RPI’s Bicentennial Drone Show
On September 27, 2024, 750 drones took to the night sky to tell the story of our past, present, and future with dazzling 3D images. Our Bicentennial Drone Show celebrated our 200-year journey and embodied our legacy of creativity, curiosity, and transforming ideas into reality.
Wonder what went into creating this dance of flying lights in the sky? Step behind the scenes to learn how cutting-edge technology met breathtaking artistry to bring the show to life.
What Goes Into Planning a Drone Show?
A team of talented designers, armed with cutting-edge software, turned static storyboard drawings into animated sequences that blended music, narration, and pyrotechnics.
The drones for our show came from California and Puerto Rico. Each drone is capable of withstanding winds of up to 26 miles per hour and is positioned with incredible precision within 10 cm. They’re decked out with an impressive 900 lumens of ultra-bright lighting and soar up to 400 feet high.
Nearly a dozen RPI students, including members of the RPI Drone Club, helped inspect the drones to ensure there were no defects that would prevent them from flying. After that, they inserted batteries into all 750 drones. In total, the 15-minute show required 12 hours of setup on site on the big day.
Our drone show was piloted by Aaron H. Larsen of Texas, the Chief Pilot of Skyworx Drone Shows. With over 25 years of aviation experience, Aaron brought unparalleled expertise to the project. His career includes working for the Federal Aviation Administration and nearly two decades flying C-130s in the United States Air Force, including combat operations in Afghanistan. Aaron’s meticulous attention to detail, in-depth knowledge of FAA regulations, and unwavering commitment to safety ensured that all 750 drones flew in perfect synchrony, delivering a breathtaking experience for everyone in attendance.