When is DJI going to produce and include navigational light for their drones that is FAA compliant for night flights?  I can't imagine its very difficult to incorporate anti-collision lighting that is visable from 3 miles.  As of now you have to buy a 3rd party LED and battery and attach it to the drone, which adds weight and could cause balance issues.

Well as a drone operator I don't think you are supposed to fly at night so that might be one of the reasons unless you are part 107 I think

$gambino$ Posted at 2017-9-13 07:30
Well as a drone operator I don't think you are supposed to fly at night so that might be one of the reasons unless you are part 107 I think

You have it backwards: recreational flights are allowed at night but 107 pilots can only fly during the day, with an extra 30 minutes at dawn and dusk with the appropriate lights. And to answer the OP's question, that's probably why: because 107 pilots represent only a small portion of DJI's sales, so providing lights visible 3 miles away isn't a big priority for them.

Lights are at present no good to you in the US , I don't think we are going to see lights on the Mavic that can be seen 3 miles away now or in the near future.

you can buy lume cubes and accessories to fit your Mavic.

https://www.lumecube.com/shop/mavic-pro-kit

Wouldn't be a bit risky to fly at night? poor visibility.

There are some LED lights I brought from a gentleman of the PP site which are super duper bright for a fair low price and doesn't add any weight at all. They can be attached with just small pieces of velcro.

Called:  STROBON Cree® LED Strobe Lights

DroneFlying Posted at 2017-9-13 08:30
You have it backwards: recreational flights are allowed at night but 107 pilots can only fly during the day, with an extra 30 minutes at dawn and dusk with the appropriate lights. And to answer the OP's question, that's probably why: because 107 pilots represent only a small portion of DJI's sales, so providing lights visible 3 miles away isn't a big priority for them.

Can 107 pilots not fly at night with SOP ?

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-9-13 09:00
Can 107 pilots not fly at night with SOP ?

No, you have to get a waiver from the FAA, but they're handed out pretty freely for flying at night.

Here in Canada, night flying is against the law.  So, I would say, this is not a good idea

Flying at night seems to me like putting super bright headlights on my car and then getting behind the wheel with a bag on my head. I draw a lot of attention to myself right up to the point a smash into something.

Would that not show up in the video / pictures?

DroneFlying Posted at 2017-9-13 08:30
You have it backwards: recreational flights are allowed at night but 107 pilots can only fly during the day, with an extra 30 minutes at dawn and dusk with the appropriate lights. And to answer the OP's question, that's probably why: because 107 pilots represent only a small portion of DJI's sales, so providing lights visible 3 miles away isn't a big priority for them.

you my friend have it backwards, a hobbyist may NEVER fly at night, Part 107 may file for a FAA night waiver to allow flight at night

It is fun. Here in Denmark it is permitted to fly at night, provided two conditions are met.

1. Start and landing space must be sufficiently lighted so start and landing can be performed safely.
2. The aircraft/drones must be equipped with light so the pilot can see its orientation and position in the airspace.

And all DJI's products meet condition 2. In fact, you can fly far further in the night than day and still meet the requirement to fly by VLOS.   

Thus, there is no requirement for other aircraft can see the aircrafts/drone lighting. But here is the rule of course that we must yield unconditionally for manned aircraft .

Regards Leif.

Who flys at night?

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-9-13 09:00
Can 107 pilots not fly at night with SOP ?

technically u do need a waiver/permission to fly at night with part 107 certication.  however you are given some leniency around twilight hours..  typically seen as 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes prior to sunrise.  

however fly for fun act, not part 107,  you can play all night if you so wish to risk it.  


it does sound counter intuitive.. but whatever..

MAStetz Posted at 2017-9-13 11:30
you my friend have it backwards, a hobbyist may NEVER fly at night, Part 107 may file for a FAA night waiver to allow flight at night

actually you have it twisted.. 107 commercial operators must file for a waiver and permission to fly at night beyond twilight hours.  however hobbyist who fly for fun can fly all night long, how ever much risk they are willing to take.  

   it is completely counter intuitive, but did you expect our government to make sense?

I am part 107 and occasionally have projects that run at night.  I am aware of the required waiver and the need of FAA compliant lighting.  Not only would integrated 3 SM strobes be useful at night but they would also help somewhat during the day at well as they are brighter than DJI's integrated red and green lights.

Landbo Posted at 2017-9-13 11:53
It is fun. Here in Denmark it is permitted to fly at night, provided two conditions are met.

1. Start and landing space must be sufficiently lighted so start and landing can be performed safely.

That is good for you!
Wished it was the same here.

GrahamG Posted at 2017-9-13 12:00
Who flys at night?

I do.  

Sportbike_Pilot Posted at 2017-9-13 08:35
Wouldn't be a bit risky to fly at night? poor visibility.

There are some LED lights I brought from a gentleman of the PP site which are super duper bright for a fair low price and doesn't add any weight at all. They can be attached with just small pieces of velcro.

I have two of those strobe lights on my Spark during the Eclipse last month. They let me see my Sparky way up at 300 feet perfectly.

Montfrooij Posted at 2017-9-13 12:31
That is good for you!
Wished it was the same here.

Thank's, but you are not so far from Denmark if you want to fly by night yourself.   

Regards Leif.

Montfrooij Posted at 2017-9-13 11:14
Would that not show up in the video / pictures?

No, it will not. I put them on the sides of the Spark and no reflections from the light.

Landbo Posted at 2017-9-13 12:39
Thank's, but you are so not far from Denmark if you want to fly by night yourself.   

Regards Leif.

That is right!
Good idea

Maxi3D Posted at 2017-9-13 12:40
No, it will not. I put them on the sides of the Spark and no reflections from the light.

Flying under the dark of the eclipse.

Thanks. I did see some night footage from Mavic with the red lights showing up.

Montfrooij Posted at 2017-9-13 12:43
That is right!
Good idea

Just be aware of the rules.

http://modelflyvning.dk/forening ... eign-rc-pilots.aspx

Regards Leif.

MAStetz Posted at 2017-9-13 11:30
you my friend have it backwards, a hobbyist may NEVER fly at night, Part 107 may file for a FAA night waiver to allow flight at night

No, I don't believe that I do. Please provide a cite to support your claim that recreational flight at night is against FAA regulations.

GrahamG Posted at 2017-9-13 12:00
Who flys at night?

Who flies at night? For one, people who want to capture outstanding photos and video, like this guy and like Dirty Bird whose YouTube videos are among the very best I've seen: https://www.youtube.com/user/Schtuperman

GrahamG Posted at 2017-9-13 12:00
Who flys at night?

I might regret saying this, but here goes.

I think it's just as safe to fly at night, so long as you have planned where your flying have taken note of obstacles there heights etc, have proper RTH procedure a smart back up plan and follow the normal rules of flying VLOS , have an area properly lit up for landing and take off and be wholly responsible for your flight.

I fly at night pretty often and I've had this discussion before. I am one of those that think that flying at night is very safe as long as you keep an eye on your drone which is way easuer at night than the day. I have also asked before for the people that keep claiming that it is illegal to fly at night to provide a link or a site where THE FAA says it is illegal for (recreational) drone pilots to do so. There are sites saying this, but not the FAA, so....

GrahamG Posted at 2017-9-13 12:00
Who flys at night?

Bats and experienced drone pilots who know what they are doing.

Landbo Posted at 2017-9-13 12:54
Just be aware of the rules.

http://modelflyvning.dk/foreningsinfo/ansvarsforsikring-for-piloter/foreign-rc-pilots.aspx

Thanks a lot. That is a lot to read and fill in, but worth the time.

Montfrooij Posted at 2017-9-13 21:48
Thanks a lot. That is a lot to read and fill in, but worth the time.

You're welcome. Good flight.

http://www.flytron.com/led-syste ... e.html#/color-white

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-9-13 08:31
Lights are at present no good to you in the US , I don't think we are going to see lights on the Mavic that can be seen 3 miles away now or in the near future.

you can buy lume cubes and accessories to fit your Mavic.

I've heard great things!

Have you tried them out?

Drone-Mike Posted at 2017-9-15 03:56
I've heard great things!

Have you tried them out?

I have a set for my P4 they are excellent, I can also use with my Osmo so they are very versatile.

It would have to be a third party type designed. What was suggested is also correct. Drones should not be flown at night.

DJI-Mark Posted at 2017-9-15 08:17
It would have to be a third party type designed. What was suggested is also correct. Drones should not be flown at night.

What's the basis for your statement, Mark? It's most certainly not correct if you mean that it's against FAA regulations to fly recreationally at night.

Nor can I find anything from DJI materials (e.g., the Mavic manual) that says drones shouldn't be flown at night. In fact, the manual implicitly condones it by saying to, "Be extra cautious when flying in dark environments." Are you claiming that it's DJI's position that its drones should not be flown at night?

DroneFlying Posted at 2017-9-15 09:18
What's the basis for your statement, Mark? It's most certainly not correct if you mean that it's against FAA regulations to fly recreationally at night.

Nor can I find anything from DJI materials (e.g., the Mavic manual) that says drones shouldn't be flown at night. In fact, the manual implicitly condones it by saying to, "Be extra cautious when flying in dark environments." Are you claiming that it's DJI's position that its drones should not be flown at night?

A great question. Certainly it can be a grey area. I don't fly at night because I want to be able to keep an eye on where I am going. The argument can be made that it is a lot like driving without headlights and if DJI wanted to include this point, they would of made headlights for the aircraft. You have to sign waivers with the FAA on this point and the manuals do say not to fly line out of sight. Finally, I can recall that some of the older DJI manuals did frown upon this the same way it was frowned to fly over a crowd. Of course some do so perhaps the best wording would be that this is all subjective.

DJI-Mark Posted at 2017-9-15 09:51
A great question. Certainly it can be a grey area. I don't fly at night because I want to be able to keep an eye on where I am going. The argument can be made that it is a lot like driving without headlights and if DJI wanted to include this point, they would of made headlights for the aircraft. You have to sign waivers with the FAA on this point and the manuals do say not to fly line out of sight. Finally, I can recall that some of the older DJI manuals did frown upon this the same way it was frowned to fly over a crowd. Of course some do so perhaps the best wording would be that this is all subjective.

I see: in other words, it's just your personal opinion. Yeah, we all have one of those, and some of us even know what the actual regulations are. However, your headlights comparison doesn't hold water because the lights mandated by the FAA for commercial pilots aren't for illumination -- which is mainly what headlights are for -- but to serve as a warning to others, hence the three mile requirement. And by the way, at least on larger / manned aircraft those "headlights" that are used for illumination are landing lights and taxi lights, not "headlights".

In any case, I appreciate you clarifying your previous post. I'd hate to see a DJI employee spreading misinformation about FAA regulations or about DJI policies concerning flying at night.

DroneFlying Posted at 2017-9-15 09:53
I see: in other words, it's just your personal opinion. Yeah, we all have one of those, and some of us even know what the actual regulations are. However, your headlights comparison doesn't hold water because the lights mandated by the FAA for commercial pilots aren't for illumination -- which is mainly what headlights are for -- but to serve as a warning to others, hence the three mile requirement. And by the way, at least on larger / manned aircraft those "headlights" that are used for illumination are landing lights and taxi lights, not "headlights".

In any case, I appreciate you clarifying your previous post. I'd hate to see a DJI employee spreading misinformation about FAA regulations or about DJI policies concerning flying at night.

Well, respectfully there are a great deal of opinions on this page. I appreciate  yours in the same way that I have provided mine. I don't believe I suggested that I was an authority on FAA regulations nor did I come off stating that. Perhaps misinterpretations all the way around? I would rather give information that does err on the side of caution because it is not completely safe. However, if you feel you can operate by flying at night, by all means go for it. Also, there is no place on the online store that DJI does sell lights for drones. Therefore, I would not be able to advise on any third party products.  I do appreciate your feedback either way.

DJI-Mark Posted at 2017-9-15 11:46
Well, respectfully there are a great deal of opinions on this page. I appreciate  yours in the same way that I have provided mine. I don't believe I suggested that I was an authority on FAA regulations nor did I come off stating that. Perhaps misinterpretations all the way around? I would rather give information that does err on the side of caution because it is not completely safe. However, if you feel you can operate by flying at night, by all means go for it. Also, there is no place on the online store that DJI does sell lights for drones. Therefore, I would not be able to advise on any third party products.  I do appreciate your feedback either way.

Well, "respectfully", Mark, here's what you wrote in your first reply:

"What was suggested is also correct. Drones should not be flown at night."

That doesn't sound like an opinion but rather a statement of fact and since you clearly aren't an authority on FAA regulations the other obvious interpretation -- because you're posting as a DJI employee -- was that you were expressing DJI policy, but apparently that wasn't the case either.

Yes, of course we're all entitled to have and express opinions. I've never said or implied otherwise, but I thought the wording of your original post suggested something other than a personal opinion, so again I appreciate the clarification and my apologies if I misinterpreted your intent.

P.S. I don't know if you ever hear from or communicate with DJI-Ken, but if you do please let him know that his presence here is missed.