FAQs

During drone shows, multiple drones are flown together to create imagery and animations in the sky. We typically design 2D imagery, while higher drone counts allow us to create more detailed and dimensional 3D designs. This imagery can also be synchronized with a soundtrack to captivate audiences with sight and sound.

The drones are equipped with color-changing LED lights, and shows typically take place at night or dusk when the lights are most visible.

We use drones that are specifically designed for drone light shows. We use Verge Aero drones; designed with safety as a priority. They’re equipped with extremely precise GPS units and multiple levels of failsafes. The drones use a Lithium-Ion battery.

Flight times vary depending on weather conditions, the event environment, and the number of drones being flown.

Maximum flight times are:

• 13.5–14 minutes in warm weather (above 40°F during spring, summer, and fall)
• 13–13.5 minutes for shows over water
• 12.5 minutes for baseball stadium shows
• 12.5–12.75 minutes in cold weather (below 40°F at night)

The total show experience also depends on launch and return time, which varies based on the distance between the launch site and the flight area. As a baseline, when the launchpad is located directly beneath the performance area, you can expect:

• 150–300 drones: Approximately 2 minutes for launch and return, leaving 11–12 minutes of show content.
• 400–600 drones: Approximately 3 minutes for launch and return, leaving 10–11 minutes of show content.
• 700–1,000 drones: Approximately 4 minutes for launch and return, leaving 9–10 minutes of show content.

This means the audience experiences approximately 9–12 minutes of choreographed drone content, depending on the size of the show and operating conditions.

We have the ability to fly a show of virtually any size. However, while an 800 drone show will give you many more options and be far superior to a 150 drone show, the difference between a 150 and 250 drone show will be far more noticeable than the difference between an 800 and 900 drone show.

We find most of our shows use between 200-400 drones, though we have several shows of more than 600 drones scheduled for 2026.

Drone shows can be anywhere from 50ft all the way to 400ft off the ground. With additional FAA approval, shows can extend even higher than 400ft. This is also dependent on the height of the launch area and the tallest structure in the flight area.

With perfect weather conditions, drone shows can be visible up to four miles away. Typically, at least 1.5 - 2 miles.

No. People not directly involved in running the show must be kept at a safe distance from the flight area, per FAA regulations. Specifically, we need a 200’ x 200’ flight zone under which there can be no spectators.

Drone shows are still relatively new and provide an exciting element of nighttime entertainment.

Unlike a fireworks show, you can get as involved in the design as you want. If you have a vision for what you’d like to see in the sky, we can make it happen.

Drones also offer the unique ability to bring sponsors in as part of the performance by incorporating their logos into the show. This offers a huge benefit over a traditional fireworks show.

To give you the best show possible, our team prefers to work with you as far in advance as possible. Three months is the ideal amount of time needed to create a custom show your guests will love.

Have a shorter timeline? Reach out to us and we’ll work with you to see if we can create a show for your event.

Yes. There are many ways to achieve discounted pricing, including: time of year (popular dates like July 4 or December 31 make it more difficult), number of drones (more drones means reduced price/drone), number of shows (if you’re planning two in an evening or over multiple days), lead time, or locking in future shows.

When we do a drone show, we bring a pilot and any assisting staff. The only thing we require to do a show for you is an area for the show launchpad.

The launchpad on the ground depends on the drone count. The launchpad for 100 drones can be as small as 40'x40'.

A safety zone is needed between the flight area and the spectators because FAA regulations prohibit flying over people. This can be accomplished by barriers, cones, caution tape, natural barriers, or personnel. Each site is unique and will have its own requirements.

The drones can fly in light mist or a couple of raindrops, but we try to avoid flying in rain whenever possible. The drones can fly in sustained winds up to 20 mph. However, we cannot fly during heavy snow, temperatures of 15°F or lower, or in intense fog that could greatly obstruct the visuals of the show.

The Drone Pilot in Command will make the final determination on site as to whether conditions are safe and suitable for flight.

We will always work with the event to pre-identify a "rain date" if weather conditions should call off the original day's flight.

Unlike many drone companies, we have visual designers on staff who will work with you to bring your show vision to life.

It starts with an initial consultation where you and our design team share ideas and determine the goal and feel for the show, including what you want your guests to experience.

After the initial meeting, our design team will create a storyboard that outlines the flow and creative direction of your show using simple images, visual references, and concepts. This gives you an opportunity to review and approve the overall vision before we begin building the show.

Once the storyboard is approved, our design team will begin bringing those concepts to life in the Verge Aero software. This is where the actual drone formations and animations are created. We’ll then provide renderings of the show for you to review, giving you a visual representation of how the finished show will look in the night sky.

Once the show is approved, our pilots will bring it to life at your event.

We can put just about any image you’d like in the sky. We’ve created everything from complex building blueprints and animals to athletes and even our entire solar system.

If you can dream it, we can make it. The amount of detail we can achieve is impacted by the number of drones in the show and whether the shapes are designed in 2D or 3D. Our design team will work with you to determine the best approach for bringing your vision to life.

Our design team will first create a rough storyboard using simple images and visual references to show the pacing, flow, and shapes planned for your show. Once the storyboard is approved, we’ll begin building the show in Verge Aero software and provide previews, or renderings, as we work. These renderings provide the most accurate representation of what your show will look like when it takes flight.

If we’re fortunate enough to be able to bring your show to life, there will be two payments.

The first payment - a 25% deposit - will be due within two weeks of signing your contract.

The rest of the amount will be due within seven days of the show.

Yes. There are many factors that can influence pricing, but in general, the more drones you would like, the more we will discount the “per drone” cost.

Yes. Booking multiple shows - even if a year apart - is one of the ways to get a reduced rate on your show(s).

Most drones used for shows have a battery life of approximately 14 minutes, but your show does not need to be that long. We can create a shorter show if that better fits your event or extend the experience by sending up a second set of drones. Our team will work with you to determine the ideal show length for your event.

There are two factors in doing multiple shows - both of which make it possible.

If we bring two sets of batteries, we can have the drones down, batteries changed, and back in the air within 40 minutes.

If we have to recharge the batteries, there would probably be 2.5 hours between landing and the following launch.

We can fly shows throughout the United States and have experience producing shows in locations across the country. We can also explore opportunities to bring our drone shows internationally, depending on local airspace regulations, permitting requirements, travel logistics, and other considerations.

If you’re interested in bringing a drone show to your location, reach out to our team and we’ll determine what’s possible for your event.

We typically need a minimum of 1.5–2 hours to set up before a show, but setup time can vary depending on the number of drones, any additional elements such as pyro drones, the size of our setup team, and the location or environment.

To allow plenty of time for setup, testing, and final safety checks, we aim to arrive approximately four hours before every show we fly.

Yes, using time code protocols, we can sync with a live band and their own light shows.

Most certainly. Seeing sponsor logos or iconography in the sky is a great way to incent sponsors to participate in bringing the show to life.