14 CFR 107.29 — Daylight Operation
Small UAS may only be operated during daylight or civil twilight with anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles.
Regulation Text
No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during night, except during civil twilight if the small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles that has a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision.
Note: This is an excerpt. Refer to the full regulation in eCFR for the complete text.
Plain-English Explanation
Drones can fly during daylight and during civil twilight (30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset) if equipped with anti-collision lights visible from 3 miles. Night operations beyond civil twilight require a waiver under Part 107.200. This was updated in 2021 to allow civil twilight operations with lighting — previously, any operation after sunset required a waiver. Anti-collision lighting is a simple requirement that dramatically increases the drone's visibility.
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Related Regulations
14 CFR 107.51 — Operating Limitations for Small Unmanned Aircraft
Maximum altitude 400 feet AGL, maximum speed 100 mph (87 knots), maximum weight 55 pounds, minimum visibility 3 statute miles.
§107.3114 CFR 107.31 — Visual Line of Sight Aircraft Operation
The remote PIC or visual observer must maintain visual line of sight with the drone at all times during flight.
§107.1214 CFR 107.12 — Requirement for a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small UAS Rating
Requires a remote pilot certificate to operate small UAS for commercial purposes. Must pass knowledge test or hold Part 61 pilot certificate with current flight review.
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