Drones Flying at Night - Rules for Recreational and Part 107 Operators
As of 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced new requirements for flying drones at night under both Part 107 (commercial) and recreational operations. Here's a breakdown of the key changes:
Night Flying Certification
For Part 107 commercial drone pilots, flying at night requires the pilot to have passed the FAA's nighttime operations training as part of the Part 107 certification process or subsequent recurrent training. There is no separate night waiver required anymore if the pilot has completed this training. Recreational pilots, on the other hand, do not need a Part 107 license unless they are flying commercially or beyond recreational limits.
Anti-Collision Lighting
Both Part 107 and recreational drone operators flying at night must equip their drones with anti-collision lighting. This lighting must be visible from at least 3 statute miles and blink or strobe at a rate sufficient to avoid collisions. This lighting enables other pilots and observers to see the drone and helps prevent accidents.
Remote ID Compliance
All drones requiring registration (typically drones over 0.55 pounds or 250 grams) and commercial drone operations must broadcast a Remote ID signal. Drones weighing less than 0.55 pounds for recreational use are exempt from Remote ID, but this exemption is lost if the drone is used commercially. There are three ways to comply with Remote ID: using a drone with built-in Remote ID capability, attaching an FAA-approved Remote ID broadcast module to your drone, or flying exclusively within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) where Remote ID broadcast is not mandatory.
In summary, here's a comparison of the requirements for Part 107 commercial pilots and recreational pilots:
| Requirement | Part 107 Commercial Pilots | Recreational Pilots | |---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | Night Flying Certification | Passed FAA's night operations training (Part 107) | No certification required | | Anti-Collision Lighting| Required; visible 3 miles, blinking/strobing | Required; same lighting standards | | Remote ID | Required for drones >250g; built-in or module or fly in FRIA | Required only if drone >250g; exemptions apply for <250g recreational drones | | Other | Comply with all Part 107 rules including remote ID and airspace restrictions | Follow recreational rules and lighting requirements |
These rules reflect FAA updates effective from 2023 and fully enforced by 2025. The landscape of drone legislation is still in a state of rapid evolution, with the FAA demonstrating support for the drone pilot community by increasing flexibility in operations, such as allowing night flights without waivers. The FAA has stated that all drones being sold in the US will need to have a Remote ID before the end of 2022.
The FAA's night operations training, part of the Part 107 certification process, is mandatory for commercial drone pilots wishing to fly at night. Advanced drone technology, such as anti-collision lighting, is essential for both Part 107 and recreational drone operators flying at night to ensure safety and prevent collisions.
