The following guest post about drone show failures was written by Ruben Martinez, Head of Drone Show Technologies at SPH Engineering. SPH Engineering is a drone software company that makes various products including drone show software.

Drone shows are certainly fun to watch, and most of them go off completely safely. But it’s the exceptions that tend to make the news — and there is an occasional news story around a drone show gone wrong.

For some drone show companies, rapid growth in demand has created pressure to scale up quickly — without in some cases equivalent scale in safety procedures. While advanced software like Drone Show Software (DSS) offers robust safety features to predict or prevent issues, technology alone isn’t enough. Many additional factors—from planning oversights to environmental conditions such as water quality, air quality, and weather, which often vary across geographic locations — can still compromise a show.

In general, most issues stem from an overall lack of preparation — and often it’s human error rather than tech error. The human factors involved in planning and organizing the show are crucial. Comprehensive planning, including scheduling sufficient preparation time, setting clear responsibilities for each team member and ensuring that all safety protocols are followed, is essential to minimize these risks.

So what does that mean in practice? Here are six of the most common mistakes that can lead to failures—and how to avoid them.

1. Not properly researching the launch location

Failing to assess the environment before the show can result in serious complications. Evaluate factors like wind conditions, interference from nearby communication signals, and physical obstacles to avoid mid-show failures.

What to do: Visit the site in advance, preferably in person. While there, here are a few things you should do:

• Measure wind speed with an anemometer.
• Check Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite availability (at least 13 satellites required)
• Inspect the ground surface for hazards by conducting visual inspections and capturing photos or videos.
• Ensure proper geofencing is in place. 

2. Skipping in-office testing before the show

Testing from the comfort of your own office is key to spotting technical or operational issues before they become full-blown problems during a live performance on the scene.

Using software solutions like DSS can help verify drone animation accuracy during the design phase. DSS’s built-in simulator can also be helpful in “testing” before you even get to the real location.

What to do: If you use a software like DSS, use the DSS Blender plug-in and Fleet Simulator for pre-flight animation testing. Conduct takeoff tests to verify positioning and calibrate the compass if needed. Repeat tests until all drones complete the test procedures without errors.

3. Rushing on-site setup

A rushed setup increases the likelihood of critical errors being overlooked. Without proper time for final checks, essential safety measures might be missed, leading to avoidable failures.

Before the show, ensure the drones’ settings, such as geofencing and GNSS satellite connectivity, are correctly configured. 

Additionally, allocate ample setup time. Of course, setup time varies by your show’s unique conditions. But on average, a fleet of 100 drones requires two to three hours of setup.

What to do: Ensure a well-organized show layout, including designated takeoff zones, restricted staff areas, and secure spectator zones. If possible, perform dry runs of on-site setup on a previous day so that everyone knows what exactly has to be done and how. This can also help the team determine exactly how much setup time is required.

4. Not conducting a full test run

Even when drones are flown successfully in smaller, less complex tests, skipping a full-scale rehearsal under real show conditions can lead to unexpected problems. These might include issues with positioning, flight stability, or communication between drones, which might not have been detected during smaller trials.

Additionally, technical aspects such as battery life, GPS connectivity and software configuration can present challenges that go unnoticed without proper testing. To avoid this, perform multiple dry runs – starting with a simple take-off test to a full test rehearsal with the whole fleet, ensuring that all drones are synchronized and operate as expected.

What to do: Begin with a small-scale rehearsal using 4 to 6 drones. If possible, ideal circumstances would allow you to complete a full-scale test replicating real show conditions.

Whether you do a smaller rehearsal or complete dry run, confirm that altitude, distance and speed constraints match show requirements to prevent mid-air collisions.

5. Not double-checking safety aspects

Neglecting safety-critical elements increases the risk of malfunctions or accidents. Even experienced teams can make human errors without a structured safety check. ‘Double down on safety’ is a core principle in aviation.

The best drone show software includes an independent control interface that allows a second operator to send emergency commands to individual drones or the whole fleet, which DSS calls Redbutton.

What to do: Assign a dedicated Redbutton operator, measure wind speed accurately, and implement polygon and hard fence settings to minimize risks. Ensure a second person verifies each show-critical safety element as part of a structured double-check process.

6. Not using a detailed checklist

A structured checklist is the backbone of a smooth operation. Skipping checklist steps can lead to unexpected issues, from battery failures to GPS connection losses. Having a second person verify each safety-critical element, such as wind speed limits, battery checks, and emergency shutdown procedures, further reduces the risk of failure.

What to do: Utilize the built-in checklist within Drone Show Software. This covers critical safety parameters such as wind speed limits (5-6 m/s max), required GNSS satellites (minimum 13), safety distances, and emergency shutdown procedures. The checklist can also be customized to fit specific project needs.

The importance of training

All these safety measures and best practices are key components of the Drone Show Software training, which is required before operating the system. Regular training ensures that providers stay updated on industry developments and maintain their qualifications.

By committing to strict safety protocols, continuous learning, and meticulous planning, drone show operators can deliver flawless performances that captivate audiences while ensuring safety for all.

-By Ruben Martinez, Head of Drone Show Technologies at SPH Engineering

If you’d like to submit a guest post, contact The Drone Girl here.

About Ruben Martinez:
Ruben Martinez is the Head of Drone Show Technologies at SPH Engineering. With a background in software development, AI solutions and commercial drone operations, he is dedicated to advancing the drone show industry. At SPH Engineering, Ruben has played a key role in expanding commercial drone operations across LATAM. His expertise spans AI-driven solutions like chatbots and speech recognition.

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