In night filming, stable, efficient, and continuous lighting is crucial to ensuring high-quality production. Recently, the Dongyang Hengdian Film and Television Base introduced 30 tethered drone lighting systems provided by Nanjing Airfly Chuangli Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. (“Airfly Tethered”), successfully achieving high-intensity, long-duration supplemental lighting for nighttime short drama shoots. This project has become an innovative model of integrating low-altitude economy with the film industry.
Figure 1: Diverse Lighting Product Line and Solutions
1. Project Background
As the largest and most influential film and television production base in China, Dongyang Hengdian Film City undertakes numerous film, TV, and online short drama productions annually. Night filming demands high-performance lighting systems, yet traditional lighting equipment faces challenges such as complex wiring, limited mobility, and constrained power supply. To improve shooting efficiency and image quality, the production team deployed DJI M600 Pro drones equipped with Airfly Tethered’s independently developed tethered power and lighting systems, creating an innovative “airborne mobile lighting rig.” This approach effectively replaces traditional bulky crane lights, which often fail to provide sufficient low-altitude illumination.
2. Solution
Each drone in the project is equipped with 12 L800 lighting units, covering an effective area of 30,000 square meters with a total illuminance reaching 300,000 lumens. The DJI M600 Pro, combined with the complete Airfly tethered system, includes:
· G7 Tethered Box: Provides 750V high-voltage DC output and supports automatic retraction of 100-meter cables, supplying continuous power and signal transmission to the drone and mounted devices.
· Two Ultra-Thin WF4 Onboard Power Modules:
o One module converts the high-voltage DC from the tethered box into a stable 50V (12S) power supply, delivering up to 4,000W with over 97% efficiency, ensuring real-time stable voltage for the drone.
o The second module directly supplies regulated power to 12×1,800W lighting units. This domestic first-of-its-kind solution ensures that if the ground power fails, the lights shut down immediately, safeguarding the drone’s battery voltage in emergency landings.
· L800 High-Brightness Lighting Units: Each unit outputs an impressive 26,000 lumens, supports high-voltage direct drive, weighs only 230g, and can be connected in parallel to meet wide-area, high-intensity lighting requirements.
Running three systems simultaneously creates a three-dimensional, multi-angle, shadow-free lighting network, effectively replacing traditional ground lights and greatly improving lighting flexibility and filming quality.
3. Technical Advantages
· Extended Endurance: Powered via tethered cables, completely eliminating battery limitations, supporting continuous drone operations for several hours.
· High Power Output: Capable of supporting heavy payloads and multiple high-intensity lighting units simultaneously.
· Ease of Operation: One-button startup and automatic cable retraction; operators only need basic flight skills.
· Safety and Reliability: Equipped with multiple protections including over-voltage, over-current, short circuit, and over-temperature, suitable for complex shooting environments.
4. Client Feedback
The production team stated:"The Airfly tethered system not only solved the lighting challenges of night shoots but also enhanced the mobility and creative space of the entire crew. The combination of drones and tethered lighting allows us to capture more high-quality shots within limited time, representing a significant upgrade in film production technology."
5. About Airfly Tethered
Nanjing Airfly Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. is a National High-Tech Enterprise dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of tethered systems. The company's technical team continues to delve into the forefront of tethering technology, currently focusing on three major areas:
DJI FC100/M400 tethered cleaning systems, 300,000-lumen ultra-bright film and television lighting systems, and a new generation of lightweight onboard modules.
In the field of onboard modules, the company's A4 model has successfully replaced imported Vicor chip solutions, addressing industry pain points such as long cycles and high costs associated with traditional modules.
The WF6 model (6KW) is perfectly compatible with 750V ground power supply solutions. Both products have successfully bridged technological gaps in tethered onboard modules domestically and internationally, demonstrating Weize's independent R&D capabilities in core components.
The company operates two brands, Kitefly and Airfly, offering products that include tethered power systems, onboard modules, winch systems, and lighting equipment. These are widely used in power inspection, emergency communication, fire safety and security, and film production. The products have been exported to over 80 countries and regions worldwide, serving more than 600 clients. As a core member of the "Star Alliance Low-Altitude Economy Club," the company continues to drive the deep integration of low-altitude economy and industry applications.
