Can Part 107 drone pilots fly at night without a waiver?

Yes, since April 21, 2021, Part 107 pilots can fly at night without a waiver if they meet two conditions: they have completed the updated Part 107 knowledge test or recurrent training that covers night operations, and their aircraft has an anti-collision light visible for at least 3 statute miles with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision.

What are the anti-collision light requirements for Part 107 night operations?

The FAA rule in 14 CFR 107.29 requires that the anti-collision light be visible for at least 3 statute miles, have a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision, and be mounted on the top of the aircraft so it is visible from above. The remote pilot in command may reduce but may not extinguish the light intensity if operating conditions make that decision necessary for safety.

Do recreational flyers need the same equipment for night operations?

Recreational flyers operating under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations are subject to the safety guidelines of a community-based organization, and those guidelines generally require anti-collision lighting for night flights. The exact requirements depend on the CBO whose guidelines the recreational flyer has chosen to follow.

When did previous night operation waivers expire?

The FAA terminated all prior Part 107 waivers authorizing deviation from the old daylight-only requirement on May 17, 2021. Pilots who had been flying at night under a waiver were required to transition to the new rule by that date. Anyone flying at night under Part 107 after May 17, 2021 must comply with the new knowledge, training, and equipment requirements.

What counts as "night" for Part 107 operations?

The FAA defines night as the period from the end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight, which varies by date and latitude. Civil twilight is the time when the center of the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon. The FAA Notices to Airmen publication provides exact civil twilight times for each location and date.

Regulations

Part 107 Night Operations Guide

By Best Drone Reviews Team · April 11, 2026 · Updated April 11, 2026

Part 107night flyingFAAregulations

For the first four years of Part 107, flying a drone at night for commercial purposes required a waiver from the FAA. Pilots had to submit a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization request, wait for the agency to review it, and document compliance with specific safety conditions. That all changed on April 21, 2021, when new FAA rules took effect allowing routine night operations without a waiver, provided pilots and aircraft meet specific requirements. This guide walks through the current night operations rule, the anti-collision lighting specifications, the training requirements, and what counts as night under federal regulation.

The relevant regulation is 14 CFR 107.29, the section of Part 107 titled "Operation at night." The text of the rule spells out the conditions under which a Part 107 remote pilot in command may operate a small unmanned aircraft at night without a waiver. Understanding the exact requirements is the difference between legal night operation and a regulatory violation.

The April 21, 2021 Rule Change

The Operations of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Over People final rule took effect on April 21, 2021. This rule package updated several provisions of Part 107, including Section 107.29, to permit routine night operations under specific conditions. The updated Part 107 knowledge test and recurrent training materials became available on March 1, 2021, giving pilots about seven weeks to complete the new training before the rule took effect.

All Part 107 night waivers issued before April 21, 2021 were terminated on May 17, 2021, according to the rule's transition provisions. Pilots who had been flying under an older night waiver had to transition to the new requirements by that date. Since then, the waiver process has been unnecessary for routine night operations.

The Three Requirements for Legal Night Operations

Under 14 CFR 107.29, a Part 107 remote pilot may operate a small unmanned aircraft at night without a waiver if three conditions are met:

Knowledge and training. The remote pilot in command must have completed either the updated initial aeronautical knowledge test (for new pilots) or the updated recurrent training (for existing certificate holders) that covers night operations.
Anti-collision lighting. The aircraft must have lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles, with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision.
Operational compliance. All other Part 107 rules continue to apply, including the 400-foot altitude limit, visual line of sight requirements, airspace authorization requirements, and prohibitions on flight over people or moving vehicles unless separately authorized.

Each requirement has specific details worth unpacking.

Knowledge and Training Requirements

The FAA updated the Part 107 aeronautical knowledge test to include night operations content as part of the 2021 rule package. New applicants taking the initial knowledge test at a Knowledge Testing Center will see questions covering night operations, physiological effects of night flying, and anti-collision lighting requirements.

Existing Part 107 certificate holders must complete updated recurrent training that also covers night operations. The FAA changed the recurrent training process in 2021, replacing the in-person Knowledge Test recurrency requirement with an online training course (ALC-677 on the FAA's online learning platform). The online course covers night operations along with other updated Part 107 content.

A Part 107 pilot who has not completed the updated training cannot legally fly at night even if the aircraft meets the lighting requirement. The training requirement is a prerequisite, not an optional consideration.

Anti-Collision Lighting Specifications

The anti-collision lighting requirement is where most pilots need to take action to achieve compliance. The rule text in 14 CFR 107.29 specifies three characteristics that the lighting must have:

Visibility of at least 3 statute miles. An observer with normal vision at a distance of 3 statute miles (roughly 4.8 km) must be able to see the light in operating conditions. This is a performance requirement, not a specific wattage or lumen specification.
Flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. The light must flash at a rate fast enough to be noticed and interpreted as a collision hazard by another aircraft operator. The rule does not specify an exact flash rate in Hz, leaving room for pilots to choose lighting that meets the performance standard.
Top-mounted visibility. The anti-collision light must be mounted so that it is visible from above the aircraft when in flight. The rule rationale is that manned aircraft crews looking down need to see the drone, which requires the light to be visible from the overhead angle.

Several third-party manufacturers make anti-collision lights specifically designed to meet the 107.29 requirements. The lights are small, lightweight, and typically mount to the top of the drone body or to a landing gear leg with a flat top position. Popular options are LED strobe modules from brands like FoxFury, Lume Cube, Flytron, and similar companies. DJI sells a first-party top-mounted strobe for several drones in its lineup.

The regulation allows the remote pilot in command to reduce the intensity of the anti-collision light, but not to extinguish it, if operating conditions make a reduction necessary for safety. An example would be when the pilot's night vision is being compromised by the light's reflection off the drone's airframe during close-in operations. Full extinguishing is not permitted under any circumstances during night flight.

When "Night" Begins and Ends

The FAA defines night for Part 107 purposes as the period from the end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight. Civil twilight is the period when the center of the sun is between the horizon and 6 degrees below the horizon. During civil twilight, some ambient light remains from the sun below the horizon.

Civil twilight times vary by date and geographic location. A flight at the same wall clock time may be in daylight, civil twilight, or night depending on the time of year and latitude. The FAA publishes civil twilight tables, and most weather apps and flight planning tools show civil twilight times for a given location.

Flights during civil twilight are not classified as night flights under Part 107, but they are close enough to night conditions that anti-collision lighting is still a prudent safety measure even when not strictly required.

Other Part 107 Rules That Still Apply at Night

The night operations rule does not suspend or modify any other Part 107 requirement. Pilots operating at night must continue to comply with all standard Part 107 rules, including:

400-foot altitude limit above ground level. The altitude ceiling is the same at night as during the day.
Visual line of sight. The remote pilot in command or a visual observer must maintain visual contact with the drone at all times. This is more difficult at night and often requires additional lighting on the aircraft beyond just the anti-collision strobe.
Airspace authorization. Controlled airspace still requires LAANC or manual authorization at night. Some LAANC Facility Map ceilings differ for day and night operations.
Operations over people. Flight over people or moving vehicles at night is restricted to the same categories defined for daylight operations and requires the same compliance with weight and injury-prevention standards.
Weather minimums. The 3-mile visibility and cloud clearance requirements for small UAS operations apply equally to night flights.

Practical Considerations for Night Flying

Meeting the regulatory requirements is the baseline for legal night operations, but the practical challenges of night flying go beyond compliance. Visual line of sight is harder to maintain when the drone is backlit by a dark sky. Obstacle identification is harder without ambient light. Judging distance is more difficult. Landing area selection requires more caution because surface hazards may not be visible from the cockpit.

Pilots planning their first night operation under Part 107 should consider starting with a well-lit environment (such as a parking lot with overhead lighting) and flying in familiar airspace before attempting more challenging conditions. Additional aircraft lighting beyond the required anti-collision strobe, such as navigation lights or underbody LED strips, can help maintain visual orientation during the flight.

Final Notes

Part 107 night operations have been legal since April 21, 2021, and the requirements are well defined in 14 CFR 107.29. The three compliance elements (training, anti-collision lighting, and continued compliance with all other Part 107 rules) are achievable for any serious commercial pilot. Anti-collision lights compatible with the rule are affordable and easy to install on most consumer and enterprise drones.

Pilots who have not completed the updated Part 107 training (or whose training is out of date) should handle that before their next night flight. Aircraft lighting compliance can be verified by checking the manufacturer's specification sheet for the strobe module and confirming that it advertises visibility at 3 statute miles or more.