Even as the news settles, we continue to dissect the ways that the updated FCC’s Covered List will affect individual sectors of the industry.

As shown in the Pilot Institute’s recent survey about reactions to a potential DJI ban, the construction sector made up a large percentage of the response rate, establishing that this decision will affect their everyday operations in the future.

To get a first-hand perspective on how this news is affecting construction operations, Commercial UAV News spoke with Ben Stocker, senior construction technologist at Skender.

While day-to-day operations have not yet been greatly affected with the existing technology still allowed and in use, the company is being proactive about maintenance of their DJI fleet while they still can.

“In anticipation of the ruling, I ordered three backup DJI Matrice 4E drones and spare batteries for our current fleet of M3Es and M4Es. I know [the FCC’s decision] technically didn't stop sales of already released drones, but they're still getting harder to procure. With how important drones are to our operation, I don't want to take any chances of being without the tools we need as we grow,” said Stocker.

Others in the construction world worry about finding an alternative that will fit their project’s needs when the current technology phases out. To some, finding a new drone that is in their price range and can perform the tasks necessary to complete the job is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

According to the survey, 35 percent of construction industry respondents said they evaluated or began transitioning to non-DJI platforms but couldn't find any model that fit their needs. Only eight percent said they already use non-DJI platforms.

“I've only heard of people using non-DJI in construction when that is their only option because they are on a government job or a similar restriction.  A few years down the road, people will reduce their drone usage or just continue to use older hardware as time goes on. For small contractors, they might stop using drones completely,” explained Stocker when asked about the long-term effects of this ruling on the industry.

A big price tag isn’t the only thing to blame when it comes to people being reluctant to find drone alternatives. Other factors such as lower performance, unreliable or not well tested hardware, lack of features, and limited software capabilities are all reasons behind construction companies not diving straight into a new drone package.

Drone data has become an invaluable asset to the world of construction. Not only does it give an aerial view of a site through its stages of life, but it can also provide other essential data such as digital twins, do stockpile analysis, assess site conditions before breaking ground and more. Drones have become essential on construction sites because they eliminate dangerous tasks that would otherwise put workers at risk. They can inspect hard-to-reach areas of infrastructure without requiring workers to climb scaffolding or work at dangerous heights.

The construction sector's reliance on drone technology has grown from convenience to necessity, making the FCC's broad addition to its Covered List a pivotal moment for the industry. While the intent behind the regulation is clear, the reality on job sites tells a different story: contractors are stockpiling equipment, smaller operators are considering abandoning drones entirely, and viable alternatives aren’t even available yet.

The industry isn't resisting change, but it needs options that can match the performance, affordability, and reliability that construction projects demand. The coming months and years will reveal whether American manufacturers can rise to meet this need, or whether the construction industry will be forced to operate with one hand tied behind its back.