The Drone Light Show Alliance (DLSA), a professional membership organization backed by North Texas’ drone show pioneers Sky Elements, has launched with the release of the first comprehensive, cross-platform standards for drone light show operations.

Designed to prioritize safety, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices, the DLSA aims to “transform the emerging drone light show sector through collaborative development and transparent safety accountability,” the organization said.

The formation of the DLSA addresses a critical challenge in the rapid growth of commercial drone light show operations: the weaponization of safety as a proprietary competitive advantage rather than a shared industry commitment, DLSA said.

“The drone show industry stands at a crossroads,” Preston Ward, Sky Elements’ general counsel and chief pilot, said in a statement. “Manufacturers and operators have begun treating safety as a trade secret, a tactic that undermines the collective goal of advancing the industry responsibly.”

‘Collaborative accountability’

The DLSA Standards for Conducting Drone Light Shows establish uniform safety protocols, operational requirements, and system classifications. It’s modeled after the National Fire Protection Association framework to give operators “clear, actionable guidance” for FAA waiver applications and operations. The organization also released the Drone Show Design Safety Hierarchy to define system requirements for Tier 1 and Tier 2 classifications, giving operators a clear roadmap for equipment procurement and operational safety management.

Rather than storing safety information within commercial platforms, the DLSA said it provides an open-access framework that all operators, regardless of equipment manufacturer or company size, can adopt and reference in FAA waiver applications. The organization said this approach democratizes safety compliance and shifts the industry culture from one of competitive gatekeeping to one of “collaborative accountability.”

‘A repository for this critical safety data’

The DLSA said its commitment to transparency begins immediately with the release of Sky Elements’ complete fault testing documentation for its Sky Command Ground Control System, conducted following every firmware update. The organization encourages all manufacturers and drone show operators to conduct and publish their own fault testing results.

“The foundation of safety assurance is fault testing,” Ward said. “By sharing these results publicly, manufacturers and operators demonstrate accountability to each other, to regulators, and to the communities where drone light shows perform. The DLSA will serve as a repository for this critical safety data.”

Sky Elements has successfully obtained FAA approval for an updated waiver incorporating the DLSA Tier 1 System standard. Under this waiver, a second Part 107 certificate holder may now conduct verification checks remotely in accordance with waiver-specific terms and conditions, streamlining operations while maintaining safety oversight.

Sky Elements’ Sky Command GCS meets Tier 1 system requirements, while its Drone Show Software meets Tier 2 requirements. The company said it orchestrated many successful drone light shows throughout 2025 using the Sky Command system.

Initial funding from Sky Elements

The DLSA said it encourages all operators to review the organization’s published standards and consider incorporating them into their own FAA waiver applications. However, each operator remains solely responsible for guaranteeing compliance with their specific FAA waiver terms, 14 CFR Part 107 (the FAA regulation covering drones), and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Adoption of DLSA standards does not guarantee FAA approval of waiver applications, the organization said.

The DLSA will be fully funded by Sky Elements during its first year of operation to remove financial barriers to membership. Beginning in year two, membership dues will be assessed by tiers based on organizational size, following the proven model established by the American Pyrotechnics Association.

The organization said it will operate as a neutral forum for collaboration, welcoming operators of all sizes and equipment manufacturers committed to safety standardization and regulatory compliance. Founding members will have the opportunity to review membership materials, discuss governance structure, review the published standards, and provide input on future organizational priorities.

Don’t miss what’s next. Subscribe to Dallas Innovates.

Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.