An RI Drone Pilot's Guide To Flying At Night

Nighttime flyovers feel peaceful and serene, and you’d love to bring that atmosphere to your next video project. There’s no better way to capture that footage than with a drone flight. But can you fly a drone at night legally and safely?

Discover the answers below, and find a Rhode Island drone videographer to complete your next drone video project.

Is it legal to fly a drone at night?

Yes, flying drones at night is perfectly legal if you meet certain criteria set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.)

Previously, drone night flights required a special FAA permit. But as of April 2021, you no longer need a permit to fly at night if you follow the rules in Part 107 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Here’s a quick look at some of the FAA’s drone night flying requirements.

• Have a pilot license. Only FAA-certified commercial drone pilots can fly at night.
• Prove your knowledge. The FAA requires commercial drone pilots to prove their aeronautical knowledge every 24 months. You can pass a test or complete an approved training program to qualify
• Have anti-collision lighting. Your drone must have lights that can flash and remain visible for at least three miles to prevent in-air collisions with other aircraft. Some drones have built-in lights, but you can also purchase after-market strobe lights to upgrade your drone for night flight.
• Stay under 400 feet. During both day and night flight, you’ll need to keep the drone under 400 feet. But you can fly higher with special permission from the FAA.

Flying at night in a restricted zone

It’s possible to fly at night in a restricted zone if you get special permission. You’ll need to submit an application to LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability). If your request is approved, you’ll also need to unlock your drone for restricted flights. You can apply to fly in a restricted zone up to 90 days in advance.

Tips for safely flying a drone at night

Once you’ve got any necessary permits, you can plan for a smooth night flight with the following tips

• Know the area. Since your visibility will be reduced, it’s a good idea to visit the area in the daylight first to familiarize yourself with your flight route
• Pack extra lights. Consider bringing a spare set of anti-collision lights so you don’t need to ground your drone in case your first set goes out. It’s also a good idea to bring a set of camping lights to illuminate your drone landing pad.
• Fly high. Keep your drone at a high altitude to steer clear from treetops, powerlines, or other hazards that might interfere with drone flight. Just make sure you stay within the 400-foot ceiling unless you have special permission to go higher.
• Bring a visual observer. If you can, bring another person along to watch the drone. Another set of eyes can help you avoid hard-to-see obstacles as an added safety measure.

When using a visual observer during drone operations at night, the remote pilot in command (PIC), visual observer, and flight controls operator must maintain constant communication. The visual observer's duties include:

• Knowing the drone's location
• Determining the drone's altitude, attitude, and flight direction
• Observing the airspace for hazards or other air traffic
• Ensuring the drone doesn't endanger people or property

The best drones for flying at night

Beyond preparing yourself with drone safety tips, having the right drone can also make a difference. The following factors can help you identify a good drone.

• Night vision. Some drone brands, like models by DJI include night vision and a thermal camera to help you see more clearly while you pilot in low light.
• Anti-collision DJI drones also have anti-collision software that can prevent you from bumping into obstacles as an added level of reassurance during night flights.
• Sensor size. Drone cameras with bigger sensors can capture more light information, allowing you to illuminate a dark scene better.
• ISO range. A camera’s ISO controls how sensitive the drone’s camera is to light. Higher ISOs, typically 1600 or more, are best suited for night filming and photography
• Aperture. The camera’s aperture is the opening in the lens that allows the light to come through. A bigger aperture can allow more light to enter, resulting in better nighttime photos and videos

One of our favorite drones for night flying is the DJI Mavic Cine 3. It has a night vision and thermal camera that can capture professional-quality footage in many different lighting environments

We’re also fond of the DJI Inspire 3, which features an upgraded camera over previous models and has perks for low-light flights, including night vision.

The best drones for flying at night

With these tips, you should be well-prepared for a night of safe drone filming. But if you’d prefer to let a professional take over for your next film or video project, McVeigh Media is here for you.

As professional drone videographers, we have experience flying in a variety of conditions and lighting environments, and we can pull out all the stops to get cinematic footage that you can be proud of. Happy clients include brands like Jaguar and AAA, and we’d love to add your company to the list. Contact us today to learn how we can help on your next drone video project.