Night drone flights

Night flights in Open category

The standard Open category effectively prohibits night operations because VLOS requires the pilot to see the aircraft. Seeing an aircraft in darkness without aids is not possible under normal conditions.

Some EU member states permit limited night flights with additional conditions (e.g. navigation lights). Check TKA guidance — Lithuania may have a specific interpretation.

Specific category for night operations

Commercial night flights require a Specific-category authorisation. The SORA risk assessment must account for the increased risks of night operations: reduced visibility, other airspace users.

Night flying under Specific category enables industrial inspection, media work and SAR operations. Prior coordination with TKA is required.

Lighting requirements

Night operations require navigation lights on the drone — anti-collision strobes help other airspace users see your aircraft.

Pilots may use infrared telescopes or night-vision devices for aircraft observation at night. These tools do not replace VLOS but provide additional situational awareness in Specific operations.

Night flying in exam questions

A2 and STS exam questions on night flight appear in the operational limitations block. Know: night flying is not universally prohibited — the correct authorisation and conditions can make it legal.

Typical question: can you fly at night in A3 subcategory? Answer — no, without additional conditions or a Specific authorisation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I fly at night with an A2 certificate?

Standard A2 Open-category operations do not permit night flying. A Specific-category authorisation or TKA-approved special conditions are required.

Is night flying automatically BVLOS?

Not necessarily. BVLOS refers to distance from the pilot; night refers to time of day. However, maintaining VLOS at night is very difficult, so in practice night operations often require Specific authorisation.