How Is a Drone Show Planned?

Planning a professional drone show begins with an assessment of the location, date, audience position, airspace and desired production. Lunatx then develops the creative concept, visualises the show in advance, handles the technical planning and coordinates the required aviation-related steps through to on-site delivery.

As a general rule, the earlier a drone show is requested, the more flexibility there is for concept development and coordination. At the same time, our long-standing experience, established network and extensive in-house capabilities also allow us to deliver projects at short notice.

For a drone show, we generally recommend starting the planning process as early as possible. A lead time of several months provides ample scope to coordinate the location, dramaturgy, animation and any additional production departments.

There is no fixed minimum lead time, however.

Many projects can also be delivered with significantly shorter preparation times. Lunatx has repeatedly made short-notice productions and last-minute shows possible.

Whether this is feasible depends on factors including:

Working with a short lead time? Contact us anyway. An initial feasibility assessment quickly shows what is realistically possible.

You do not need a finished show concept to get started. A few key details are enough for an initial assessment of the project:

Even if some of these points are still open, it can already make sense to enquire. Many questions can be resolved together during the planning process.

Before the show is designed in detail, we first establish whether it can be operated safely and legally at the desired location.

We assess factors including:

For city-centre events, stadiums, locations near airports or unusual venues in particular, this assessment can form a significant part of the project preparation.

That is why it is worth having the location assessed as early as possible.

Once the basic feasibility has been confirmed, the creative work begins.

We first define what the show should communicate or tell. The focus is not only on individual motifs, but on the overall impact of the production.

Possible content includes:

These elements form the basis of a dramaturgy tailored to the event, the audience and the intended message.

The idea is then developed into a concrete sequence.

Lunatx develops a storyboard defining the motifs, transitions and key dramatic moments.

The individual formations and flight movements are then programmed. During the final show, each drone follows its own pre-defined flight path.

We take into account factors including:

A drone show is therefore not created on the day of the event. It is fully planned digitally in advance.

Before the show is flown, the planned production can be visualised digitally.

The preview shows how:

This allows the client and creative team to assess the show before the event takes place.

Based on the feedback, motifs, transitions and timing can be refined before the final show file is produced.

Technical and aviation planning runs in parallel with the creative development.

Lunatx operates drone shows as UAS operations in the specific category. The planning is based on a project-specific risk assessment and the applicable requirements for the individual location.

Depending on the project, we assess and coordinate elements including:

Lunatx holds an operational authorisation issued by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt and handles the technical and operational planning of the drone show.

A drone show can work as a standalone production or as part of a larger multimedia show.

It can be synchronised with elements including:

For time-critical sequences, the different systems can be synchronised with one another. The drones then become part of a unified dramaturgy rather than an isolated show element.

Technical setup at the show site begins on the event day or, depending on the project, in advance.

Depending on the project, this can include:

The fleet is only prepared for the show once all relevant technical and safety requirements have been met.

During the show, each drone follows its pre-programmed flight path.

The fleet is monitored via the Ground Control Station. During operation, the pilots and technical crew monitor telemetry, positioning and system status, among other parameters.

For music-synchronised or multimedia productions, the drone show runs in precise timing with the other show elements.

After the final formation, the drones return to the designated landing area.

Yes – depending on the location and project.

A longer lead time naturally provides the best conditions. However, the event industry regularly requires productions to be delivered at short notice.

This is where Lunatx SFX’s long-standing experience helps. Established workflows, a reliable network and concept development, programming and technical delivery from a single source allow us to assess quickly what is possible even within short timeframes.

A short-notice enquiry is therefore not automatically too late.

The key is to establish as early as possible whether the location, airspace and organisational conditions allow the desired production to go ahead.

Lunatx SFX handles the aviation and technical planning for the drone show.

Depending on the project, the organiser or client may still need to provide certain conditions or information. This can include ensuring access to the required event areas and obtaining the necessary landowner consents.

We clarify which documents, consents or coordination steps are required for the specific project at the beginning of the planning process.

The fleet size is determined as early as possible during the concept phase.

It depends on factors including:

For many larger event productions, we recommend a fleet of around 700 drones. More compact professional shows are possible from around 350 drones, while particularly large productions can use 1,000 or more drones.

Concept development, programming, technical planning and project preparation are included in the overall cost of a fully customised drone show.

Professional bespoke drone shows at Lunatx SFX typically start in the mid-five-figure budget range.

The final cost depends on factors including fleet size, level of customisation, location and additional show elements.