Some may say it’s a bird or a plane, but senior AJ McNeil can proudly claim it’s his drone.

As an employee of Peoples Company, a real estate company and land brokerage, McNeil flies a quadricopter with a camera over various properties and areas of land.

“[The farmers] absolutely love me coming out there and flying over the farm,” McNeil said.

After leaving an impression on the company after a career fair, McNeil approached the company about their potential need for a drone, but it turned out they had already been investigating the feasibility of using one.

Up to that point, Peoples Company used planes to take aerial shots of the properties and had been considering using a drone since last spring. They allowed McNeil to choose the model and begin working as an intern almost immediately after classes were finished in May.

“When you have to fly over with an airplane, you have to get a pilot and a plane,” said Steve Bruere, president of Peoples Company. “It’s a lot more efficient to use the drone technology to go out and fly over it.”

Not only does the drone have the power to fly 500 meters above ground and take photos, but is able to capture videos as well. The company posts the videos online to appeal to potential buyers and to view trails, roads and lakes. It can even see specifics such as density of the timber and the types of trees, causing the experience to be interactive. On the agricultural side, it allows farmers to view fence lines, waterways, gullies, erosion and crop progression.

“There’s definitely an art to flying it,” Bruere said. “You got to [decide] at what elevation is best to look at the property, what angles you want to shoot, what all you want to capture. Not only that, but you want to get the video edited and uploaded… it’s been a little bit of a learning curve.”

Not only did McNeil and Peoples Company learn more about drones, but McNeil learned video editing and communication skills with agriculture professionals.

Traveling all over Iowa, McNeil has encountered many people who are intrigued by his work. On one occasion while on the job, McNeil was circling a farm to find the best place to set up when he realized he was being followed by a truck. Turns out it was only a local, wondering if he was lost.

“All he wanted to do was talk about the drone,” McNeil said. “He was just wondering what I was doing and he loved the drone.”

When classes resumed this fall, McNeil’s work habits did not change. He still finds times on weekends and reserves Tuesdays to fly for the company. However, his work does not affect his support for ISU football or his studies. McNeil values his full course load, understanding that school comes first.

“I always put academics first, even before flying the drone because it’s my last year, my senior year and I want to finish out strong,” McNeil said. “Since it’s my senior year, I want to have fun.”

However, the weather also has an impact on McNeil’s work schedule.

“If the wind speeds are too high, the gimbal that is connected to the drone will start to shake a little bit which will disrupt the video,” McNeil said. “Obviously if it’s raining… and once it gets dark you can’t do it.”

Growing up on a farm, McNeil has always had a passion for agriculture and hopes to pursue it, however the drone has allowed him to break into an industry that is continuing to evolve.

“I feel like there is huge potential in agriculture for [drones] to be used,” McNeil said. “I feel like there does need to be some regulations.”

Privacy is an ongoing issue with the drone industry. Currently there are no regulations, classes or permits needed to purchase a drone, which is something McNeil hopes changes in the future.

McNeil’s enthusiasm is also displayed in his work ethic.

“He’s a farm kid from Dewitt, so he’s just a hard worker and willing to get his hands dirty,” Bruere said. “He took this drone thing on… he has really handled everything himself without much direction from us. He’s been a good guy to have in the office.”