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Flying Drones in the Dark – What You Need to Know

Flying drones in the dark holds a special allure for many. When the world settles down and city lights or natural darkness take over, a unique atmosphere emerges. For photographers, tech enthusiasts, and creatives, this opens up new perspectives – but also new challenges. Flying at night is exciting but requires extra care, planning, and legal knowledge.

Legal Basics

Good news first: In the OPEN category, you don’t need an extra permit to fly your drone after sunset. However, your drone must meet legal visibility requirements.
Key requirement: Your drone must have a green flashing light to ensure it’s clearly visible in the sky and distinguishable from manned aircraft. Many models already have this lighting built-in – often as status LEDs on the propeller arms.
For drones in classes C1, C2, and C3, the flashing light is mandatory, and the manufacturer must guarantee night-flight capability.

What Applies to Commercial Flights at Night?

The legal framework for drones – whether used commercially or privately – has been standardized across the EU since 2021 under the EU Drone Regulation (EU 2019/947), created by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Instead of dividing drones by commercial vs. private use, the regulation splits operations into three categories:

OPEN Category (Low Risk)

Commercial night flights are allowed in this category if:

  • All requirements (e.g., flashing light) are met,

  • You fly within visual line of sight (VLOS),

  • No crowds are overflown,

  • The drone doesn’t fly higher than 120 meters,

  • You use a CE-marked drone (C0–C4 class).

SPECIFIC Category (Medium Risk)

If your operation doesn’t meet OPEN category criteria – e.g., flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), over crowds, or with larger drones – you’ll need:

  • An operational authorization (e.g., via SORA – Specific Operations Risk Assessment),

  • Possibly a night flight permit, depending on the scenario,

  • Operator registration for your company,

  • A valid EU remote pilot certificate (e.g., A2 or higher).

CERTIFIED Category (High Risk)

This applies to complex operations like drone deliveries or passenger transport. Strict safety regulations also apply to night flights here.

Summary – Are Commercial Night Flights Allowed?

  • Yes, night flights are allowed within the OPEN category if your drone is properly equipped (e.g., flashing light).

  • For more complex missions: authorization, risk assessment (SORA), and special permits may be required.

  • The term “commercial” does not automatically mean stricter rules – it’s the specific flight scenario that matters.

Risks and Challenges

Despite the appeal, night flying has risks. Limited visibility makes it harder to spot obstacles like trees, power lines, or animals. Technical issues might be harder to detect or more severe without visual contact.
Overconfidence or poor preparation can jeopardize both your drone and the safety of others. Solid preparation and legal compliance are a must.

Tips for Safe Night Flying

As soon as the sun sets, conditions for drone flights change significantly. Visibility drops, obstacles are harder to identify, and spatial awareness may suffer. To stay safe:

  • Scout the area during daylight to avoid surprises later.

  • Use support tools like map apps and GPS for navigation.

  • Fly with a spotter – a second person who monitors the surroundings increases safety, especially in complex or unknown terrain.

  • Watch the weather – fog, rain, or sudden wind can be dangerous and are harder to detect at night.

Use Cases

Practical Night Drone Applications

Beyond hobby photography, drones at night are used in many industries. Security companies use them for surveillance, rescue services conduct nighttime search operations using thermal imaging. In industry, inspections in hard-to-reach areas are often done at night when systems are inactive.

Creative Possibilities

For photo and video creators, night flights offer unique opportunities: long exposures, light trails, starry skies – the results can be spectacular. But the right gear and experience are key to success in low-light conditions.

The Magic of Drone Shows at Night

One of the most impressive applications: drone light shows. When dozens or hundreds of drones perform a synchronized dance in the night sky, the sky becomes a stage. With precise choreography, colorful LEDs, and often music, breathtaking visuals are created – from logos and text to complex 3D animations in the sky.
Night enhances the effect: the dark sky becomes the perfect canvas for glowing patterns and vibrant colors.

FlyingStars – Experts in Drone Light Shows

We specialize in professional drone light shows, blending cutting-edge technology with creative concepts to deliver spectacular visual experiences. From sports events to city festivals, corporate events, or even private parties – we’ve got you covered.

👉 Discover our pricing and book your drone show now!

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