Night operations requirements

In plain language

To fly a drone at night, you must complete an approved night training course, have flown at night in the last 90 days (or do a 30-minute shielded practice flight), use proper orientation lights, and only fly one drone at a time.

Requirement as structured

A person must only operate a remotely piloted aircraft or free flight model aircraft at night if they have completed approved night training, completed a 30-minute shielded night flight if they have not flown at night in the last 90 days, equipped the aircraft with orientation lighting, and operate only one aircraft at a time.

Original regulatory text

(a) A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft or free flight model aircraft at night under rule 101.211 unless the operation is - (1) indoors; or (2) a shielded operation. (b) Despite paragraph (a), a person may operate a remotely piloted aircraft or free flight model aircraft at night if - (1) the person has successfully completed an appropriate course authorised by an organisation approved by the Director to provide night operations training; and (2) the person has successfully conducted a 30-minute shielded operation at night to refamiliarise themselves with night operations if the person has not flown at night in the previous 90 days; and (3) the aircraft is equipped with appropriate lighting to determine its orientation throughout the operation; and (4) the person operates not more than one aircraft at a time.

Applies when

operation

night