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When anti-collision lighting is required on a sunrise flight

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 33 of 34 on Regulations / Operating Rules. ACS element UA.I.B.K11 · difficulty: applied. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA remote pilot in the contiguous United States plans a flight from 0600 until 0700 local time on a day when official sunrise is 0615. During what part of that flight must the small unmanned aircraft have lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles?

  1. AFrom 0615 until the end of the flight
  2. BFor the entire flight, 0600 to 0700
  3. CFrom 0600 until 0615
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. From 0600 until 0615

  • A — incorrect After official sunrise the civil twilight period has ended and the operation is in daylight, which § 107.29 does not cover.
  • B — incorrect The lighting requirement stops at official sunrise, so extending it through the whole flight goes beyond what § 107.29 requires.
  • C — correct Civil twilight in this case begins 30 minutes before official sunrise, at 0545, and ends at official sunrise, 0615, so the 0600 to 0615 portion is flown in civil twilight and § 107.29(b) requires the lighting.

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 with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. Section 107.29(c) defines civil twilight for this purpose: except in Alaska, it is the period beginning 30 minutes before official sunrise and ending at official sunrise, and the period beginning at official sunset and ending 30 minutes after official sunset. In Alaska, civil twilight is the period defined in the Air Almanac. The same lighting is required for operations at night under § 107.29(a)(2), which also requires the remote pilot in command to have completed an initial knowledge test or training under § 107.65 after April 6, 2021. In either case the remote pilot in command may reduce the intensity of the lighting, but may not extinguish it, when operating conditions make that safer.

STUDY TIP

Work these problems by first marking the civil twilight window on a timeline, 30 minutes on the dark side of the sunrise or sunset time, then decide which part of the flight falls inside it. The lighting requirement follows the window, not the clock time of the flight.

KEY POINTS

  • Civil twilight before sunrise runs from 30 minutes prior to official sunrise until official sunrise.
  • During civil twilight the aircraft needs anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles.
  • After official sunrise the flight is in daylight and § 107.29 no longer applies.

SOURCES

  • 14 CFR 107.29(b)
  • 14 CFR 107.29(c)(1)
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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.