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Press Release: Helios Visions Receives FAA Approval For Nighttime Drone Operations

 

Last week, Helios Visions was granted a night waiver from the FAA which is legally required to fly commercial drones at night.

Helios Visions is now approved to operate nationwide in Class G airspace. The waiver is good for the entire United States in Class G airspace until 2021 and will allow for 24-hour operation.

Night waivers are required to operate drones at night.

Anyone that wants to fly a drone after civil twilight (30 minutes after sunset) need a night waiver from the FAA.

14 CFR 107.29 requires:

(a) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during night.

(b) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during periods of civil twilight unless the small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. The remote pilot in command may reduce the intensity of the anti-collision lighting if he or she determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to do so.

(c) For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, civil twilight refers to the following:

(1) Except for Alaska, a period of time that begins 30 minutes before official sunrise and ends at official sunrise;

(2) Except for Alaska, a period of time that begins at official sunset and ends 30 minutes after official sunset; and

(3) In Alaska, the period of civil twilight as defined in the Air Almanac.