Not All Drone Lights are the Same
By Rebekah Waters, FAA Safety Briefing Magazine
One of the most important tenets of aviation safety is the requirement that all pilots be able to see and avoid obstacles and be seen by other pilots. When you are flying a drone, you are a pilot, so this applies to you. To ensure a safe flight, you must be able to see your drone at all times while also scanning the skies and ground around you for obstacles and hazards. As the sun sets and the skies darken, this task gets harder. Have you thought about how to accomplish this important task at night?
With the update to 14 CFR part 107 that became effective in March 2021, it’s now easier to fly your drone at night — assuming you meet certain requirements. One of these requirements is that your drone be equipped with anticollision lights. While most drones are equipped with navigation lights, anticollision lights might not come standard straight off the shelf.
What’s the Difference?
Navigation lights and anticollision lights have separate and important functions; both are needed for a safe flight at night. Navigation lights, also known as positional lights, are often red and green. For drone pilots, they are a visual aid to seeing your drone’s orientation relative to you. If your drone has navigation lights, it’s good practice to keep them on. Anticollision lights are flashing lights that are primarily designed to help other pilots see your aircraft and avoid collisions. They should flash, and be visible from all directions, to help manned pilots clearly distinguish your drone from other hazards, such as birds. These flashing lights should be white or red, and they are primarily intended to increase your drone’s conspicuity to other pilots. In the rare cases where pilots have been involved in a collision with a drone, they have consistently stated that they couldn’t see the drone until it was too late to avoid it. Drones are hard to see, especially small ones. They blend in with the background and have slow maneuvering speeds. Anti-collision lights help make drones more visible.
A Closer Look
Unlike navigation lights that produce a steady light, anticollision lights have a blinking or strobe pattern. These bright lights can be placed on various parts of the drone so that it can be seen from multiple angles. To comply with part 107, these lights must be visible from a distance of at least three statute miles at night. Some part 107 waivers require daytime use of anti-collision lights that are visible for at least one statute mile. To reduce the risk of a collision, consider using an anti-collision light whenever you fly, regardless of the time of day. Without them, it is hard for manned pilots to distinguish drones from birds.
If your drone is not already equipped with anticollision lights, fear not. These lights have become fairly easy to install on most drones and are readily available as low-cost after-market add-ons. When purchasing a set, make sure you consider things like weight and power supply. Extra weight and power demands could quickly drain your battery and drastically reduce your flight time. With a little research, you should be able to find a set best suited to your flying needs.
Whether for fun, or for work, there are many reasons to fly your drone. Whatever reason you have for taking off, always remember that lighting is crucial to reduce risk and keep your flight safe. Knowing the different types of lighting and when to use them will help protect your drone and everyone around you.
Learn More
- “Everything You Need to Know About Drone Anti-Collision Lights” (Pilot Institute)
- Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations (14 CFR part 107)
Rebekah Waters is an FAA Safety Briefing associate editor. She is a technical writer-editor in the FAA’s Flight Standards Service.
