Night operations training and recency requirements

In plain language

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

Requirement as structured

To operate a remotely piloted aircraft or free flight model aircraft at night, the pilot must complete an approved night training course, perform a 30-minute shielded night flight if they have not flown at night in the last 90 days, equip 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-operations