Drone Pilot Practice Exam

What must be visible on your drone if you plan to fly at sunrise at 7:32 am when it's currently 7:12 am?

1. A landing light

2. Anti-collision lighting visible from 3 statute miles

3. Radar positioning

4. Color markings

The correct answer is: Anti-collision lighting visible from 3 statute miles

If you are planning to fly your drone at sunrise, specific lighting requirements must be met to ensure visibility and safety. The correct answer is that anti-collision lighting must be visible from 3 statute miles. This requirement is critical because it ensures that your drone can be seen by other aircraft and people even in low-light conditions, which are expected during dawn. At sunrise, the ambient light conditions can be challenging for visual visibility, making it vital to have appropriate lighting systems installed on your drone. Anti-collision lights provide a bright signal to indicate the drone's position and help prevent collisions with other aircraft, which is especially important in the early morning when visibility may be diminished. While landing lights can enhance visibility during takeoff and landing, they do not specifically meet the regulatory requirements for visibility in low-light conditions over a distance. Radar positioning and color markings do not address the immediate safety concerns related to visibility that anti-collision lights achieve. In summary, ensuring that anti-collision lighting is functional and visible from a significant distance adheres to safety regulations and contributes to the safe operation of the drone during low-light conditions such as just before sunrise.