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FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot Exam

Night Operations Practice Questions

15 practice questions with detailed explanations — aligned to the FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot Exam.

  1. Q1.To operate a small UA at night under Part 107, the remote pilot must:

    A.Complete the updated initial or recurrent training covering night operations and use anti-collision lights
    B.Obtain a waiver from the FAA
    C.Fly only in Class G airspace
    D.Use night vision goggles
    AComplete the updated initial or recurrent training covering night operations and use anti-collision lights

    Explanation: As of 2021, night operations are permitted by rule (without waiver) IF the pilot completes the updated training and the aircraft has compliant lights.

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  2. Q2.Anti-collision lights used for night operations must be visible for at least:

    A.3 statute miles
    B.1 statute mile
    C.5 statute miles
    D.500 feet
    A3 statute miles

    Explanation: 14 CFR § 107.29(b) requires anti-collision lights to be visible for at least 3 statute miles.

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  3. Q3.The flash rate of the required anti-collision lights must be:

    A.Sufficient to avoid a collision (typically 40-100 flashes per minute)
    B.Exactly 1 flash per second
    C.Solid (no flashing)
    D.Variable based on speed
    ASufficient to avoid a collision (typically 40-100 flashes per minute)

    Explanation: While Part 107.29 generally requires 'anti-collision lights', standard aviation definitions imply a flash rate sufficient to attract attention (40-100/min is standard for manned, though the rule specifies visibility distance as the primary metric).

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  4. Q4.Can a remote pilot turn off the anti-collision lights during flight?

    A.Yes, if the lights degrade the safety of the flight (e.g., pilot blinding)
    B.No, they must remain on at all times
    C.Yes, to save battery
    D.Yes, if no other aircraft are around
    AYes, if the lights degrade the safety of the flight (e.g., pilot blinding)

    Explanation: 14 CFR § 107.29(c) allows the remote pilot to reduce the intensity or turn off the lights if they determine that the lights impair their ability to see the aircraft or potential hazards.

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  5. Q5.Night is defined as:

    A.The time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight
    B.30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise
    C.When the streetlights come on
    D.1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise
    AThe time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight

    Explanation: 14 CFR § 1.1 defines night as the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight.

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  6. Q6.During night operations, what visual illusion might a pilot experience where a stationary light appears to move?

    A.Autokinesis
    B.False Horizon
    C.Flicker Vertigo
    D.Reversible Perspective
    AAutokinesis

    Explanation: Autokinesis occurs when staring at a single stationary light in the dark for several seconds; it appears to move.

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  7. Q7.A 'False Horizon' illusion at night can be caused by:

    A.A sloping cloud bank, obscured horizon, or ground lights appearing like stars
    B.Rapid scanning
    C.Red cockpit lighting
    D.Anti-collision lights
    AA sloping cloud bank, obscured horizon, or ground lights appearing like stars

    Explanation: A false horizon occurs when the natural horizon is obscured, and the pilot aligns with a geometric pattern (like a slanted cloud deck or line of lights) instead.

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  8. Q8.To maintain night vision adaptation, a remote pilot should:

    A.Avoid bright white lights for 30 minutes prior to flight and use red light for reading
    B.Stare at a bright light to 'reset' the eyes
    C.Wear sunglasses
    D.Use a bright flashlight to inspect the drone during flight
    AAvoid bright white lights for 30 minutes prior to flight and use red light for reading

    Explanation: Red light does not degrade rhodopsin (visual purple) in the rods as much as white light, preserving night vision.

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  9. Q9.When scanning for traffic at night, you should:

    A.Use off-center viewing (look slightly to the side of the object)
    B.Look directly at the object
    C.Close one eye
    D.Scan rapidly without stopping
    AUse off-center viewing (look slightly to the side of the object)

    Explanation: Because of the central blind spot at night, looking 5 to 10 degrees off-center allows the peripheral rods to detect the light/object.

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  10. Q10.Are you allowed to fly during 'Civil Twilight' without anti-collision lights?

    A.No, anti-collision lights are required during civil twilight and night
    B.Yes, lights are only required at 'Night'
    C.Yes, if you have navigation lights (red/green)
    D.Yes, for the first 15 minutes only
    ANo, anti-collision lights are required during civil twilight and night

    Explanation: 14 CFR § 107.29 requires anti-collision lights for operations during BOTH civil twilight AND night.

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  11. Q11.Civil twilight in the evening ends:

    A.When the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon (approx 30 mins after sunset)
    B.At sunset
    C.1 hour after sunset
    D.When the streetlights turn on
    AWhen the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon (approx 30 mins after sunset)

    Explanation: Evening civil twilight ends when the geometric center of the sun reaches 6 degrees below the horizon (typically 30-45 minutes after sunset depending on latitude).

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  12. Q12.If a pilot completed their initial Part 107 test in 2018 (before the night rule change), can they fly at night today?

    A.Only after completing the updated recurrent training (on or after March 2021)
    B.Yes, their certificate is valid forever
    C.No, they must retake the initial exam
    D.Yes, night privileges were retroactive
    AOnly after completing the updated recurrent training (on or after March 2021)

    Explanation: Pilots certified before the rule change must complete the updated recurrent training (which includes night modules) to exercise night privileges.

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  13. Q13.Which illusion involves a pilot perceiving themselves as being higher than they actually are due to a lack of visual cues or up-sloping terrain?

    A.Featureless Terrain Illusion
    B.Runway Width Illusion
    C.Coriolis Illusion
    D.Somatogravic Illusion
    AFeatureless Terrain Illusion

    Explanation: A 'black hole approach' or featureless terrain creates the illusion of being higher, causing the pilot to fly lower than intended.

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  14. Q14.Navigation lights (Red/Green) on a drone:

    A.Help the pilot determine orientation (direction)
    B.Meet the anti-collision requirement
    C.Are prohibited at night
    D.Are only for looks
    AHelp the pilot determine orientation (direction)

    Explanation: While not sufficient to meet the anti-collision requirement alone, nav lights (Red=Left, Green=Right) are critical for the pilot to determine the drone's heading at night.

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  15. Q15.Before a night flight, the remote pilot should ensure the area is:

    A.Scouted during the day to identify obstacles
    B.Illuminated with floodlights
    C.Empty of all people
    D.Within 1 mile of an airport
    AScouted during the day to identify obstacles

    Explanation: A daylight site survey is a best practice to identify hazards (wires, trees) that will be invisible at night.

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