[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1555087255981{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;background-color: #f7f7f7 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”What goes into our decision making process?” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1555087279550{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]There are several factors that we consider prior to launching one of our drone light shows. These factors fall within three main categories that we will discuss in more detail below. Overall, we operate under the crew resource management parameters of our commercial operations waiver. It takes everyone on our team to agree to launch, and only one voiced concerned to abort or delay a launch until their concern is mitigated. Unlike many other aerial performers, we have a multitude of key parameters from a safety standpoint that we cannot manually manipulate, override, or disregard when launching a multi-unmanned performance. If we consider a 100-drone light show in its simplest form, we have the following to verify and confirm prior to launch;
We must verify 200 compasses are in alignment, 400 motors are spinning, 100 GPS/RTK satellite locks, 100 geo-fence compliance approvals, airspace is clear, airspace is approved, and finally that weather does not exceed our maximums to operate. The majority of this is handled through software mitigation and telemetry feedback, however just like any other pilot in command, we visually verify compliance as well. Now let’s look at all of these factors more specifically.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1909″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” title=”Pre-Show Launch Grid”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Safety Mitigation” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1555086954907{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1555276969063{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]Safety is always paramount in our pre-launch briefings and risk analysis planning. Key things we must look at beyond environmental and technological factors is the overall “Big Picture” of the event. Is the airspace clear and approved by the FAA, Air Boss, or Tower? Is everyone in agreement to launch or is there any concerns we must still mitigate? Will any of the environmental factors change during our flight time? Are there any extenuating circumstances we must mitigate prior to launch, such as pyrotechnics, airspace deconfliction, etc? Are we making the right decision based on facts versus personal or outside influence to launch the show?
What about regulations? Are we operating near large crowds? Have our safety setbacks been met? Are we operating inside of a TFR (Temporary Flight Restrictions) or Aerobatic Box? Operating in a TFR or Aerobatic Box presents us with a whole new set of rules and guidelines we must follow beyond the Part 107 Commercial Operation regulations we commonly work with.
All of these questions, (and many more) come into play prior to launching every performance[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1912″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Environmental Factors” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1555086969492{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1555276991000{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]Environmental factors cover a few different aspects that many do not think about. Weather is an obvious factor we must always monitor closely throughout the process. Key factors are usually related to our maximum flyable sustained wind speed of 19 mph and a gust threshold of no greater than 10 mph over any sustained windspeed, but never exceeding a maximum of 19 mph. In addition, this is not based on ground wind speeds, but calculated based on what the winds and gust aloft will be at 200 feet above our heads. Another factor would be moisture, whether it is related to a sudden rain/thunderstorm or dew gathering on the ground. If there is significant dew gathering while our drones are prepped for a show, that same dew gathers on the drones themselves. Electronics and water typically don’t mix well. We do everything we can to mitigate these factors, however sometimes mother nature wins the battle. What about density altitude? The hotter it is and the higher the elevation of our show platform both require a different type of planning process to maintain adequate lift for performance. Just like any other aircraft, we have our limitations at some point.
Another environmental factor would be the airspace around us. How many flocks of birds do you see on a regular basis? What about the infamous bats at night? Launching several drones into a flock of birds, or swarm of bats really does not provide a safe operating environment. If we know there is an issue at our launch site this can be mitigate throughout the day and evening utilizing non-lethal measures to better secure the airspace prior to a show. Throughout the entire show we must[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1910″ alignment=”center” title=”Rapid Rain Protection”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Technology Compliance” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1555086992902{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1555277017118{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]Technology is what drives our shows and provides several safety elements into our performances. Technology is rapidly changing in the UAS industry which requires constant and regular updates of many of our systems. Let’s dive a little deeper into the fundamentals of a show production from a technology standpoint. Let’s imagine you run a cell phone business and you have a big client coming in for 15 minutes on one particular day. You only have one chance to show off your 100 cell phones, with great cell service, great GPS location and with all the apps working at the exact same time. That is essentially what we do on a regular basis in the drone light show industry.
On our end, we are looking at (in a 100 drone show as an example) 200 compasses with magnetic compliance (2 for each drone), 400 motors all spinning at idle RPM speeds, 100 RTK fixes (real time kinetics GPS correction accuracy), 100 flight paths all lining up with current telemetry levels of vertical and horizontal axis in relationship to our pre-defined geo-fenced safety box. What is our geo-fence box you may ask? That is the imaginary electronic box in the sky that keeps all of our drones in a confined space for safe operation. An example of this box would be a drone loses a motor and starts drifting out of the box during decent. If it drifts too far and exceeds the outer safety box limit the software will kill the motors dropping the drone immediately to prevent further travel outside our pre-defined perimeter thereby keeping it safely away from spectators.
Any of these factors may delay or scrub a performance as all of them directly relate to overall safe execution of a performance. What many are unaware of is the outside factors that may influence some of these, many are outside of our control. Solar flares can affect magnetic headings or GPS signal, over-saturation of a frequency band may limit our communications systems, or even government testing may block our GPS systems. Obviously, there are several control points we establish to work around these daily occurrences through pre-planning, risk management and analysis. However, sometimes technology just doesn’t want to play along with the operator regardless of what you do to mitigate the issues. Typically, technology related issues do not cancel a performance, however it can delay our start time as we resolve any issues found during the preflight and prelaunch sequence. These issues do present further timing coordination when working during tight performance schedules or within a TFR based show production. As technology advances mitigation of these issues becomes quicker and more efficient, providing the on time show production possible.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1911″ alignment=”center” title=”Preflight Inspection”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=”3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
So what does this look like in the bigger scheme of things? Since 2017 when we started our drone light performances, here are the statistics of performance.
78 Public/Private Performances
6 Weather Reschedules
2 Aborted Flights due to airspace security breach
2 Technical Start Time Delays
Given all the circumstances provided of what we do to make the night light up with drones, the numbers show how often we make it all happen!
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