SeaWorld to Use 500 Drones for New Light Show

There’s a new article in the Press Enterprise from Orange County that reports SeaWorld San Diego plans to use 500 aerial drones to create images in the sky above Mission Bay. First, SeaWorld plans to do a test run of the aerial drone light show in early February.

The aquatic park has already submitted a proposal to the California Coastal Commission for a test run of the drone show. The dates for the test run are on select nights from Feb. 4-18.

If successful, SeaWorld probably will employ the drones as a replacement for part or all of their nighttime fireworks.

The Seaworld drone show will use 12-ounce Intel Shooting Star quadcopter drones designed specifically for aerial shows. PE reported:

The 15-inch square Intel drones would take off autonomously, fly pre-programmed routes 400 feet above SeaWorld and land after the show. The drones depict shapes in the night sky using onboard colored lights. Music played at ground level inside SeaWorld would accompany the light show.

The drones get their bearings from GPS location technology. The Federal Aviation Administration generally allows aerial drones to fly under 400 feet. SeaWorld’s application indicated FAA authorization had been issued.

Some may be overjoyed that SeaWorld may finally get rid of their fireworks. There’s plenty of problems with them; they’re harmful to SeaWorld’s own animals; they bring pollution to Mission Bay and foul up the air in the area that humans breath.

So, this could be a win for the environment. Or would it? Having 500 drones fly around could bring new challenges.