FAAWhen may a remote pilot reduce the intensity of an aircraft’s lights during a night flight?
- ❌A:At no time may the lights of an sUAS be reduced in intensity at night.
- ❌B:When a manned aircraft is in the vicinity of the sUAS.
- ✅C:When it is in the interest of safety to dim the aircraft's lights.
Explanations
- A: This statement is incorrect. The FAA does allow for the reduction of light intensity on an sUAS during night operations if it is in the interest of safety. For a commercial drone operator, this could mean reducing glare that might interfere with other essential operations or to prevent disturbing wildlife or people in certain sensitive areas.
- B: This statement is incorrect. The presence of a manned aircraft does not automatically warrant the reduction of light intensity on an sUAS. The primary purpose of the lights is to ensure visibility and avoid potential collisions, which is crucial for maintaining safety and avoiding damage, injury, and potential fines or legal issues.
- C: This statement is correct. The FAA permits the dimming of lights if operating conditions make it safer. For businesses, this flexibility can be beneficial in certain scenarios, such as conducting wildlife surveys or filming in low-light conditions, where bright lights may be disruptive.
🧭 Instructor Note
Why This Matters for Your Business
Understanding the FAA's regulations on night flight lighting is crucial for businesses that operate drones during nighttime hours. The ability to adjust light intensity can provide operational flexibility, allowing businesses to conduct operations in a wider range of conditions and scenarios. However, it's important to remember that safety should always be the primary consideration.
Safety & Liability Considerations
The primary purpose of drone lights during night operations is to ensure visibility and avoid potential collisions. Reducing light intensity can increase the risk of collisions if not done carefully and appropriately. It's also important to consider the potential for liability issues and fines if a collision does occur due to reduced visibility.
Consider This Scenario
A commercial drone operator is contracted to conduct a wildlife survey in a remote area. The survey requires night operations to capture nocturnal animal activity. Bright drone lights could disturb the animals and skew the survey results. In this scenario, the operator could reduce the light intensity to minimize disruption while still maintaining sufficient visibility for safe operation.
What the FAA is Testing
The FAA is testing your understanding of the regulations around night flight lighting. Specifically, they want to ensure that you know when it's appropriate to reduce the light intensity on a drone during night operations.
Business Success Strategy
Ensure that all staff understand the FAA's regulations on night flight lighting and are trained to adjust light intensity appropriately. Develop operational procedures for assessing when to adjust light intensity based on safety considerations and the specific requirements of each operation.
Memory Aid
You may deviate from the rule when it is safer to do so.
Enhanced References
FAA's Night Operations Guidance, Business Case Studies on Night Flight Operations, FAA's UAS Safety Guidelines.
Related Concepts
- Night flight lighting requirements
- Anti-collision light visibility
- Operational safety decisions
ACS Code: UA.I.B.K25
Difficulty: basic