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Civil twilight lighting requirement after sunset

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 14 of 17 on Operations / Maintenance and Inspection. ACS element UA.V.F.K5 · difficulty: applied. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONOutside Alaska, official sunset is at 7:45 p.m. A remote pilot plans to fly a small unmanned aircraft from 7:50 p.m. to 8:05 p.m. without anti-collision lighting. Under § 107.29, is this permitted?

  1. ANo; the flight falls within civil twilight, which requires the lighting
  2. BYes; civil twilight ends at official sunset and the lighting is not required
  3. CYes; the lighting is required only after 8:15 p.m., 30 minutes past sunset
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. No; the flight falls within civil twilight, which requires the lighting

  • A — correct Under § 107.29(c)(2), evening civil twilight runs from official sunset until 30 minutes after, so 7:45 to 8:15 p.m.; § 107.29(b) requires anti-collision lighting during that period.
  • B — incorrect Evening civil twilight begins at official sunset, not ends; the 30 minutes after sunset still require lighting.
  • C — incorrect 8:15 p.m. is when civil twilight ends, but lighting is already required from sunset onward under § 107.29(b).

BACKGROUND

Section 107.29(b) states that no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during periods of civil twilight unless the aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. Paragraph (c) defines civil twilight outside Alaska as the period beginning 30 minutes before official sunrise and ending at sunrise, and the period beginning at official sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunset. In Alaska, the Air Almanac definition applies. A flight that starts five minutes after sunset therefore lies entirely inside evening civil twilight and needs the lighting.

STUDY TIP

Compute civil twilight as sunset plus 30 minutes and sunrise minus 30 minutes, then apply the lighting rule to any flight touching that window.

KEY POINTS

  • Evening civil twilight runs from official sunset to 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Anti-collision lighting visible 3 statute miles is required during civil twilight.
  • Alaska uses the Air Almanac definition instead.

SOURCES

  • 14 CFR 107.29(b)
  • 14 CFR 107.29(c)(2)
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on 14 CFR part 107, 14 CFR part 89, and the FAA Remote Pilot – Small UAS Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22). Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.