ASTM Task Group to Develop Drone Show Safety Standards

ASTM International initiative aims to promote safety across fast-growing drone show sector
A new task group under ASTM International has been formed to develop formal technical standards for drone show operations. The move comes amid the rapid global expansion of drone light displays and follows a rare accident this year at a Florida drone show that resulted in the injury of a young bystander. The incident has pushed industry leaders to take a proactive approach to safety and risk management.

A Growing Need for Standards
Drone shows, which use swarms of small, synchronized drones to create aerial light displays, have gained popularity around the world. While the technology behind these performances has evolved quickly, industry experts say safety protocols have not always kept pace.

“Not all systems are created equally,” the task group noted. “There are significant differences in sophistication and safety features. Likewise, some operators are far more professional and detail-oriented than others.”
Price competition has also led to a focus on cost at the expense of safety in some cases. Industry leaders argue that now is the time to adopt tested aviation safety practices, rather than develop new protocols from scratch. “There’s no need to reinvent the wheel; the necessary technologies and procedures already exist.”
ASTM International Steps In
ASTM International, a not-for-profit organization that develops voluntary consensus standards, has established the new task group to address safety in drone shows. Nils Thorjussen, Executive Chairman and co-founder of Verge Aero, is chairing the effort. The group is working with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Participation in the task group is open to all stakeholders. Broad involvement from drone show companies, regulators, and technology providers is encouraged to help guide the future of this entertainment medium.
Focus on Education and Risk Reduction
Verge Aero, one of the industry’s leading system developers, is taking additional steps to improve safety awareness. In response to increasing inquiries about drone show risks and safety measures, the company recently published The Essential Guide to Drone Show Safety. The white paper identifies five core elements for ensuring safety:

Navigation Redundancy

Appropriate and Up-to-Date Software

Multiple and Independent Geofence Systems

Reliable, Long-Range Communication

Training and Safety Management

According to Verge Aero, “By adhering to these principles, drone shows will continue to experience rapid growth and be enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.”
The guide is available for free on Verge Aero’s website at verge.aero/safety.
Call for Industry Collaboration
Verge Aero is urging drone show providers and related organizations to contribute to the ASTM process and other safety standard efforts. “Verge Aero is calling on the industry to work with ASTM and other standards organizations to implement robust safety standards for drone show systems.”
Interested parties can reach out directly to the company at standards@vergeaero.com to get involved.
As the popularity of drone shows increases and high-profile incidents draw attention to potential risks, industry leaders appear unified in their goal to strengthen public trust through responsible innovation and safety-first policies.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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