Drone News Roundup: UAV Coach Launches New Aerial Photo & Video Course, Ruko Unveils U11 Mini Drone, and More!

This week we’re covering the launch of our new course, Aerial Photo & Video for Drone Pilots.

We’re also covering the new Ruko U11 Mini, a beautiful drone shot of a humpback whale, drones releasing one million clams into a Florida river to cleanse it, and a new report detailing a sharp drop in drone funding—and why we shouldn’t panic.

Now let’s get to those links!

Aerial Photo & Video for Drone Pilots

We just launched our brand-new online course, Aerial Photo & Video for Drone Pilots, a course designed to help you capture pro-level drone shots without all the guesswork. In the course we cover the exact steps you need to follow to capture and edit stunning aerial shots—without a high-end drone or expensive software.

The training walks you step-by-step through every stage, from flight to final edit, including:

• How to overcome common challenges like flat, blurry, or overexposed drone shots.
• How to master lighting, angles, and movement for pro-level results.
• How to edit your footage using free or affordable software-no costly programs required.

This isn’t just a beginner course. We also get into advanced techniques for HDR, panoramas, night shots, and hyperlapse, as well as storyboarding, color grading, and adding music or graphics to make great, professional drone videos.

Ready to start your aerial photo & video journey? We’re offering the course right now at a reduced rate of $129—that’s $50 less than the usual price of $179.

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New Ruko U11 Mini Is Small but Packs a Big Punch

The new Ruko U11 Mini is shaking up the entry-level drone market with impressive features-like 4K video, 8K stills, a 3-axis gimbal, up to 70 minutes of flight time (or 96 with three batteries), and a transmission range of 1.8 miles (3km). Like the drones in DJI’s Mini series, the U11 Mini weighs less than 250 grams, so you don’t have to register it with the FAA. But despite its impressive specs it costs less than many of the DJI Mini drones—while the DJI Mini 4 Pro starts at $759, the Ruko U11 Mini is just $249.99. One thing to note is that the U11 Mini is made in China, so that low price could go up before too long due to the tariffs.

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Beautiful Humpback Whale Drone Photo

Credit: Joanna Steidle

Drone art photographer Joanna Steidle recently captured this beautiful shot of a humpback whale off the coast of the Hamptons, in New York. Steidle is the owner of Hamptons Drone Art, through which she creates unique, beautiful compositions featuring majestic creatures like this whale. She also recently won a Top 10 Photo Award in the DJI Skypixel 10th Annual Photo Contest for a photo called “Another World.” Throughout her work, Steidle emphasizes the importance of drone pilots operating responsibly when capturing wildlife, and avoiding harassing animals at all costs. Follow the link below to see the LinkedIn post where she shared the photo, and scroll through her other posts to see more of her incredible work.

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Drones Release 1 Million Baby Clams to Help Cleanse Florida River

How cool is this? In an innovative environmental effort, drones recently dropped one million baby clams into Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. The project aims to restore the river’s health, as clams naturally filter water and remove excess nutrients, combating pollution and algae blooms to help protect Florida’s vital waterways. Using drones for this kind of effort allows for efficient, targeted dispersal over hard-to-reach areas, showcasing the way drones can be harnessed for large-scale ecological restoration.

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Drone Industry Insights Report Shows Sharp Funding Decline—But Cautions Against Panic

Credit: Drone Industry Insights

A new report from Drone Industry Insights (DII) reveals a dramatic downturn in commercial drone funding, with investments dropping from $3.04 billion in 2022 to $820 million in 2024—a 73% drop over two years. Despite the drop in funding, there’s no need to panic. The drone industry is here to stay. Facing high interest rates, regulatory hurdles, and a tough funding climate, the drone industry is now in a “phase of realignment,” according to DII. Realignment is normal, and signals a move into a more mature phase for the industry, similar to what other tech sectors have experienced after periods of rapid growth and hype. Long term, the drone market is projected to continue growing long-term, with the global drone industry expected to reach $57.8 billion by 2030.

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