In this additional feature the drone has the aforementioned
trailing visual element but can deploy and retract it with a
motorized spool.
This would allow the effect of a point of light flying through
the sky (the drone) and suddenly releasing a trail of stars, or
fire.
Likewise, aerial
displays could choreograph the retraction of
these trailing visual elements. A spectacular circling
starburst
pattern, for instance, comes together into a single dot and
disappears.
The reverse effect, the drones all fly out from a central
point
while deploying their "Sky Fire" (tm) trailing elements to
create a fireworks or starburst effect.
It's this retracting system that would allow two drones to
dock and attach to one end of the ribbon as well. The ribbon
in retraction would be much easier to doc to and connect
to. The ribbon or light string trailing several feet behind the
lead drone would be difficult to connect with due to its
movement in the wind.