Balloon Fiesta Blends Tradition with High-Tech Drone Shows
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is taking to the skies with a mix of old and new, incorporating high-tech drone displays alongside its traditional hot air balloons. According to a KRQE News report, the 52nd annual event will feature an estimated 500 drones, matching last year’s impressive aerial showcase.
Drones Light Up the Night Sky
Since 2022, LED-equipped drones have been illuminating the Albuquerque skyline, often forming iconic New Mexican symbols. These aerial displays have become a highlight of the festival, complementing the colorful hot air balloons that have long been the main attraction.
Behind the Scenes of the Drone Show
Nils Thorjussen, CEO of Verge Aero, the company coordinating the drone shows, explained the process:
“We spend a lot of time with the organizers, kind of getting their ideas on what they’d like to see up in the air and then taking those concepts and then turning it into artwork and then, in turn, creating the actual flight paths that the drones fly.”
Past shows have featured a variety of shapes and images, including:
- 3D hot air balloons that appear to move
- The New Mexico flag
- Green and red chiles
- Aliens
- “Looney Tunes” characters like Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner
- Balloon Fiesta messages
New Elements for This Year’s Show
While the number of drones remains the same as last year, Thorjussen hinted at some exciting additions:
“We are adding some new effects. So we’ll see how that goes for the evening shows, that is.”
Drone Show Schedule
For those planning to attend, here’s the schedule for the drone shows:
- October 5-6: 5:45 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. (Sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino)
- October 7-9: 5:45 a.m.
- October 10-11: 5:45 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. (Evening shows sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino)
- October 12: 5:45 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. (Evening show sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino)
Simplicity in Execution
Despite the complex choreography, launching the show is surprisingly straightforward.
“It’s just a ‘go’ command,” said Thorjussen. “So, the pilot executes that command, and then their job is really just paying attention and making sure everything is proceeding as planned.”
DroneXL’s Take
The integration of Drone Technologie into traditional events like the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta showcases the versatility and public appeal of these aerial devices. This trend aligns with the growing use of drone light shows for entertainment purposes, as we’ve seen in recent articles about drones replacing fireworks for safer and more environmentally friendly celebrations.
As drone technology continues to advance, we can expect even more impressive and intricate displays in the future, potentially revolutionizing large-scale public events and entertainment.
What are your thoughts on the combination of traditional hot air balloons and modern drone technology at the Balloon Fiesta? Share your opinions in the comments below.
Photo courtesy of KRQE News 14 / Fallon Fischer.
Ontdek meer van DroneXL.co
Abonneer je om de nieuwste berichten naar je e-mail te laten verzenden.
LAAT JE STEM HOREN
Voorgestelde wetgeving bedreigt jouw vermogen om drones te gebruiken voor plezier, werk en veiligheid. De Belangenvereniging voor drones Doe met ons mee en vertel uw verkozen ambtenaren om uw recht om te vliegen te beschermen.
Behaal uw Deel 107-certificaat
Slaag voor de test en ga de lucht in met de Proefinstituut. We hebben duizenden mensen geholpen om piloot te worden van vliegtuigen en commerciële drones. Onze cursussen zijn ontworpen door experts uit de industrie om je te helpen slagen voor de FAA-tests en je dromen waar te maken.
Copyright © DroneXL.co 2024. Alle rechten voorbehouden. De inhoud, afbeeldingen en intellectuele eigendommen op deze website worden beschermd door auteursrecht. Reproductie of verspreiding van materiaal zonder voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van DroneXL.co is ten strengste verboden. Voor toestemming en vragen kunt u terecht bij contact met ons opnemen first. Also, be sure to check out DroneXL's sister site, EVXL.co, for all the latest news on electric vehicles.
FTC: DroneXL.co is een Amazon Associate en gebruikt affiliate links die inkomsten kunnen genereren uit kwalificerende aankopen. We verkopen, delen, verhuren of spammen je e-mail niet.