GASTON GAZETTE
Covering Gaston County NC and surrounding areas
Friday Posted Oct 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM
Updated Oct 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM
By Wade Tyler Millward wmillward@gastongazette.com
Updated Oct 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM
By Wade Tyler Millward wmillward@gastongazette.com
With his tablet computer and unmanned drone, Vincent Sica can get a bird’s eye
view on a house, a farm and power lines.
After about a year of interest in drones as a tech enthusiast, and with time on his
hands after retiring, Sica is making his drone into a money maker.
hands after retiring, Sica is making his drone into a money maker.
“People look at a drone as a toy,” he said. “But it’s a very sophisticated device.”
Sica has worked for Xerox Corp., a technology company best known for its
printers and scanners, since 1972. His retirement officially kicks in during
March, but he’s ready to get his new business, Aerial Drone Service, off the
ground.
Sica has worked for Xerox Corp., a technology company best known for its
printers and scanners, since 1972. His retirement officially kicks in during
March, but he’s ready to get his new business, Aerial Drone Service, off the
ground.
Target companies are ones that need clear aerial videos of houses and property
they're trying to sell or upgrade, he said.
His job in the 1970s was to help develop business in New York, where he’s
originally from. He managed the company’s account with General Electric before
moving on to manage clients in the Charlotte region.
originally from. He managed the company’s account with General Electric before
moving on to manage clients in the Charlotte region.
He retires as a global account director, helping and advising clients worldwide.
He’s always had an interest in the newest uses for computers. He and his wife
started their own publishing business in the early 1990s using a Mac desktop and
a laser printer.
“I love new technology,” he said. “The capabilities built into these drones is
extremely affordable, and it’s amazing what you can do.”
He’s always had an interest in the newest uses for computers. He and his wife
started their own publishing business in the early 1990s using a Mac desktop and
a laser printer.
“I love new technology,” he said. “The capabilities built into these drones is
extremely affordable, and it’s amazing what you can do.”
Marketing through social media and word of mouth is the next step for Aerial
Drone Service. But Sica brings with him the lessons learned from 40-plus years
with a Fortune 500 company.
Drone Service. But Sica brings with him the lessons learned from 40-plus years
with a Fortune 500 company.
“I learned the customer has got to be happy,” he said. “With a complaint, 99.9
percent of the time, there’s something you can do to make it right.”
percent of the time, there’s something you can do to make it right.”
Aerial Drone Service, incorporated in North Carolina on Oct. 18, starts almost a
year after new federal regulations started for drone owners.
year after new federal regulations started for drone owners.
Drones bought after Dec. 21 now must register online with the FAA before the
devices are flown outside. Owners who fail to do so face civil fines of up to
$27,500 and criminal fines of up to $250,000, according to the agency.
devices are flown outside. Owners who fail to do so face civil fines of up to
$27,500 and criminal fines of up to $250,000, according to the agency.
The agency defines drones as being between 250 grams (about half a pound) and
55 pounds, which leaves out most kids toys under $100. Registration, renewed
every three years, applies to homemade and tethered drones and those given as
gifts.
55 pounds, which leaves out most kids toys under $100. Registration, renewed
every three years, applies to homemade and tethered drones and those given as
gifts.
Sica said having rules helps people treat drones more seriously. He’s heard
horror stories of people flying their drones high enough so that an airplane
might hit it.
horror stories of people flying their drones high enough so that an airplane
might hit it.
In Gaston County, the only business that shows on the Federal Aviation
Administration's database with a registered drone is Earnhardt Grading Inc.,
based in Stanley.
Administration's database with a registered drone is Earnhardt Grading Inc.,
based in Stanley.
Earnhardt uses DJI-brand drones registered in May, according to federal records.
Sica said he is registered and has his FAA license. People looking to contact his
business can call 516-574-1356 or email him at vpsica2@gmail.com.
Brian Punch, CEO of Drone Media Solutions in Charlotte, said Gaston County is
an underserved market that has drone needs much like the other ring counties of
Charlotte.
an underserved market that has drone needs much like the other ring counties of
Charlotte.
Punch agreed that clients are now more likely to embrace drones now that they
better understand how they can be legally used.
better understand how they can be legally used.
And though the event was unfortunate, Hurricane Matthew has led to a greater
interest in using drones to inspect roofs, he said.
“It’s more looked upon as a legitimate business,” Punch said.
interest in using drones to inspect roofs, he said.
“It’s more looked upon as a legitimate business,” Punch said.
You can reach Wade Tyler Millward at 704-869-1819 and
Twitter.com/WadeMillward.