Interested in flying your drone at a fireworks show? Capturing the vibrant display of colors and patterns can be an exhilarating experience.
However, it’s crucial to fly your drone with with safety and precision to ensure not only stunning footage but also a responsible flight.
In this blog post, read on for 8 helpful tips that are essential for flying your drone amidst fireworks. Whether you’re a beginner or have experience in drone piloting, these guidelines will help you operate your drone safely and efficiently, while capturing the shots you’re looking for. Let’s dive in!
8. Flying a drone at night requires extra precautions
If you haven’t done this yet, don’t make flying at night AND droning fireworks BOTH a new thing. Go PRACTICE before there are other new things (fireworks) involved. Then you can have just one new thing when you catch the fireworks show.
The FAA used to require a waiver to fly at night. You don’t need this anymore as long as you have anti-collision lights (i.e. lights that are “visible up to a distance of three statute miles”) on your drone.
7. Consider taking off any drone filters
It’s dark at night and some (not all) filters make it even darker. If you fly with an ND filter, consider taking it off for this flight.
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6. Keep an eye on your drone battery
Give yourself EXTRA time to land, you’ll likely be with a crowd, and well.. fireworks are exciting. It’s easy to lose track, get distracted and then be rushing to land.
I tend to see a pattern with people introducing their drones to trees when they are rushing to land. This is not the type of hot date anyone needs (even if fireworks ARE going off… quite literally).
Also consider a fireworks show is around 25-30 minutes. This means if you want to catch the END of the show, you’ll likely need to land mid show and switch batteries, or launch AFTER the show has started.
5. Fly your drone in an open area and avoid tight spaces if you can
Landing at night feels a little more difficult because you’re relying on your naked eye vs. having your screen AND your eyes. If you don’t fly at night often, know that it’ll feel a little different landing your drone. I can easily land my drone at full throttle into my hand on a tiny kayak, but landing at night, relying mostly at looking at the anti collision light feels different.
4. Slow the shutter speed of your drone camera
Insert lots of camera jargon here. If you’re a newbie to photography – shoot in auto. Otherwise, get as MUCH light into the lens as possible and slow down the shutter speed in manual mode.
3. Know that fireworks CAN be as tall as 500 feet
If the shot you have in mind is a top down view, it’s pretty high up there. Generally fireworks are in the 200-500 range, but depending on what kind of airspace you’re in, don’t forget about that 400’ cap.
Want to see these helpful tips? Checkout the full video below!
2. Consider NOT flying a public show
You’re not supposed to turn off your anti collision lights, which means everyone gets to stare at another light in the sky. Also don’t forget about the FAA rules about flying over people (generally you can’t).
1. Remember you’re likely not the only cool kid flying a drone so be aware of other drones
There are likely other people flying drones. Potentially a lot of them. If you’re not used to flying around other people, it can cause interference. So if a dark screen (because it’s night) AND a dark screen (because you’re disconnected) freaks you out.. make sure you keep your drone close.
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Bottom line
If you’re new to flying at night, consider giving yourself some extra space for launching and landing your drone as well as some spare battery time.
While this article isn’t suggesting “flying a drone at a fireworks show is a fantastic idea”… I also get it that people want to do it.
So make sure you’re doing your normal homework, taking extra precautions (it’s kind of stressful to fly at night with people around!) and don’t forget the most important part – to ENJOY the fireworks show, too!