How do you turn math into magic, plotting points in the air to paint a picture in the sky? By using drones, of course! Or, more accurately, hundreds or even thousands of synchronized drones programmed to perform a dazzling, stellar storyboard.

Like a marching band creating images on a field, drones can provide incredible moving pictures in the sky. Unlike fireworks, drones can also spell out words and messages. Using light, color and mathematical know-how, drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) put on a spectacular sky show that is hard to beat!

At Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebration in early June, 400 drones put on a light show in the sky. The drones created images including the British flag, a stamp, a horse, a cup of tea and a corgi—the queen’s beloved dog. The drone show was produced by SKYMAGIC, and took about six months to put together. 

From ideas and pencil sketches, to software that told each drone where to go, the light show was a technological marvel. The lights over Buckingham Palace could be seen all over London. Because of the secrecy around the celebration, the show was performed there for the first time on the big night—all the practices took place elsewhere.

The drone light display at the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremonies last July was a highlight of the Games. The show used 1,824 Intel drones equipped with four LEDs and weighing less than a pound each. The drones formed geometric shapes, the emblem for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a 3-dimensional image of the Earth.

Drones played a part during the Super Bowl halftime shows in 2017 and 2019 and put on multiple light shows over Los Angeles this year during pre-game Super Bowl weekend festivities. Some cities in drought-plagued California and Colorado planned drone light shows instead of fireworks for this Fourth of July this year.

As more companies are able to offer drone shows and more affordable technology becomes available, the cost of these shows may decrease. Currently, a drone show can cost from $25,000 up to $200,000 or more. 

A typical drone show, like a fireworks display, may last about 15 minutes. But unlike the fireworks, a drone light show can run multiple times on any given evening. The drones can be used again in other shows at other times, too. 

Bright Lights, Lightweight Drones!

One of the reasons drone shows are expensive is because they use hundreds or even thousands of synchronized drones. Drones used in light shows are equipped with very bright LEDs that can turn on and off and change color.

The drones used for light shows are usually quadcopters, or drones with four rotors, like the one seen below. These specialized drones are very lightweight because they do not carry cameras or other equipment. The light weight makes them very agile, so they can maneuver easily to create their cool designs.

These drones are all about the bright lights, baby! They usually carry just an LED, a battery and GPS sensors. 

A light show is designed using a 3D animation program that plots out where each drone needs to be to create the desired shapes, patterns or words. Then computer software tells each drone where to go in the sky, so only one or two pilots are usually needed to run the show. 

Although a drone light show may only last for minutes, it can take several months for the creators to design, choreograph and program the show to make it spectacular from every angle.

Pros & Cons of Drones vs. Fireworks

PROS:

• Will not cause wildfires like fireworks can

• No loud noises that scare pets 

• Can be programmed to form words and moving pictures

• Can be reused and can run multiple shows in one evening

CONS:

• Drone light shows are very expensive

• Limited companies that produce drone light shows

Drones Fly into Action, Now and in the Future

These flying robots are used for many tasks above and beyond synchronized light shows. Drones can be used to monitor climate change, take part in search and rescue, deliver goods, and film and photograph remote locations that might otherwise be inaccessible. 

But the use of drones can be very controversial, too, as they are employed for reconnaissance, surveillance and even attacks by the military.

According to some tech enthusiasts, your packages and pizzas may arrive on your doorstep via drone in the near future. In June, Amazon announced plans to start doing Prime Air drone deliveries in Lockeford, California. Some time later this year, packages will be delivered by drone to customers in this town south of Sacramento, and the company will then make tweaks to the delivery system.

Beyond food and packages, drones can by used to help the environment. Images taken by drone can help scientists monitor changes to the landscape caused by natural disasters and climate change. Right here in Arizona, Green Drone AZ is helping to survey land in the Tonto National Forest to aid in the conservation of desert riparian areas. The project helps scientists learn about invasive plants and wildfire risks in our region. Find out more about Green Drone AZ on page 15 in this issue.