USA - A new task group has been formed by ASTM International to create safety standards for drone show operations, focusing on technical requirements, procedures, and risk management. Chaired by Nils Thorjussen of Verge Aero, the group invites broad industry participation to support the growth of the emerging drone show sector. The initiative has the support and participation of the FAA.
Drone shows have come a long way in just a few years. Pioneering work undertaken in laboratories has led to the creation of technologies to deploy massive, record-setting shows worldwide. But not all systems are created equally, with significant differences in sophistication and safety features. Likewise, some operators are far more professional and detail-oriented than others. Intense price competition in the market has made many people focus on cost and not safety.
“It’s time for the drone show industry to maximise safety by embracing well-established practices and standards developed over the last century in manned aviation. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel; the necessary technologies and procedures already exist,” says ASTM.
The task group is open to all interested parties and broad industry participation is encouraged to help the nascent drone show industry mature and thrive.
Verge Aero has recently released The Essential Guide to Drone Show Safety to help educate the public and stakeholders. It identifies five essential components to show safety: navigation redundancy, appropriate and up-to-date software, multiple and independent geofence systems, reliable, long-range communication and training and safety management. The white paper is available for view or download on Verge Aero’s website.
Verge Aero is calling on the industry to work with ASTM and other standards organisations to implement robust safety standards for drone show systems. Interested parties should contact the company at standards@vergeaero.com
