FAA 107 Night Operations & Waiver Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the original Part 107 rules (before the 2021 NPRM update), what was required to fly a sUAS at night?
- A waiver from the FAA authorizing night operations (Correct answer)
- Anti-collision lighting only
- No special authorization was needed
- A COA from the FAA
Correct answer: A waiver from the FAA authorizing night operations
Before the 2021 rule change, night operations required an FAA waiver because Part 107 prohibited flight at night without authorization.
Question 2: Since the FAA's 2021 rule update, what is the minimum anti-collision light visibility requirement for night sUAS operations?
- 1 statute mile
- 3 statute miles (Correct answer)
- 2 statute miles
- 5 statute miles
Correct answer: 3 statute miles
The 2021 Part 107 update requires anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles during night operations.
Question 3: A remote pilot is flying at dusk and anti-collision lights are not functioning. What must the pilot do?
- Reduce altitude below 200 feet AGL
- Land immediately and not continue the operation (Correct answer)
- Notify ATC before continuing
- Fly only over unpopulated areas
Correct answer: Land immediately and not continue the operation
Without functioning anti-collision lights, night sUAS operations are not permitted, so the pilot must land the aircraft.
Question 4: Which of the following scenarios requires a Part 107 waiver even after the 2021 rule updates?
- Flying at night with anti-collision lights visible for 3 SM
- Flying over moving vehicles on a public road without a waiver
- Flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) (Correct answer)
- Flying at 400 feet AGL in Class G airspace
Correct answer: Flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
BVLOS operations remain prohibited without a waiver under Part 107 even after the 2021 updates.
Question 5: What does the FAA consider 'civil twilight' for the purpose of anti-collision lighting requirements?
- 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset (Correct answer)
- The period from sunrise to sunset only
- 60 minutes before sunrise to 60 minutes after sunset
- 15 minutes before sunrise to 15 minutes after sunset
Correct answer: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
Civil twilight spans 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, and anti-collision lights are required during this period.
Question 6: Which publication would a remote pilot consult to determine local civil twilight times?
- FAA Safety Team (FAAST) bulletins
- The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
- The Air Almanac or equivalent source (Correct answer)
- NOTAM system only
Correct answer: The Air Almanac or equivalent source
The Air Almanac or a comparable source provides precise civil twilight times for specific locations and dates.
Question 7: A remote pilot applying for a Part 107 waiver to conduct night BVLOS operations must demonstrate what in the application?
- That the operation will occur below 200 feet AGL at all times
- That the proposed operation can be safely conducted under the terms of the waiver (Correct answer)
- That a visual observer will be present at all times
- That operations will be limited to Class G airspace only
Correct answer: That the proposed operation can be safely conducted under the terms of the waiver
Waiver applicants must demonstrate to the FAA that their specific operation can be conducted safely under the proposed waiver conditions.
FAA 107 Night Operations & Waiver Requirements 2
Under the original Part 107 rules (before the 2021 NPRM update), what was required to fly a sUAS at night?