You might wonder if you can fly your drone at night? The short answer is yes, but it's important to be aware of the challenges.

Yes, you can fly a drone at night. But, there are different rules and regulations depending on what your purpose is for flying your drone and where you choose to fly it. The rules for night-time flying have changed over the years and in April 2021, the FAA(opens in new tab) (the Federal Aviation Administration) revealed the latest guidance on night-time flying that removed some of the extra stipulations there once was, such as additional waivers.

This is good news, because it means it should be easier for you to take your drone out in the evening. There are still some rules in place though. Here is a basic overview we've put together to help clarify the topic:

1. Your drone must be registered with the FAA
2. Your drone must be equipped with anti-collision lighting
3. You must fly your drone safely and within the FAA’s guidelines
4. You must comply with the FAA’s training and testing requirements if you're flying for commercial purposes

Alongside a drone that meets FAA’s requirements for safe flight, when it comes to night-time flying, you’ll also need to have anti-collision lighting that's visible from three miles away. This lighting must be mounted on top of the drone and must also have a sufficient flash rate to avoid a collision. And if you are a commercial pilot, you are also required to carry out specific training and testing of the FAA’s exacting standards.

If you’re flying for recreational purposes, you don’t need any special training or have to meet any special requirements apart from being equipped with lighting that the FAA states, “allows you to know its location and orientation at all times.”

Alongside the training certification, you’ll also need airspace authorization to fly in controlled airspace under 400 feet. For now, this means getting two authorizations from LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability). If you’re flying above the ceiling of the UAS Facility Maps, you’ll need to go to the FAA DroneZone(opens in new tab) for your authorization.

Best practices for flying a drone at night are to keep your drone within the visual line of sight, and to be aware of your surroundings and your limitations when operating at night.