Safety distances
What safety distance should be established for a drone show?
To determine the appropriate safety distance, it is necessary to refer to our Concept of Operation which has been validated by the DSAC and which includes guidelines on the safety distances to be respected.
It is imperative to set up a safety distance large enough to manage any drone falls. Since drones are flying objects, in the event of a technical failure, they can land or crash in a secure area outside the public area.
In order to ensure that the drones do not exceed this safety zone, we have observers around the flight zone. These people constantly monitor that a drone does not come out of formation
If a drone approaches too close to the limit of the flight zone, the observer activates a remote control called Kill-Switch which cuts off the drone's power supply. From this moment, the drone travels a certain distance before touching the ground.
How is the safe distance calculated for a drone show?
The EASA and the DSAC have established that the observer has a maximum of 3 seconds to make the decision to cut off the drone's power supply in the event of exceeding the limit of the flight zone.
During these 3 seconds, the drone can fly at its maximum speed and be pushed by the tailwind. Once the drone's power is cut, it follows a ballistic curve as it falls to the ground. In addition, debris can bounce a few meters. Thus, the formula used to calculate the safety distance is as follows:
The total safety distance is therefore calculated by adding the reaction time of the observer, the ballistic drop of the drone and the rebound of the debris. This formula allows us to guarantee the total safety of the public.
Safe distance = (Maximum drone speed + Maximum tailwind) x 3 seconds responsiveness.
What is the safety distance at Allumee?
At Allumee, the safety distance for our drone shows is 96 meters.
We can see here an example of an installation on the Champs de Mars in Paris.
