Lighting Up the Sky with Pyro Drones at the Institute of Explosives Engineers Conference
In June, we brought something special to the Institute of Explosives Engineers during their three-day ‘Fulmination’ conference in Nottingham: a drone light show with pyro drones, combining cutting-edge drone technology with the drama of fireworks in the sky.
Andy Hubble at the Institute of Explosives Engineers conference
Held every two years, the IExpE conference attracts professionals from across the explosives and pyrotechnics industries, providing a space for discussion, development, and the exchange of ideas. For us at Star Symphony Drone Shows, it was the perfect opportunity to share the journey of how drone light shows are evolving in the UK, and to showcase how pyro drones are taking aerial displays to the next level.
Our co-founder and chief pilot, Andy Hubble, who has been a member of the Institute for 13 years, gave a presentation to the wider Institute audience by explaining how drone light shows work in practice. From designing formations in 3D animation software to creating the GPS flight plans that bring them to life, the audience saw how technology and creativity come together in every show we deliver. Andy also highlighted the different drones we fly, which include a model designed specifically for drone light shows, and our new pyro drone models that can safely fire pyrotechnics in sync with aerial choreography as well as act as a normal light show drone.
But what exactly are pyro drones? In simple terms, pyro drones are drones fitted with pyrotechnics that can fire effects during a drone light show, adding bursts of colour, sparkle, and crackle to formations in the sky. They bring the excitement of fireworks directly into a drone display, opening up new creative possibilities for live events, festivals, and public celebrations.
Some of the Star Symphony Drone Shows drones lit up the stage
During the talk, Andy explained that there are two main methods used in the industry to operate pyro drones. The first involves adding a separate pyro firing system to a standard drone, controlled by an operator independent from the pilot. While this approach can work, it can also present challenges if a drone needs to land unexpectedly, requiring fast action to identify the drone that has landed and disable its specific firing system. In reality this can be hard to do in a short space of time, so operators may be left with little choice but to disable the firing systems on the whole fleet, resulting in no pyrotechnics firing at all.
At Star Symphony, we use the second method: a fully integrated pyro drone system where the firing capability is built into the drone itself, giving the pilot full control. This system automatically disables the pyrotechnics if a drone fails to take off, lands unexpectedly, or experiences a fault, ensuring the highest level of safety without compromising the impact of the show.
Safety is at the heart of what we do. As one of the first companies in the UK to receive permission to operate pyro drones, we have worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure every pyro drone light show meets strict safety standards while delivering a visually stunning experience for audiences.
During the conference, Andy also spoke to an early careers group about opportunities within the drone and pyrotechnics industries, sharing his own journey from firework displays to building a company focused on drone light shows in the UK. The technology behind drone shows is moving fast, and it’s an exciting area for young people interested in live events, engineering, and creative technology.
The highlight of the event was the Fulmination Network Evening, sponsored by Star Symphony Drone Shows, where we delivered a fully themed drone light show with pyro drones for conference attendees. The show featured a series of unique formations, including 3D models of detonator plungers, a WW2 unexploded bomb, and a giant, 100-metre-wide recreation of the Institute’s logo, all accented with shimmering pyrotechnic effects fired from our pyro drones.
The addition of pyro drones to drone light shows allows us to merge the elegance of coordinated drone choreography with the visceral excitement of fireworks, creating a spectacle that captivates audiences of all ages. Whether it’s for a festival, a corporate event, or a large-scale public celebration, drone light shows with pyro drones provide a new way to create unforgettable moments in the sky.
We’re proud to help lead the way in the UK, bringing this advanced technology safely to live events and helping clients transform their shows with the unique magic that pyro drones deliver.
If you’re looking to elevate your next event with a drone light show, or you’re curious about how pyro drones could add that extra “wow” factor, get in touch with us. We’d love to help you light up your skies.