Drones
at events.
What European and Spanish regulations allow and prohibit when there are people underneath, and what the consequences are for a promoter who books a flight that isn't compliant.
A drone can't fly over people. A cablecam can.
DRONES AT EVENTS
In Spain (and in the EU), drones may not be flown over an audience because the risk to third parties shoots up: a failure (battery, link, GPS, propeller, human error, a gust of wind) can end in a fall or impact causing serious injury. That's why, in the "open" category, the rules prohibit operating over gatherings or crowds of people, and any flight over assemblies of people requires moving to the "specific/certified" category with authorisation and mitigations (risk analysis, procedures, etc.).
What it can mean for the festival promoter
Even if the person "flying" is a third party, the promoter can be directly affected on several fronts:
- Immediate halt of the flight and the event
If security or the police detect an unauthorised drone over the site, they can neutralise or seize it and open proceedings, affecting the festival's operations and security plan. There have been recent cases at fairgrounds with drones neutralised and fines proposed.
- Administrative penalties (and who gets them)
The civil aviation offences and penalties regime exists and applies to UAS. In practice:
- The penalty usually goes to the operator, pilot or company carrying out the operation.
- But the promoter may be implicated if it is considered to have promoted, allowed, booked or facilitated an operation in breach of the rules (for example, ordering "fly over the crowd", not requiring permits, integrating it into the show, etc.), or if it appears as the operational lead in the service documentation.
- Civil liability for damage
If an incident occurs (impact, fall, panic, damage to equipment or structures), there may be claims for damages. As organiser, the promoter can end up in the spotlight because of its duty of care and the contracting chain.
- Insurance problems
A non-compliant flight can mean disputed or rejected cover (depending on the policy and its terms), leaving the promoter exposed to claims.
- Impact on permits, relations with the authorities and reputation
A drone incident can generate negative reports, friction with the security operation and significant reputational damage for the festival.
THAT'S WHY LINECAM® IS YOUR SOLUTION
How we approach a flight at an event.
Before promising a shot, we check whether flying is possible, under which conditions and with which permits. And if it is not, we give you the alternative.
- Operation study
Venue, audience, schedule and airspace: we see which flight is possible and where.
- Category and authorisations
We define the operation category and handle the authorisations and coordination required.
- Safe flight
Perimeters, crowd-free areas and emergency procedures agreed with security.
- Plan B: cablecam
Where a drone cannot fly over people, a cablecam can: the aerial shot without that risk.
What it looks like on site.
Questions about the flight at your event?
We'll tell you, with no obligation, what can be flown, with what authorisation and what's better solved another way.