Choosing the Right Rigging System for Performer Flying

When planning a performer flying effect, the choice of rigging system can make or break both the safety and the artistry of a production. Performer Flying Systems range from traditional cable-driven track systems to 3D Flying Systems that incorporate multiple automated hoists. These systems are responsible for carrying performers smoothly and securely, enabling flights that look effortless to the audience while staying precisely controlled behind the scenes. Selecting the right approach involves balancing creative goals with engineering constraints, and no two projects are ever the same.

Key Considerations in Performer Flying Systems

The first question to answer is capacity. Performer flying requires a system that is rated not just for the static weight of the flyer, but also for the dynamic loads created by acceleration, deceleration, and directional changes. A trolley moving quickly across a track exerts more force on the structure than a static load. Engineers account for this by examining all loading possibilities and then applying a design factor that ensures the rig can handle unexpected surges of force without compromising structural integrity.

Equally important is travel range and geometry. A simple straight track may be suitable for a short flight across stage, but creative directors often demand curves, complex paths, or multiple axes of motion to support a narrative moment. Each of these design elements requires careful attention to the supporting

rigging infrastructure. Roof beams, truss grids, and hang points must be capable of carrying the loads while maintaining alignment across the entire system. A design that looks clean in CAD drawings must be confirmed against the physical venue, where obstructions and headroom limitations often come into play.

Understanding Drive Mechanisms and Control Options

Historically, performer flying systems were powered manually. Today's performances demand the accuracy and repeatability only available in motorized systems with programmable controllers.

The QMotion system offers state of the art programmability for motorized systems including performing flying systems. Advanced automation systems provide complex control multiples axes of motion. In many productions it is not enough to simply move from point A to B. To fufill creative intent, multiple axes of motion are needed.

These Performer Flying Systems allow flying cues to be programmed and repeated, much like lighting cues in a lighting system.The QMotion system offers state of the art programmability for motorized systems including performing flying systems. Advanced automation systems provide complex control multiples axes of motion. In many productions it is not enough to simply move from point A to B. To fufill creative intent, multiple axes of motion are needed. This type of system is known as a 3D Flying System, and can be implemented with three or more automated hoists (winches), precisely timed with music, video, and lighting via SMPTE or other time codes.

Qmotion allows operators and engineers to encode these complex cues into repeatable sequences that are reliable night after night, while still maintaining the ability to adjust and adapt as needed.

The Role of Stabilization in Safe Performer Flying

Any suspended load is subject to sway. Whether you're controlling the movement of an LED panel or a flying performer, controlling the sway can be a key component to successfully fulfilling the artistic intent. Without stabilization, acceleration or a sudden stop can create a pendulum-like oscillation that not only looks unpolished but can also unsettle the performer. High-end rigging control systems incorporate anti-sway systems that reduce unwanted motion and keep the performer on a controlled path. Stabilization is especially critical in curved or multi-axis tracks, where forces change rapidly during travel. All anti-sway design is based on calculations in the rigging control system software.

Comparing Different Performer Flying Systems

Traditional track systems are compact and straightforward, making them ideal for shorter runs or venues with limited space. These systems can feature either a single or dual line connecting to the performer. A single-line system typically attaches to the performer’s upper back, allowing for dynamic, pendulum-style movement. Dual-line systems attach at the hips, offering greater stability and enabling somersaults and other controlled aerial maneuvers. Custom track systems can also be designed for more complex flight paths or scenarios where flight trajectories intersect.

For maximum flexibility in positioning, 3D Flying Systems can incorporate single or multiple lines to the performer. These systems can also be paired with “twisty rings,” allowing performers to both flip in a somersault motion and rotate vertically along their body’s axis, creating especially dynamic aerial sequences.

Each configuration introduces its own trade-offs in cost, facility interface, complexity, and creative freedom.

Challenges and Pitfalls in Track System Design

One of the most common challenges is headroom. Every track system requires structural depth, and older venues or touring productions often do not have the clearance needed for more advanced multi-axis setups. Routing power and control cabling is another challenge. Festoons must be carefully positioned so they do not interfere with scenic elements, and in sightline-sensitive venues this becomes especially delicate. Safety systems must also be built in from the start. Overtravel protection, redundant braking, and emergency retrieval procedures ensure that performers can be safely recovered in the event of a fault. These considerations may not appear in the creative brief, but they are critical to a system that works reliably in practice.

How EPS Designs and Engineers Custom Performer Flying Systems

EPS approaches performer flying as a custom engineering problem that demands both technical precision and creative sensitivity. Using Stage One Creative Services hardware and Qmotion automation software, EPS designs and commissions systems that are purpose-built for each project. Rather than taking a "one size fits all" approach, EPS engineers work with riggers, automation specialists, and creative directors to create a solution that meets the unique load, geometry, and operational requirements of the show.

Stage One’s Performer Flying hoists provide the physical foundation for these systems, built to withstand the stresses of performer flying with reliability and longevity in mind. Qmotion software couples with these systems to be programmed and synchronized with the larger production. Whether the requirement is a simple straight run across stage or a complex multi-axis flight path that weaves through scenery, EPS provides both the hardware integration and the programming expertise to make it happen. The result is a system that can repeat every cue with accuracy while still supporting the artistry of live performance.

Making the Right Decision for Your Project

Choosing the right Performer Flying System is not just a matter of selecting hardware. It is about designing a solution that fits the creative goals, venue limitations, and safety requirements of a production. A smaller venue may be best served by a compact twin-wire track, while a large arena show could demand a multi-axis system integrated into a central automation console. The decision comes down to understanding the specific constraints and opportunities of each project, then engineering a system that safely delivers reliability and creative freedom in equal measure.

Conclusion

Performer flying has the power to transform a production, but only when the technical system behind it is designed with equal parts rigor and imagination. The right Performer Flying System provides not just the means for flight, but the confidence that every performance will be as safe as it is spectacular. EPS brings

the engineering expertise, the Stage One hardware, and the Qmotion programming tools necessary to create systems that meet these high standards.

To discuss your project challenges or goals, contact sales@epssolves.com. The team at EPS is ready to help design the right performer flying solution for your venue or production.