A drone hovers during testing. (Photo by IRG Sports + Entertainment)
If you’ve been to an outdoor facility or open-air event in the last year, chances are you’ve seen — or been seen by — an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). These flyers, more commonly referred to as drones, have risen in popularity over the last year as prices and other barriers to entry have decreased. Also, the ability to attach both still and HD video cameras to drones has opened up new uses for the technology, which was previously used predominantly by aviation hobbyists. Facilities and leagues are creating response plans regarding how to respond to drone activity, with some venues getting in on the action.
“Drones are a concern, especially in open venues such as stadiums, amphitheaters and festivals,” said Cory Meredith of StaffPro.
Mark Camillo, SVP, Strategic Planning at Contemporary Services Corporation, called UAS’ a trending issue that is not going away.
Creative Use
Though there is some doom and gloom about unauthorized use, several organizations and facilities are using drones in creative ways to enhance their marketing and planning.
IRG Sports + Entertainment rents drones to film the 13 races that make up its Nitro Jam Drag Racing series. According to IRGSE President and CEO Jason Rittenberry, the drones can’t quite keep up with the cars, which can reach speeds of more than 300 mph, so need to start about halfway down the track.
“We film on all of our properties and keep it safe,” said Rittenberry, who added that the UAS’ don’t fly over the audience. Currently, IRGSE rents the drone, which comes with an operator and HD camera, for about $4,000, as opposed to purchasing a similar professional system for about $200,000.
In order to view the camera footage, an additional operator can either look at a screen or through goggles for a first-person view of the action.
“I’ve gotten to wear the goggles — it’s bad ass,” added Rittenberry.
The recently opened Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando used drone footage to show off the architecture of the new property, creating a fly-through video that was inspired by the original animated concept video.
“We used the drones as a way of bringing our potential guests closer to the actual venue once it was open,” said the facility’s Scott Bowman. “It was the best way of showing how vision translates into reality with all levels of perspective.”
UAS’ can also be useful for planning future events.
Alex Haagen IV, owner of festival and corporate event site Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., said that he used a drone to capture birds-eye images of the layout for his annual Rhythm, Wine & Brews Experience in 2014.
“Not only did I take a bunch of aerial videos of some of the artwork and the acts, but I took aerial photos of the site and set up so I could refer to it going forward for setting up this year and make adjustments as needed,” he said, currently in planning mode for the Feb. 28, 2015, event. “It’s like a live Google Earth of what you set up for your events, which will be helpful for strategizing and build out for this coming year.”
He currently owns two hobbyist drones at a cost of about $1,800 each that have been equipped with HD cameras. The added bonus of having UAS’ on site is the ability to take large group shots during corporate events, with Haagen stating that using the drone is “much easier and safer than trying to get a big boom out.”
Not All Positive
Though UAS technology is evolving, there are still several risks involved in the piloting of drones around condensed groups, from the physical risks of malfunction, disruption and sabotage to perceived danger for fans. This is especially true when drone use is unauthorized.
Sue Storey, director of sport and international development at Sports Grounds Safety Authority, said that she’s experienced a few issues with drones, but that SGSA is looking at it as an emerging issue in the United Kingdom.
“There have been a few instances where drones have flown over sports grounds and, from our point of view, there is a risk in relation to that,” she said, adding that due to technical malfunction or operator incompetence, a UAS could go out of control and crash.
“If it does go down inside of the stadium it could affect spectators, the structure or grounds, and potentially cause disruption to the sport and event itself,” Storey said. “The more minor risk is what reaction spectators or players themselves might have to a drone, with the risk that someone in the crowd might take inappropriate action toward trying to pull it down or throw something at it. The more sinister risk would be the purpose of the drone for being there, which could be for potential terrorist activity or just someone wanting to film the match from a different angle.”
Camillo considers some of the ways in which UAS’ are used as “weapons of mass disruption.”
One of the most visible situations happened in Belgrade, Serbia, where a drone carrying an Albanian nationalist banner came inside Partizan Stadium during the first match featuring Albania and Serbia as independent nations. A Serbian player pulled the flag down, starting a fight on the field involving both players and fans. Teams were kept off the field for more than a half hour before the match was eventually canceled.
Governing bodies in the United Kingdom and United States are beginning to realize a need for legislation and standards regarding UAS’.
The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority has specific legislation under The Air Navigation Order 2009. According to Part 22, section 166, the person in charge of a small UAS must maintain direct visual contact with the drone in order to follow its flight path, as well as restrict flight to below 400 feet. With a small unmanned surveillance aircraft, used for filming, restrictions in Part 22, section 167 include flying over or within about 500 feet of any congested area or any organized, open-air assembly of more than 1,000 people, as well as within about 170 feet “of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under control of the person in charge of the aircraft,” or within the same distance of any person.
“Our sole focus is the safety aspect,” said Richard Taylor of U.K. Civil Aviation Authority. Many devices weigh upwards of 25 pounds, while others more commonly used by hobbyists are in the 7-pound range, but even the lighter devices could pose a threat. “When something like that falls from 200 feet it won’t be very pleasant,” Taylor added.
Camillo said the Federal Aviation Authority put out a special regulation in June restricting the use of unmanned aircraft.
“The guidelines, generally, are now in public law,” he said, adding that the interpretation of the special rule for model aircraft includes that drones should be flown strictly for hobby or recreational purposes, can’t be operated in a spectator environment without authorization, can’t be operated in noise-sensitive areas, and have to be flown above 400 feet and more than five miles from an airport.
What Venues Can Do
When it comes down to it, the local police with jurisdiction in the areas have authority when it comes to UAS’ endangering the public.
“Really, all venues can do is cooperate with authorities,” said Taylor. “It’s up to venue or event organizers to work with local authorities to ensure that potential risks are mitigated.”
Facilities need to put plans in place to respond to drone incidents and include it as part of their safety and security operations.
“Reacting is too late — there needs to be a conditioned response,” said Camillo, who added that overreaction, such as unnecessarily canceling an event or evacuating a venue, is also a cause for potential concern.
Communication is key, with the first logical step after identifying a drone being to alert the stakeholders at an event, including facility management, first responders and event organizers. If the UAS is being used with authorization, that fact should also be communicated, with the public notified that the drone is being used legally.
“This is a perfect opportunity to loop in social media,” said Camillo, “or use something as fundamental as putting information out over video boards or the loudspeaker saying that the drone spectators see is part of the operation, so please smile.”
If an unauthorized drone makes an appearance, Storey said the first thing a facility or event operator should do is gather evidence for possible prosecution. Take photos or video of the UAS and ask staff to look around and outside of the grounds to attempt to locate the operator, who will likely be nearby, and contact the local authorities.
“Deterrence in the U.K. is the fact that this kind of operating activity is illegal,” said Storey, who added that there have been two prosecutions so far for illegal drone usage that have resulted in fines.
In addition to gathering evidence, Storey also recommended providing reassurance to spectators and continuing with duties as usual.
“You also have a think about what else is happening in the grounds,” she said, mentioning activities like pyrotechnics that may need to be canceled or restructured depending on the location of the UAS.
Associations such as the SGSA, UK CAA, and companies such as CSC are continuing to work with sports leagues and venue associations, as well as local authorities, to establish best practices for this emerging issue, which will continue to rise as technological and financial barriers to drone usage decrease.
“It’s important for your readers to know about drones,” said Camillo. “A lot of aspiring sports venue professionals need to add this to their list of potential issues to be discussed.”
Interviewed for this story: Scott Bowman, (407) 839-0119; Mark Camillo, (818) 885-5150; Alex Haagen, (760) 342-2762; Cory Meredith, (714) 230-7200; Sue Storey, 011 59 456612; Richard Taylor, 00 44 (0)20 7453 6025