Night Flights and Special Conditions

Operational Limitations

Introduction

Operating drones at night presents unique challenges and opportunities. As drone technology evolves, night operations are increasingly common, particularly for tasks such as inspections, search-and-rescue missions, and media production. However, flying at night involves additional risks, such as reduced visibility and higher chances of losing situational awareness. To ensure safe and compliant operations, European drone pilots must understand the specific requirements and limitations set forth by EASA regulations.

This lesson will guide you through the key aspects of night flights, including lighting requirements, visibility considerations, risk mitigation strategies, and the need for special authorizations. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to safely and legally operate drones under special conditions, including nighttime operations.

Night Flight Requirements and Limitations

Night flights are permitted under EASA regulations, but they are subject to strict conditions to ensure safety and compliance.

• Permission to fly at night:
  Night flights are only permitted if the operation falls within the framework of the Open, Specific, or Certified categories of drone operations as defined by Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

  • For operations in the Open category, night flights are permitted as long as the drone is equipped with the required lighting and the operation remains compliant with the general rules for this category (Reg 2019/947 Art. 4).
  • For operations in the Specific category, night flights may require an operational authorization based on a risk assessment or compliance with a predefined standard scenario (Reg 2019/947 Art. 11).

• Open category limitations:
  In the Open category, drone pilots must ensure:

  1. The drone stays within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) at all times.
  2. The drone remains below the maximum altitude of 120 meters (Reg 2019/947 Art. 4).

• Specific category requirements:
  Night flights in the Specific category may involve Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, but they require:

  1. Submission of a risk assessment to the competent authority (Reg 2019/947 Art. 11).
  2. Compliance with an approved operational authorization or a standard scenario, such as STS-01 or STS-02 for BVLOS operations (Reg 2020/639).

Lighting Requirements for the Drone

Proper lighting is critical for night flights to ensure visibility and situational awareness for both the drone operator and others in the airspace.

• Mandatory lights:
  All drones operating at night must be equipped with lighting that enables:

  1. Identification of the drone’s position, orientation, and direction of flight.
  2. Avoidance of collisions with other aircraft or obstacles.

• Types of lights:

  • Navigation lights (e.g., red, green, and white) are commonly used to indicate the drone’s position and orientation.
  • Anti-collision lights (e.g., strobe lights) are required for enhanced visibility in the dark.

• Lighting standards:
  Lighting requirements are outlined in Regulation (EU) 2019/945, which specifies technical requirements for drones. For example, drones must be equipped with lights that are visible from a sufficient distance to ensure safety during nighttime operations (Reg 2019/945 Annex Part 1).

Visibility and Weather Considerations

Night operations are inherently riskier due to reduced visibility and changing weather conditions. Drone pilots must carefully assess these factors before flying.

• Visibility requirements:

  • Night flights must be conducted in areas with adequate visibility to maintain VLOS, unless operating under BVLOS authorization.
  • Pilots must avoid flying in areas with fog, heavy rain, or other conditions that could obscure the drone’s lights or camera view.

• Weather checks:

  • Conduct thorough pre-flight weather assessments using reliable sources.
  • Monitor real-time weather updates during the operation to anticipate sudden changes.

• Practical example:
  Imagine you’re conducting a nighttime building inspection. If heavy fog rolls in, you may lose sight of your drone or compromise its ability to send clear video footage. In this case, you must immediately abort the operation to avoid accidents.

Risk Mitigation for Night Operations

Risk mitigation is essential to ensure safe and compliant night flights. Here are key strategies:

1. Pre-flight planning:

   • Perform a detailed risk assessment, considering factors such as location, weather, and surrounding obstacles (Reg 2019/947 Annex Part A).
   • Establish emergency procedures in case of loss of control or technical failure.

2. Use of technology:

   • Equip your drone with advanced sensors (e.g., infrared cameras or LiDAR) to enhance situational awareness in low-light conditions.
   • Use GPS-based navigation systems to maintain precise control during nighttime operations.

3. Team coordination:

   • For complex operations, involve a visual observer who can help monitor the drone and surrounding environment.
   • Ensure all team members are trained in night operation protocols.

4. Real-world scenario:
   For example, conducting search-and-rescue operations at night requires coordination between the drone pilot and ground personnel. The pilot must use thermal imaging cameras to locate individuals while maintaining communication with the rescue team.

Special Authorizations Needed

Certain night operations may require special authorizations depending on the risk level and operational category.

• Open category:
  No special authorization is required for night flights within the Open category as long as the operation complies with standard rules (Reg 2019/947 Art. 4).

• Specific category:

  • Night flights in the Specific category may require submission of a detailed operational risk assessment to the competent aviation authority (Reg 2019/947 Art. 11).
  • If the operation aligns with a predefined standard scenario, the operator must submit a declaration instead of requesting authorization (Reg 2020/639).

• Certified category:
  High-risk operations in the Certified category, such as those involving large drones or complex missions, require certification and approval from EASA.

Key Takeaways

• Night flights are permitted under EASA regulations but require strict compliance with operational limitations based on the Open, Specific, or Certified categories.
• Drones must be equipped with mandatory lighting (e.g., navigation and anti-collision lights) to ensure visibility and safety during nighttime operations.
• Pilots must assess visibility and weather conditions before and during night flights to mitigate risks.
• Risk mitigation strategies include pre-flight planning, use of advanced technology, and team coordination.
• Special authorizations may be required for night flights in the Specific or Certified categories, depending on the operation’s risk level.

By understanding and applying these regulations, drone pilots can safely and confidently conduct nighttime operations while adhering to EASA rules.