Flying YOUR Drone at Night in 2024: What YOU Need to Know!

[@backyard3749]

Interesting: Flying a drone, you are limited to Line of Sight. So in the daytime, any more than about 1/2 a mile or so (sometimes much less than that), you cannot see the drone (unless you have a visual observer out there somewhere). But with a strobe on at night you can see the strobe three miles away and you are then legal VLOS.

[@atetraxx]

this must be why everyone is seeing lots of drones at night these past several years. Freaking everyone tf out. Sbhould probably change that law then.

[@ChrisMuncy]

Been loving the videos, thanks for keeping us updated.

[@uavcoach]

We appreciate the support! Blue skies and safe flying!

[@lookmanostrings]

Question, if my drone is under 250g and I add the strobe, it may go over 250, so then I have to register my drone?

[@1stAmendmentDrone]

Correct. It must weigh 249 grams or less combined.

[@lookmanostrings]

@@1stAmendmentDrone that's what I thought. Crap. LOL.

[@fortyfour6626]

Registering isn’t a big deal at all. At least get the trust certificate.

[@1stAmendmentDrone]

the trust is the easiest test in history @@fortyfour6626

[@freewaypoptaste5086]

What if u don't get it registered

[@BIGPAPAFOOT]

Hello everyone. I am newish over tbe last month flying a cheap drone...I don't have my part 107 but I do have a strobe that can be seen for 5 miles...Can I fly at night 400 feet uncontrolled airspace? There is so much info everywhere, but I want to stay legal.. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CORRECT 😞 I want to film Christmas lights TONIGHT for a special Christmas party my sister is having. I just about 1 hour ago unboxed my new dji mini 4 pro. Can someone tell me if I can? Thank you so much. I love this community ❤

[@uavcoach]

Thanks for the support! Yes, you can fly at night 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace as a recreational pilot if you have anti collision lights. Just remember to follow the regular rules for flying a drone.

[@TampaGigWorker]

What drone was that you are flying in the last part of the video?

[@uavcoach]

The DJI Air 2S

[@TampaGigWorker]

​@uavcoach do you think the Air3 would get good results at night in the city? It's a toss up between the air3, mav classic and the avata2.. I have about $1500 to spend and all 3 have trade offs but are good in their own ways..

[@drone_angles]

I thought a strobe light was needed 30min before sunset through the night to 30 min after sunrise? The 30 min before sunset and after sunrise is Civil Twilight? Is this not correct? Thanks!

[@camperchris6639]

30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise

[@atetraxx]

@@camperchris6639 thats odd. should be the other way around.

[@lookmanostrings]

Love the new light and desk setup!! 🙌

[@uavcoach]

Thank you! Blue skies and safe flying!

[@U2GuitarTutorials]

I took my DJI Mavic 3 Cine out tonight and the altitude was capped at a few meters. Are some areas capped by the software?

[@uavcoach]

From my experience, sometimes my altitude will be capped for 20-30 seconds as it tries to update the home point. This happens both at night and during the daytime. I usually just wait it out, so maybe try that. But let me know if it looks like a different problem. Sometimes it can be difficult for the drone because at night, most of its sensors are turned off or don't work, so it might take some time for it to register the area around it.

[@otszzz79]

Had that earlier in the daytime. I tought it was because the gps was lagging. As soon the gps activated and saved homepoint, I was good to go

[@flhandster4395]

What's your opinion on the best color of light that can be seen at the greatest distance away? Does the FAA have a placement recommendation for the night flight lights? Thanks in advance for your time and reply.

[@uavcoach]

The best color of light for a drone flying at night is typically white or red. And the FAA does not specify a specific placement, but most recommend placing the light on the top of the drone to ensure maximum visibility from all angles

[@Barabbas7798]

Can you have only navigation at night

[@donovanw.2943]

Thanks for the helpful info.

[@uavcoach]

Glad it was helpful! Blue (or clear) skies and safe flying!

[@Ralph073]

When you add a light for Night time flying..Are you adding Extra Weight that Might place you OVER the .55 lbs limit?

[@uavcoach]

Yes, the LumeCube Strobe Light is 10 grams, so for most drones, you would be going over the .55 lbs limit. If it is over, you would have to register your drone.

[@tonyholmes4788]

Yes but it wouldn’t matter unless u have a mini

[@link7935]

03:45: According to 14 CFR 107.29c, the current(September 16 2023) "twilight" is 30 minutes before sunrise, and 30 minutes after sunset. NOT AN HOUR BEFORE SUNRISE. New pilots, remember to keep up to date with rules. This video was only posted 10 days before my comment. Rules could have easily changed in that much time. Regardless, always read the rules BEFORE you fly, in case they changed!

[@link7935]

This will vary by country btw. What I mentioned is just the USA

[@johnnylangland720]

“ Physician.. heal thyself “ .. the admonition to keep up with the drone rules would be wisely heeded by Adam. I’ve flown fixed wing professionally for more than 30 years and the definition of “ twilight “ .. 30 minutes before and after sunrise has NOT changed. The fact that the being posted 10 days before “ my comment “ would be better phrased, “‘ sorry I made a mistake. “ The integrity meter just went down !

[@jdmlife1000]

I'm confused can a I fly my drone at night recreationally?

[@link7935]

@jdmlife1000 Look into 107.29. You will need a waiver it seems(US only)

[@link7935]

@@jdmlife1000 As for recreationally, I dont think so from what I'm reading. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can answer

[@dennisx4492]

So if I'm understanding correctly I can fly 3 hours after sunset and it would be okay

[@ProphojFocus]

Thank you I'm learning a lot from you. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME OUT ABOUT APP THAT I CAN USE TO CONNECT A19 DRONE, THE CAMERA DIDNT WORK OR CONNECT, I KNOW ITS A LOW BUDGET DRONE BUT I WANT TO USE IT FOR LEARNING PLEASE. THANKS

[@gregforal9646]

My only comment, those weddings shots flying over the crowd is breaking regulations (even with a

[@Schiznt13]

Reas the regs. If the subjects are directly involved, flying over them is legal.

[@freewaypoptaste5086]

I tried to fly at night but. The drone wouldn't start do to low. Vision

[@slickrate]

I thikn the recurrent test is needed if your 107 cert was approved before the new rules. If you have it post the change you should be good right? I recently got mine a few months ago and the new rules for night flying were questions on the test.

[@uavcoach]

Correct! Here is a direct quote from an FAA employee I gathered while doing research for this video: "The remote pilot in command of the small unmanned aircraft has completed an initial knowledge test or training, as applicable, under § 107.65 after April 6, 2021"

[@StringrPress]

Wait your saying that I can take the Part 107 exam online on the FAA website instead of taking it at a airport?

[@uavcoach]

No, you still need to take the Part 107 exam in person at a testing center near you. After you pass the exam, you will have to renew your pilot's license every 2 years. This part is done online.

[@Striderx220]

@@uavcoachif we have the part 107 license and did the recurrent test, do we need to take the regular test to fly a drone recreationally?

[@msmd3295]

Are you sure about surveillance around a nuclear power plant or other what would normally be considered “secure facilities”?

[@demtasos]

Excellent presentation ! Gongrats !

[@uavcoach]

Appreciate it! Blue skies and safe flying!

[@alanabley525]

If you have pt 107 but only fly at night for fun do you still need to pass this test?

[@fortyfour6626]

If you have a 107 you can fly whenever you want. If you are under 249 grams and flying for fun, you don’t need a license even at night but you do have to adhere to the strobe rule and the rest……if I understand the way it’s written correctly. I could be wrong

[@Majuubean]

How do I fly my mini 2 SE at night ? @@fortyfour6626

[@MichaelPatterson23]

Does flying your UAS at night looks like is flying slower?

[@uavcoach]

From my experience I didn't see or feel like my drone was flying slower, but that might be because it's hard to perceive the distance between the drone and other objects at night.

[@jeffchilders236]

Man I was flying my drone at night and something knocked it out of the sky I didn't find any feathers or anything like that cuz I thought it might have been a hawk or a big owl cuz I live in West Virginia in the mountains busted both arms off the left side

[@TwinsFan0492]

Mothman

[@robertlu893]

@@TwinsFan0492lmao

[@jmac8092]

Weight?

[@uavcoach]

The LumeCube Strobe Light is 10 grams.

[@nightlightabcd]

Do people have to take a two hour test to carry a gun or assault weapon?

[@camperchris6639]

Yup

[@atetraxx]

@@camperchris6639 not in most states no. They really should. kind of insane most states do not require this right?

[@jacobarsenault7760]

That clip of the cn tower was a highly illegal shot. If the person did not get approval and have the advanced license

[@uavcoach]

We got that shot from stock footage, so hoping the pilot did get approval and have their proper license. Good eye though!

[@fortyfour6626]

5 seconds in and a law already broken. As written, the way I interpret it, you can fly across a street with traffic but not inline over it.

[@uavcoach]

For flying over a street with traffic or any moving vehicles, pilots operating under Part 107 might need a waiver for that exact scenario, so hopefully the pilot was following the FAA's guidelines. You can read more about it here: www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waivers

[@fortyfour6626]

@@uavcoach well, there’s the law!

[@JohnSmith-sz8qq]

pretty sure if you fail the part 107 you need to pay to take it again - no extra attempts until perfect

[@uavcoach]

Correct - I was talking about the recurrent training course that you have to take every 2 years.

[@marcterryjadal6520]

👍👍

[@uavcoach]

😄

[@Themachinewon]

The whole strobe light thing is a joke… Anyone flying around at 400 ft won’t even see it, until it hits it.

[@fortyfour6626]

I don’t agree. I have strobes that can be seen for 5 miles. I took a few videos of them. Having said that, the law is written stupid anyway and is up for interpretation….there is no “standard” for brightness of luminosity. They say “can be seen for 3 miles”. Everyone’s vision is different and to me it’s too subjecting. The “strobe” part is also written loosely. My question is what should the timing be exactly? I’ve seen planes with strobes that are more of a blink. What defines a strobe? What pace? I put a firehouse arc V on top for all my night flights that is 1100 lumen which can be seen for miles. Again, the law is so loose. Thing is that after dark around here, nothing is flying at 350-400 anyway. Nothing. If a 767 into Tampa is anywhere near under even 1500….my drone is the least of their worries. I keep flightradar on and always decend even when I have no good reason. Just some thoughts on it. I have a couple videos of my strobes I left public if you want to see what I’m referring to.

[@otszzz79]

Glad the rules are not so strict here in the Philippines.

[@runningfree4606]

The strobe lights are not for you to see the drone but for helicopters to see it and that's why the lights have to be put on top of the drone.

[@otszzz79]

@runningfree4606 regulations in the philippines only require that for night time

[@robertlu893]

@@otszzz79 that’s the same here you have to have your navigation lights on all the time. The strobe lights for at night and they have to be on top of the drone in the US.

[@ctvxl]

Much ado about nothing.

[@pedzsan]

Why not just cut to the chase and tell me what your title and lead in implies??? “Why would you want to fly at night?” What a totally lame distraction. Get to the point!

[@STALKER953]

Because youtube doesn't give money for videos shorter than 5 or 6 minutes.

[@pedzsan]

@@STALKER953 Could they load all the info up front and then just play gentle music for 12 hours? Does any real person check?

[@atetraxx]

@@pedzsan watch time matters. The watch time would be very short then