Dear LPG,

I am usually one of those people who is quite happy to avoid new inventions but, about a year ago, I found myself absolutely intrigued with one particular gismo.  At the time I wrote to LPG about my nephew’s drone which made its appearance at a family picnic and, in spite of all the adverse publicity that they courted at the time I really felt I had to have one. (►►►) 

When I was a child I was lucky enough to have a remote control car.  There was something magical about the element of control it gave me while just on the ground, and after seeing what his could do in the air, the thought of having that extra level of control was something that I really wanted to experience.  I kept on at him until my nephew helped me buy a small one; the plan being that he would teach me the legal and technical aspects of not getting myself into trouble with it.  During the past year I am sure that you will not be surprised to learn that I have not had a lot of opportunity to use it much but, rules, weather, atmospheric conditions and Covid-19 permitting, when he has had the time I have really enjoyed my time with it.   I still think that the element of sky control, and the arial pictures that even I have produced, are really special.  But I have seen a whole new side to what they can do if you swap the camera for a light and get another hundred or so.

I came across some videos showing how they can be used a bit like an unmanned version of the red arrows with the result that they can produce the most mind-boggling light shows in the sky.

It is often the case that you see something and you want it, but in spite of the fact that I can please myself these days when it comes to what I do with my life, I know that I will never have the computer knowledge or finances to produce a display such as those I have recently seen courtesy of the internet.  I think that one day such shows will take over from the fireworks that we have become used to but I have found some You Tube footage that might interest fellow readers…

IB, Bickley

IB shares some footage of the drone light shows he is talking about…

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… and the work that goes into producing them…

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LPG would just like to remind readers about the revised rules surrounding the privately owning and licensing of drones.  And add some footage of the 2021 New Year light firework and drone display for those who missed it  (►►►).