When Day Becomes Night
Use authoritative local times, current training eligibility, and a compliant anti-collision light to plan civil-twilight and night operations.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO
- 01Identify the rule, source, or principle behind this idea: Night operations require the applicable updated knowledge or recurrent training.
- 02Explain the operational effect of this idea: The small UAS must use an anti-collision light visible for at least three statute miles with a flash rate sufficient to avoid collision.
- 03Apply the lesson to a new mission and defend a go, modify, or no-go decision.
01 / MISSION
Begin with the operating problem.
A sunset listing shoot extends twenty minutes after sunset and the aircraft only has steady navigation LEDs.
02 / CORE BRIEF
What the remote pilot needs to know.
Night operations require the applicable updated knowledge or recurrent training.
The small UAS must use an anti-collision light visible for at least three statute miles with a flash rate sufficient to avoid collision.
The remote PIC may reduce light intensity when operating conditions make that safer.
03 / PILOT DECISION
Make the call.
Determine local civil-twilight timing and equip a compliant anti-collision light before entering the period in which it is required.
04 / FIELD CHECK
Put it into the flight plan.
Record official sunset and civil-twilight end times plus the lighting check in the mission brief.
05 / KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Do ordinary red and green navigation LEDs automatically satisfy the night rule?
Reveal the debrief
No. The required anti-collision light must meet the rule's visibility and flashing-performance standard.
RELATED FAA REFERENCES
Verify before you fly.
Educational summary only. Current regulation, FAA approval conditions, manufacturer instructions, and site-specific facts control the operation.