Drone light shows are among the safest forms of large-scale outdoor entertainment available today — when produced by a qualified, FAA-certified company operating under proper authorization. The key phrase is “when produced by a qualified company.” As with any complex operation, the safety outcome depends almost entirely on the operator’s expertise, protocols, and technology.
Open Sky Productions has delivered performances for over 5 million guests with a safety record built on rigorous pre-show preparation, redundant technical systems, strict FAA compliance, and trained on-site personnel at every event.
How Drone Shows Are Regulated for Safety
FAA Certification and Authorization
Every drone show in the United States requires coordination with the FAA. Open Sky Productions operates under FAA Part 107 waivers, which authorize simultaneous formation flight operations with multiple drones. Every pilot on our team holds an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate.
Before every show, we file Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and secure temporary flight restriction authorizations appropriate to the event location and airspace environment. No show launches without confirmed FAA coordination.
Coordination with Local Authorities
Beyond the FAA, Open Sky coordinates with local law enforcement, fire departments, and venue management before every event. This coordination ensures that ground-level safety protocols, crowd management, and emergency response resources are aligned with the drone show operation.
How Crowd Safety Is Managed
Launch Zone Separation
The most fundamental crowd safety measure is physical separation between the audience and the drone launch zone. FAA guidelines and Open Sky’s operational standards require audience members to maintain a minimum horizontal distance from the launch area equal to the flight altitude. At 400 feet of altitude, the crowd must be at least 400 feet from the launch zone perimeter.
This separation is established before the event and maintained by on-site safety personnel throughout the performance.
Designated Safety Perimeter
The launch and landing area is restricted to authorized personnel only. Open Sky establishes a clearly marked safety perimeter around the flight operations zone, staffed by trained crew members who ensure no unauthorized individuals enter the area during operations.
On-Site Safety Personnel
Every Open Sky Productions event includes a dedicated safety team on the ground. These team members are trained in drone show operations, emergency response procedures, and crowd safety management. Their sole focus during the show is monitoring the safety perimeter and responding to any ground-level concerns.
Learn more about our full safety protocols and regulatory compliance.
Technical Safety Systems
Pre-Show Diagnostics
Before every performance, our software runs a complete diagnostic check on every drone in the fleet — battery health, GPS calibration, motor function, and communication status. Any drone that doesn’t pass the diagnostic is removed from the show before launch.
Failsafe Programming
Every drone in Open Sky’s fleet is programmed with failsafe responses. If a drone loses GPS signal, experiences a battery issue, or receives an abort command, it is programmed to land safely in the designated recovery zone rather than continuing flight unpredictably.
Collision Avoidance
Each drone maintains a programmed separation buffer from neighboring drones throughout the flight. This collision avoidance system operates independently of the central control software, providing a redundant layer of protection against mid-air contact between drones.
Real-Time Monitoring
Our flight operations team monitors every drone’s position, battery level, and status in real time throughout the performance. Any anomaly is identified immediately, and the response protocol is executed without delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a drone malfunctions mid-show?
The affected drone activates its failsafe protocol and lands safely in the designated recovery zone. The rest of the fleet continues the performance. The show is designed to continue operating even with the removal of individual drones.
Can drones fall on the crowd?
Our safety separation requirements and failsafe systems are specifically designed to prevent this scenario. The combination of crowd-positioning requirements and automatic safe-landing protocols means that a malfunctioning drone lands in the designated recovery area rather than in the audience.
Is Open Sky Productions insured?
Yes. We carry comprehensive aviation liability insurance and provide certificates of insurance to venues and municipalities upon request.
How do I know if a drone show company is operating legally?
Ask for proof of FAA Part 107 certification for all pilots and confirmation of FAA waivers for the specific event. A legitimate professional drone show company will provide both without hesitation.
Find more safety and planning information in the Open Sky Knowledge Hub.
Learn more about what sets a professional drone show, like Open Sky Productions, apart.
Contact Open Sky Productions to discuss safety protocols for your event.
Phone: 801-996-4857
Email: sales@openskypro.com
Get in Touch with Open Sky Productions