Drone News

DFW drone company Sky Elements adds cutting-edge twist: drones with fire

Sky Elements drone and fireworks

Photo courtesy of Sky Elements

A Dallas-Fort Worth business known internationally for its award-winning drones has logged an achievement: Sky Elements, the North Richland Hills company that produces hundreds of drone light shows throughout the U.S. and internationally, made history in May by flying the first-ever pyro drone show in the U.S.

According to a release, the North Richland Hills-based drone company flew 300 drones in the pattern of a bald eagle, as 12 drones rigged with pyrotechnics-fired firework waterfalls on the tips of the wings. There's a cool video here.

They're the first drone light show company in the U.S. to earn FAA approval to fire pyrotechnics from drones.

Pyro drone shows combine a traditional drone light show, but with some drones outfitted with pyro devices. These drones can be triggered to fire at any point in the show, creating trails of waterfalls, shooting stars, and additional effects.

"The technology has been in use in the Middle East and Asia for quite some time, but it's the first time in the U.S.," says Sky Elements production manager Tyler Kubicz.

The company petitioned the FAA more than two years ago and after a 26-month wait, the FAA finally granted them a waiver to fly pyrotechnics on drones.

Drones have been an increasingly popular alternative to fireworks, whose loud booms can cause discomfort for some people and terrify pets and wildlife. The July 4th holiday represents an annual recurring nightmare for animal shelters who become overrun with fearful loose pets, and some cities have foregone old-school firworks entirely.

Sky Elements, which has broken six Guinness World Records including putting on the largest drone show in Texas by flying 1,001 drones, performed 40 shows in 2023 for the holiday weekend, and is set to execute double the number this year. A Sky Elements holiday drone show at a Keller home won ABC's Great Christmas Light Fight last December.

But many cities still cling on to the old-fashioned fireworks display.

"Unfortunately, many municipalities must choose between them for their annual celebrations," Kubicz says.

Blending fireworks with drone shows is a way to incorporate both old and new technologies, and the fireworks that are part of a drone display do not make noise.

Since the technology only just became available, Kubicz says they don't know when it will first appear in public — but Sky Elements will definitely be putting on a number of drone shows in Dallas-Fort Worth this year.

REALITY CHECK

Bravo reveals premiere date for bawdy small-town Texas reality show

Still courtesy of Bravo

Small Town Trouble: Texas premieres November 18.

Bravo is not pitching its latest reality romp as The Real Housewives of Boerne. But minutes into the new trailer for Small Town Trouble: Texas, one of the cast warns, “Don’t talk about my husband,” following in the footsteps of Lisa Rinna, Wendy Osefo, and Meredith Marks.

In other words, viewers will get what they came for when the series premieres on November 18, gussied up in a pair of sparkly knee-high boots. Small Town Trouble is set in Boerne, a Hill Country suburb 30 minutes outside of San Antonio.

According to the series description, Small Town Trouble (nee Secrets, Lies, Texas Wives) “follows a charming yet unconventional group of wives, mothers, and social insiders alongside their respective husbands, as conservative values of small-town life collide with forbidden attraction, messy friendships, and shocking secrets.”

One of the key revelations appears to be the fact that some women are attracted to women (gasp), even if they're married to men.

"You would be surprised how many women are married with traditional families, but also sleeping with women," says former Big Brother star Aaryn Williams in a confessional. "It's a lot."

That’s contrasted with castmate Hailey Head, who is shown kneeling in front of a cross in the trailer — and wearing a diamond-encrusted one around her neck. But she’s dealing with her own drama with partner Josh Marsalis.

Other castmates include recovering evangelical Annari Uys, self-professed “Queen of Boerne” Alli McAnelly, and preacher’s daughter Gabby Hernandez Huffman. The latter met husband Jordan Huffman on a sugar babies site, adding to what might amount to a 2026 redux of “Harper Valley PTA.”

It remains to be seen whether Bravo’s famously opinionated audience will take to the new series. The network has dipped its toes into Texas for two failed series, first with Real Housewives of Dallas in 2016 and then in San Antonio for the one-season Texicanas.

But viewers should probably be prepared to hold their saddles tight. Small Town Trouble: Texas premieres with a two-hour episode at 8 pm on November 18 on Bravo. Episodes will stream the next day on Peacock. You can watch the trailer below: