Part 107 night operations

Part 107 permits night operations when the remote pilot has completed the applicable initial or recurrent training covering night operations and the small UAS is equipped with anti-collision lighting visible for at least three statute miles with a sufficient flash rate to avoid collision. The lighting must meet the rule's visibility performance, not just look bright on a bench. Verify the aircraft, battery, mounting, orientation, and local background conditions. A light can be obscured by a payload or become hard to distinguish against urban lighting.

Night permission does not automatically waive other requirements. Airspace authorization, right of way, visual line of sight, operations-over-people restrictions, aircraft condition, and any waiver conditions still apply. Night operations may be conducted under the applicable provisions, but do not assume a waiver or daylight authorization is needed or unnecessary without checking its exact terms. Keep the RPIC's training record and mission briefing current, and consult the current text of §107.29 before operating.

Depth perception, contrast, color cues, and distance judgment degrade at night. A lit aircraft may be visible while its orientation or movement is difficult to interpret. Ground lighting can create false horizons or obscure the drone, and obstacles such as wires may be nearly invisible. A bright display can reduce night adaptation; manage screen brightness and use lighting that lets the pilot monitor controls without losing useful visual cues.

A crew can reduce uncertainty with a site walk, known reference points, a clear launch and recovery area, a visual observer positioned to maintain sight, and conservative altitude and range. Brief how the observer will report traffic or loss of visual contact. If the aircraft's lights, weather, or background make visual line of sight unreliable, shorten the mission or stop. A camera feed or GPS map is not a substitute for unaided visual line of sight as required by the rule.

Check weather for the full mission window; night cooling can bring fog, dew, and changing wind. Inspect lighting power and attachment, confirm battery reserve including added lighting load, and test the link and failsafe before the operation. Identify nearby roads, residences, wildlife, and other aircraft. Plan where the aircraft will land if the primary site becomes unavailable, and avoid hovering over people based on an assumption that darkness makes the operation less noticeable.

Night training covers relevant knowledge, but proficiency with a specific aircraft and site still matters. If the pilot has little recent night experience, begin with a simple route in a controlled environment, not a complex job near obstacles. Keep client expectations aligned with conservative limits. The RPIC should be prepared to cancel if the lighting fails, visual contact is lost, traffic appears, or weather reduces the ability to see and control the operation.