04 MARCH 2025
How long does it take to organize a drone show?
How long does it take for the authorities to authorize an illuminated drone show? Does this vary from show to show? By country?
First, we'll look at drone shows in France, and then abroad.
To begin with, it's important to know that drone shows in France are classified as aerial events.
The amended decree of November 10, 2021, on air events (also known as the “MANIF decree”), defines two frameworks for drone shows:
- MAA
- SAPA.AE
What is a MAA ?
An MAA is a "Manifestation Aérienne Autre".
To determine whether your show qualifies as an MAA, it must meet all of the following conditions:
- It must be organized without calling on the public by means of posters, media advertising or any other means
- It must welcome an audience of less than 5,000 spectators per day, with no foreseeable access to the site by another audience, or where access by any other person is prohibited.
For example, if your show is a private event, organized as part of a corporate seminar or wedding, and is not intended for the general public but for specific guests numbering less than 5,000, it falls under the scope of a MAA. What's more, it must be organized in an enclosed site, such as a reception area, a private beach or one of your own properties.
At Diffuse, we have a generic category operating license valid for two years. This means that we benefit from a “permanent flight permit” issued by the Direction de la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile, which exempts us from the usual three-month delay for processing an operating authorization application.
However, we must always :
- A request for a night flight exemption, to be submitted to the relevant Prefecture 30 days before the show.
- A request for authorization from the relevant air operators (airports, military zones, helipads, etc.).
So, if your show falls within the scope of a MAA, it can be prepared 30 days before your event. Of course, this is subject to the time needed to create the show.
And if your show isn't a MAA, then it's a SAPA.AE!
What is a SAPA.AE ?
A SAPA.AE is a Public Aircraft Airshow without crew on board, subject to an Operating Authorization.
If your show falls into one of the following categories, then it is a SAPA.AE :
- You're expecting over 5,000 spectators a day, with a special area set aside for them.
- You're going to put out a call to the public by means of posters, announcements in the media or any other means.
For example, if your show is a public event, such as a national holiday, Christmas market or festival. Your show is considered to be aimed at the general public, even if the expected number of spectators is less than 5,000.
At Diffuse, we have a generic category operating license valid for two years. This means that we benefit from a “permanent flight permit” issued by the Direction de la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile, which exempts us from the usual three-month delay for processing an operating authorization application.
However, we must always :
- An application for authorization to organize a SAPA.AE, the complete file for which must be submitted 45 days before the event to the Préfecture concerned.
- A request for a night flight exemption, to be submitted to the relevant Prefecture 30 days before the show.
- A request for authorization from the relevant air operators (airports, military zones, helipads, etc.).
So, if your show falls within the scope of a SAPA.AE, it can be prepared 45 days before the date scheduled for your event. Of course, this is subject to the time required for the artistic creation of the show.
As for shows abroad, here too we find two categories:
- Shows performed in EASA.
- Shows performed outside EASA.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) comprises the 27 member countries of the European Union, plus several associated countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, which have signed bilateral agreements with the EU.
If your show is produced within the EASA, our authorization to operate in the specific generic category is recognized in the member state. The flight authorization will be issued following an exchange between the French administration and the administration of the country concerned. However, there may be specific local restrictions in the country concerned, so we recommend that you allow 8 to 6 weeks to apply for permits before the date of the show.
Apart from EASA, we don't have any specific authorizations, so we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible to organize your event. Each country has its own regulations, and we have to comply with them. Please bear in mind that, depending on the scale of the show, the country concerned and the show organizer, deadlines can vary enormously.
In conclusion, our drone shows can be produced:
- In France in 30 to 45 days.
- In Europe in 6 to 8 weeks.
- And worldwide, depending on local regulations.
Please note that this article only covers administrative deadlines, and that our production times can be longer or shorter depending on the artistic complexity of the show requested and the period in which it is scheduled.
Our teams remain at your entire disposal to help you with your project!
