Can I fly a drone at night under Part 107?

Yes, without a waiver, if you completed the initial knowledge test or recurrent training under 14 CFR 107.65 after April 6, 2021, and the drone has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles with a sufficient flash rate to avoid a collision (14 CFR 107.29(a)).

What is civil twilight for drone flying?

Outside Alaska, 14 CFR 107.29(c)(1) defines civil twilight as the 30 minutes before official sunrise until sunrise, and from official sunset until 30 minutes after sunset. In Alaska it is the period described in the Air Almanac.

Do I need anti-collision lights during civil twilight?

Yes. 107.29(b) requires lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles during civil twilight, unless the remote pilot reduces the intensity because of operating conditions in the interest of safety.

Do I need a night waiver?

No. The old 107.29 night waivers are no longer needed; the rule itself allows night operations if you meet 107.29(a). Night flight over people has further conditions in 107.39 and Subpart D.

Part 107 Night & Civil Twilight Calculator (14 CFR 107.29)

The rule: 14 CFR 107.29

Night (107.29(a)): you may fly at night only if you completed the initial knowledge test or recurrent training under 107.65 after April 6, 2021, and the drone has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision.
Civil twilight (107.29(b)): the same 3-statute-mile anti-collision lighting is required. You may reduce intensity if operating conditions make that safer.
What counts as twilight (107.29(c)): in the contiguous U.S. and everywhere except Alaska, 30 minutes before official sunrise to sunrise, and sunset to 30 minutes after official sunset. In Alaska, the period in the Air Almanac.
Old waivers (107.29(d)): night waivers issued before the 2021 rule are no longer valid; you no longer need one.

Worked example

Lecompte, Louisiana (31.096° N, 92.401° W) on October 23, 2026, CDT (UTC−5): the U.S. Naval Observatory gives sunrise 07:18 and sunset 18:29 (this calculator: 07:17 and 18:30). Under 107.29(c), morning twilight is 06:48–07:18 and evening twilight 18:29–18:59. A launch at 18:45 needs lit anti-collision lights; a launch at 19:05 is night, so you also need the post-2021 107.65 test or training on record.

Watch out: the astronomical “civil twilight” in almanacs and weather apps (sun 6° below the horizon) is not the Part 107 window. USNO lists evening civil twilight ending at 18:54 that day, five minutes before the 107.29 window closes; at higher latitudes and in summer the gap can be much larger in either direction. Outside Alaska, Part 107 uses the fixed 30 minutes.

Accuracy and what “official” means

Times use the NOAA solar position equations with the sun's center 0.833° below the horizon, the convention used for official sunrise and sunset. Expect agreement within about one minute of the U.S. Naval Observatory tables at mid-latitudes; terrain and elevation are ignored.
Leave a margin near the boundaries, and use the USNO sun/moon data or the Air Almanac when it matters (and always in Alaska).
Lighting must be on the drone and lit. A light that is only visible 1 mile, or a steady light that does not flash, does not meet 107.29.

Common questions

I passed Part 107 before April 2021. Can I fly at night?

Not until you complete the current recurrent training or test under 107.65; the free online recurrent course on FAASafety.gov includes the night material.

Does this apply to recreational flyers?

Recreational flights under 49 U.S.C. 44809 are not under Part 107, but the FAA's recreational flyer guidance tells you to use anti-collision lighting if you fly at night. See recreational vs Part 107.

Can I fly over people at night?

Only under the extra conditions of Subpart D (107.39 and related sections). This calculator only covers 107.29.

Sources

Planning aid, not legal advice. Your location stays in your browser.

Part 107 night and civil twilight calculator