based on your product concept selection, what would your company realistically pay per year for it?   *This question is required.
8. Who at your company controls the budget that would pay for a program like this?   *This question is required.
8. If programs like these were offered by Commercial UAV News, would that affect your interest?   *This question is required.
Please be specific.
8. We are working on building something new shaped by this research. May we reach out and keep you involved as it takes shape? That could mean a paid conversation, an early look at what we build, or simply the findings?  *This question is required.
This question requires a valid email address.
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