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Do you want to fly your drone at night? The FAA rules for night operations changed in 2021, but many pilots are still missing night-related questions on the Part 107 test because they’re studying old, inaccurate information.
This guide will show you:
- The current FAA night flying regulations
- The best anti-collision strobes and how to mount them
- Tips for flying at night safely
- All Part 107 night test questions & answers you may encounter
Current FAA Night Flying Rules (2025)
Under 14 CFR 107.29, you may fly a drone 24/7 as long as you meet these requirements:
- Remote ID compliance
- Airspace authorization, where required
- Anti-collision strobe light between sunset and sunrise that:
- Is visible for at least 3 statute miles
- Blinks at a sufficient rate to avoid collisions
No waivers are needed for night flight anymore – just a compliant beacon.
Best Anti-Collision Beacons
Built-in navigation lights on most drones do not meet the 3-mile requirement. You need an aftermarket beacon.
Recommended: Firehouse Arc LED strobes. They are available in white, red, and green, with multiple blink patterns, USB-C charging, and strong mounting tape. Affordable, reliable, and widely used by Part 107 pilots.
Where to Mount Your Beacons
- White strobe: Mount on top of the drone so manned aircraft can see it. This is the minimum requirement.
- Optional colored strobes: Red on the left (port), green on the right. These help with orientation at night and even during the day.
Tip: Remember “Red’s not right” – red goes on the left side.
Safety Tips for Night Flying
- Mount strobes on top to avoid camera reflections.
- Use your peripheral vision – look 5–10° off-center for better spotting at night.
- Preserve night vision: Dim your controller screen and avoid bright lights at least 30 minutes before flying.
- Choose a well-lit landing area to ensure safety.
Part 107 Night Flying Test Questions
Below are actual night-related test questions from the FAA and practice banks, presented in multiple-choice format with the correct answers shown. All of these are included in my Part 107 Practice Test.
Question 1
According to 14 CFR Part 107, what is required to operate a small unmanned aircraft in civil twilight or at night?
- A. Use of lighted anti-collision lights
- B. Use of a transponder
- C. Selection of a rural area for conducting the operation
Answer: A. Transponders aren’t allowed, and nowhere in the regulations does it say anything about a requirement to operate in a rural area at night.
Question 2
When conducting operations during civil twilight or at night, the small unmanned aircraft must be equipped with anti-collision lights that are capable of being visible for at least:
- A. 1 statute mile from the control station
- B. 3 statute miles from the control station
- C. 5 statute miles from the control station
Answer: B. We pretty much beat this to death earlier.
Question 3
When does a remote pilot in command operating at night have the discretion to reduce the intensity of the anti-collision lighting?
- A. Never
- B. Only at the start of a night operation
- C. In the interest of operational safety
Answer: C. 14 CFR 107.29 does say the pilot can reduce the intensity in the interest of safety, but can never turn off the lights. A safety reason may be to preserve night vision.
Question 4
To keep the small unmanned aircraft in the intended area and within visual line of sight during night operations, the remote pilot in command:
- A. Should reduce operational ranges
- B. May rely solely on anti-collision lights circuit
- C. Is required to designate two visual observers
Answer: A. The regulations don’t ever require two visual observers, and you also need to be able to see the orientation of your drone by looking at it. This will require shorter ranges.
Question 5
During night operations, compensate for the night blind spot by:
- A. Using bright ground lighting around the remote PIC
- B. Looking 5 degrees to 10 degrees off-center of the small unmanned aircraft
- C. Focusing only on the control station display
Answer: B. The center of our retina, where all of our “cones” are, can’t detect anything at night. Thus, we must use our peripheral vision.
Question 6
If the remote PIC cannot determine the location of the unmanned aircraft in relation to other aircraft during night operations, when should he or she land the small unmanned aircraft?
- A. Immediately
- B. Within 10 minutes
- C. At the end of the planned operation
Answer: A. All aircraft are going to be flying above you if you’re observing the maximum altitude limit. So the quickest way to avoid a collision would be to land as soon as possible. You certainly don’t want to wait!
Question 7
As landing a small unmanned aircraft at night is particularly challenging, select a landing area:
- A. With sufficient lighting to allow a safe landing
- B. That is as far away from crew members as possible
- C. Over water, sand or other soft surfaces
Answer: A. Landing a drone at night is more difficult than during the day, so make sure the landing area is well-lit.
Question 8
Sunset is at 7:32pm, can you fly your small unmanned aircraft at 7:45pm?
- A. No, it’s after sunset
- B. Yes, with an approved anti-collision beacon until 8:02pm
- C. Yes, with an approved anti-collision beacon all night long
Answer: C. We talked about this in the intro, you can now fly all night long with an approved anti-collision beacon. Don’t fall for the old rules.
Question 9
You want to fly in the middle of the night without an anti-collision beacon for a specific job. Is it possible to get a waiver for this?
- A. Yes
- B. No
- C. Only in class G airspace
Answer: A. Flying at night without a beacon is on the list of rules that can be waived. The FAA just wants to see an operational & safety plan when you apply for your waiver, to ensure it can be done safely.
Question 10
You will best adapt your night vision if you avoid bright lights at least:
- A. 10 minutes prior
- B. 30 minutes prior
- C. 2 hours prior
Answer: B. 30 minutes is the magic number for preserving night vision.
Question 11
You plan on operating a night flight in an area with high-intensity lights. What should the pilot in command do?
- A. Use the first person view to avoid the lights
- B. Ensure all lights are turned on prior to the flight
- C. Attempt to have all lights turned off prior to the flight
Answer: C. You’re not allowed to fly FPV under Part 107, and leaving all of those lights on will wreck your night vision and make it difficult to see the drone. Try to get them turned off if you can.
Question 12
How should the control station backlighting be set during a night flight?
- A. As low as possible to preserve night vision
- B. As high as possible to be easy to see
- C. The control station should be turned off
Answer: A. All about night vision, again. Keep it as dim as possible.
Question 13
You’re shopping for an aftermarket anti-collision beacon to place on your unmanned aircraft for night operations. Which requirements do you need?
- A. Flashing strobe visible for three statute miles
- B. Solid light visible for three statute miles
- C. Flashing strobe visible for five statute miles
Answer: A. Ditto.
Final Thoughts
Flying drones at night is safe and legal with the right setup. All you need is an FAA-compliant strobe and a solid understanding of visual limitations at night. If you’re preparing for the Part 107 exam, these are the night questions you can expect – and staying current with updated rules is critical.
For full test prep, including 335 questions and detailed study materials, check out my Part 107 Test Prep Course. Save 20% with code blog20.
Happy (night) flying!