Can You Fly a Drone at Night?

Yes, you can fly a drone at night under Part 107. That was not always the case. Before 2021 you needed a waiver to do it. The FAA updated the rules and now night operations are allowed without a waiver as long as you meet the requirements. Here is everything you need to know.

What Changed in 2021

In April 2021 the FAA finalized new rules under Part 107 that removed the waiver requirement for night operations. Before that update, flying after dark required a formal waiver application, a safety case, and FAA approval — a process that could take weeks.

Now you can fly at night without a waiver as long as your drone is equipped with proper anti-collision lighting. That is the main requirement.

Why does this matter for the exam? Because a lot of study materials were written before 2021 and still say you need a waiver for night flight. If you are using old resources you might have the wrong answer locked in. The current rule is no waiver needed, proper lighting required.

When Does Night Actually Start?

This is where the exam gets people. The FAA definition of night is not the same as sunset. Under Part 107, night is defined as the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight.

Civil twilight ends 30 minutes after sunset. Civil twilight begins 30 minutes before sunrise. So you have a 30-minute window after the sun goes down that is still technically daytime under Part 107 rules.

The Anti-Collision Lighting Requirement

To fly at night under Part 107, your drone must have anti-collision lighting that is visible from at least 3 statute miles and has a flash rate sufficient to avoid collision. A few things worth knowing about this:

• It must flash. A steady light does not count as anti-collision lighting. The light needs to blink.
• 3 statute miles visibility. The light must be visible to other pilots and observers from that distance. Most standard drone lights do not meet this spec out of the box.
• Most consumer drones need an aftermarket strobe. The built-in lights on popular consumer drones typically do not meet the 3-mile visibility requirement. Pilots who fly at night regularly usually add a dedicated strobe light.
• The remote pilot still has to maintain visual line of sight. Night flight does not change the VLOS requirement. You still need to be able to see and control your drone. That can be genuinely difficult in the dark even with lighting on the drone.

All the Other Part 107 Rules Still Apply

Night operations do not get special treatment beyond the lighting requirement. Every other Part 107 rule applies exactly the same way after dark:

• 400 foot AGL altitude limit
• 3 statute miles minimum visibility
• 500 feet below clouds, 2,000 feet horizontal cloud clearance
• Airspace authorization requirements for Class B, C, D, and surface Class E
• No flying over people without a waiver
• Visual line of sight must be maintained

That last point is the one that catches people out in practice. Maintaining visual line of sight at night is hard. You can see your strobe light but knowing the orientation and attitude of your drone in the dark takes experience.

Recreational Flyers at Night

Recreational flyers follow a different set of rules under the FAA's recreational guidelines. They can also fly at night but are subject to community-based safety guidelines rather than Part 107 specifically. If you are flying commercially, Part 107 is what governs you.

Practical Tips for Night Flying

The rules say you can do it. Whether it is smart depends on the situation. A few things that make night operations go better:

• Scout the location during daylight first so you know the obstacles, terrain, and hazards before the lights go out.
• Use a visual observer. Having a second set of eyes tracking the drone while you focus on the controller makes a real difference at night.
• Check your lighting battery. A strobe that dies mid-flight puts you in violation and leaves you flying a drone you cannot easily see.
• Give yourself more altitude buffer than usual. Obstacles that are easy to spot in daylight are invisible at night.
• Check airspace more carefully. TFRs and temporary restrictions pop up frequently at night around events, stadiums, and other venues.

Quick Reference: Night Flying Under Part 107