Who is Mart Rae?
Mart Rae is an Estonian geodesist and entrepreneur known for his contributions to the field of geodesy and unmanned aviation. He runs Rae Geodesy OÜ, a company providing geodetic services, including surveying with drones. In addition, Mart is an active member of the Defence League and a member of several professional organisations. His career includes everything from geodetic surveys to presentations at international conferences. He has been a pioneer in combining geodesy and drones in Estonia, carrying out projects that advance both the technology and the field.
The beginning of the droning industry: practical need and curiosity
Mard’s interest in drones came from a practical need. “I’m lazy by nature, and I was looking for ways to do surveying faster and more efficiently than the conventional methods of the time,” he said. His first exposure to drones was at the Intergeo trade fair in Germany, where drones such as Mavinci and Ebee caught his eye. However, it wasn’t until 2016 that he bought a serious tool, the DJI Phantom 4. From then on, drones became an important part of Mard’s daily work.
First drone and lessons learned
The DJI Phantom 4 turned out to be Mard’s first serious tool. “The learning process was trial and error, as the salesman offered no services other than sales,” he recalled. Nonetheless, the drone recouped its purchase price in just a few days, proving that drones are not just toys, but effective tools. Mard’s experience with this drone was the starting point for his expanding drone fleet and skills development.
Work and hobbies: drone photography and FPV flying
Although Mart doesn’t fly drones just for fun, he enjoys using FPV drones outside of work. For work, he mainly focuses on taking pictures for photogrammetric work. “At the end of a good day at work, I’ve shot a full 2x256GB memory card – and a bit for a third,” he said, describing his daily workload.
Most memorable drone flights
Mard’s work has taken him to exciting places. One of the most memorable projects was on the island of Vaindloo, where he had to fly a drone to work. Also special have been the flights on Osmus Island and Naissa Island. The most challenging experience, however, was the large-scale surveying of high-voltage lines from Ahtme to Tartu. This work involved developing procedures and workflows from scratch, as no drone project of this scale had been done in Estonia before.
Favourite destinations and challenges
Mard’s favourite areas for flying drones are the Narva River and the shores of Lake Peipsi. Although the area is challenging, it’s overcoming the difficulties that makes it even more rewarding. “Flying in such places is always a challenge, but good planning and experience will help you achieve the best results,” he said. The challenges have included strong winds, jamming GNSS signals and other technical difficulties, but all of these experiences have helped hone Mard’s skills.
Modern drone fleet and features of your favourite drone
Mard’s fleet of drones is impressive, ranging from DJI Mini drones to the DJI Matrice 300. His personal favourite is the DJI M300, which is reliable and adaptable to different sensors. “The M300’s flexibility to use camera, lidar and other sensors makes it ideal for complex tasks,” he explained.
Advice for the beginner drone pilot
Mart stresses that beginners should familiarise themselves with drone laws and start flying in safe areas. “For a good shot, you don’t need to fly higher than the rules allow,” he warned. He also recommends putting a lot of emphasis on preparation and planning, as the best results come from patience and commitment. He also encourages learning from the experience of others and attending training courses to avoid common mistakes made by beginners.
Drones as a tool and a source of inspiration
Mart Rae sees drones as powerful tools that give you the opportunity to look at the world from a new angle. “A drone is not just a technology – it is a way to create and discover something new,” he said.
His story is an inspiration for anyone who wants to combine the practicality and creativity of technology.
(Photos from private collection)