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New EVO II Favorite Feature - Turn off ALL of the Lights

Still not sure where you are getting the 60 minutes or 1 hour. Its really simple, if you are 107 you should remember from the test. For 107, you only get 30 minute before sunrise, or, 30 minutes after sunset in continental US including with anti collision lights. So no, in the continental US, you can not fly as 107 60 minute after sunset (or 60 min before sunrise) without out a waiver as you would be 30 min beyond the 30 min after sunset (or before sunrise) rule. Its pretty straightforward. Happy to take offline and chat if you like.

Because civil twilight is defined as 1hr after sunset...not 30min after sunset. You are right, this is actually in the drone class and on the test. You only get 30min before sunrise or after sunset if you do not have anti-collision lights. You get 1hr (the definition of civil twilight) if you do, its that simple. I honestly have no interest in splitting hairs offline over the definition of civil twilight offline especially since it is spelled out right in every link I've provided.

 
Because civil twilight is defined as 1hr after sunset...not 30min after sunset. You are right, this is actually in the drone class and on the test. You only get 30min before sunrise or after sunset if you do not have anti-collision lights. You get 1hr (the definition of civil twilight) if you do, its that simple. I honestly have no interest in splitting hairs offline over the definition of civil twilight offline especially since it is spelled out right in every link I've provided.

No worries, not looking to split hair or make stuff up. If you were 107 you would recall the 30 min before and 30 min after which is in the FAA regulations and tests. Happy to chat, not split hairs off line.
 
No worries, not looking to split hair or make stuff up. If you were 107 you would recall the 30 min before and 30 min after which is in the FAA regulations and tests. Happy to chat, not split hairs off line.
Ok I'll make it even easier for you....here is the FAA's definition of twilight...and recall their website states that you can fly during twilight IF you have anti-collision lights:


And if that is not enough here is ANOTHER link that says the same thing I said. Once again...daylight is defined as 30min before sunrise and after the sunset and needs no anti-collision lights, civil twilight is defined as 1hr before sunrise and 1hr after sunset and needs anti-collision lights but does not need a daylight operations waiver. I know the verbiage is about as clear as mud, but the fact remains that you can fly up to 59min after sunset as long as you have anti-collision lights without a daylight operations waiver:

 
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Ok I'll make it even easier for you....here is the FAA's definition of twilight...and recall their website states that you can fly during twilight IF you have anti-collision lights:


And if that is not enough here is ANOTHER link that says the same thing I said. Once again...daylight is defined as 30min before and after the sunset and needs no anti-collision lights, civil twilight is defined as 1hr before sunrise and 1hr after sunset and needs anti-collision lights but does not need a daylight operations waiver. I know the verbiage is about as clear as mud, but the fact remains that you can fly up to 59min after sunset as long as you have anti-collision lights without a daylight operations waiver:

I read that when preparing for my 107.29 daylight waiver a few years ago. However there are specifics for UAS UAV drones. If you are 107 you recall from training & tests "Daylight-only operations, or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting" the quote is from https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf. Its really simple, no need to keep searching for answers that fit. Happy to chat to help clarify.
 
Because civil twilight is defined as 1hr after sunset...not 30min after sunset. You are right, this is actually in the drone class and on the test. You only get 30min before sunrise or after sunset if you do not have anti-collision lights. You get 1hr (the definition of civil twilight) if you do, its that simple. I honestly have no interest in splitting hairs offline over the definition of civil twilight offline especially since it is spelled out right in every link I've provided.


I'm afraid you are referencing and quoting incorrect information. You need to go to the text of the 107 regulations to get the correct definition as defined for the 107 regulations. It very clearly defines "civil twilight" as it relates to flying under 107. You can quote other locations or other sites with whatever their interpretations are, but don't count on their information to keep you out of trouble.

This is directly from the US Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Refer to 107.29(c)(1)... I've copied it below...


§107.29 Daylight operation.​

(a) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during night.
(b) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during periods of civil twilight unless the small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. The remote pilot in command may reduce the intensity of the anti-collision lighting if he or she determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to do so.
(c) For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, civil twilight refers to the following:
(1) Except for Alaska, a period of time that begins 30 minutes before official sunrise and ends at official sunrise;
(2) Except for Alaska, a period of time that begins at official sunset and ends 30 minutes after official sunset; and
(3) In Alaska, the period of civil twilight as defined in the Air Almanac.
 
Good info and spot on from my understanding. It'll all be a moot point in a few weeks, supposedly, once the FAA provides direct instruction and knowledge on night ops per the recent rulings. Take their online course and have properly setup equipment then fly. Per the rule, the FAA will be providing the course/knowledge assessment directly.

 
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I'm afraid you are referencing and quoting incorrect information. You need to go to the text of the 107 regulations to get the correct definition as defined for the 107 regulations. It very clearly defines "civil twilight" as it relates to flying under 107. You can quote other locations or other sites with whatever their interpretations are, but don't count on their information to keep you out of trouble.

This is directly from the US Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Refer to 107.29(c)(1)... I've copied it below...


§107.29 Daylight operation.​

(a) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during night.
(b) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during periods of civil twilight unless the small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. The remote pilot in command may reduce the intensity of the anti-collision lighting if he or she determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to do so.
(c) For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, civil twilight refers to the following:
(1) Except for Alaska, a period of time that begins 30 minutes before official sunrise and ends at official sunrise;
(2) Except for Alaska, a period of time that begins at official sunset and ends 30 minutes after official sunset; and
(3) In Alaska, the period of civil twilight as defined in the Air Almanac.

Good info and spot on from my understanding. It'll all be a mute point in a few weeks, supposedly, once the FAA provides direct instruction and knowledge on night ops per the recent rulings. Take their online course and have properly setup equipment then fly. Per the rule, the FAA will be providing the course/knowledge assessment directly.

Yup, class/training becomes available 3/1/21, once you take the training, you can then start flying as of 3/16/21.
 
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As far as turning off the lights on DJI products before I got into the Autels, Black electrical tape took care of that every time starting with the Inspire 1's and early Matrices, because the lights forward would often mess up late sunset shots, only on the edges, but enough to be a nuisance.
 
@KlooGee @gschulzuio you are both correct and I was mistaken. I looked up the FAA definition of civil twilight years ago and even though I took the 107 test in 2017 and renewed it in 2019 it still did not register for me that the FAA had literally modified their own definition of civil twilight just to make it more restrictive for drones.

I will however stick with what my local FSDO stated which was that the new rules are effective on 1 March....I'm going to try to get it in writing from him as an additional safety measure.
 
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@KlooGee @gschulzuio you are both correct and I was mistaken. I looked up the FAA definition of civil twilight years ago and even though I took the 107 test in 2017 and renewed it in 2019 it still did not register for me that the FAA had literally modified their own definition of civil twilight just to make it more restrictive for drones.

I will however stick with what my local FSDO stated which was that the new rules are effective on 1 March....I'm going to try to get it in writing from him as an additional safety measure.
Your FSDO is referring to when the new training portion of the changes becomes available on March 1, 2021. March 16, 2021 is when the new regulations take effect. For example, if you take the new training on March 1, you can then fly at night without a waiver starting March 16. Otoh, if you dont take the new training until say April 1, then you can not fly at night without a waiver until April 1. Also all existing 107.29 waivers including mine expire on May 17, 2021.
 

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As far as turning off the lights on DJI products before I got into the Autels, Black electrical tape took care of that every time starting with the Inspire 1's and early Matrices, because the lights forward would often mess up late sunset shots, only on the edges, but enough to be a nuisance.
Dont forget blue painters tape ;)
 
@KlooGee @gschulzuio you are both correct and I was mistaken. I looked up the FAA definition of civil twilight years ago and even though I took the 107 test in 2017 and renewed it in 2019 it still did not register for me that the FAA had literally modified their own definition of civil twilight just to make it more restrictive for drones.

I will however stick with what my local FSDO stated which was that the new rules are effective on 1 March....I'm going to try to get it in writing from him as an additional safety measure.

As @gschulzuio mentioned, the new training becomes available March 1 that will enable to you to fly at night starting on March 16th or as soon as you've completed the online recency training. Which ever occurs later.

Also, no need to get it in writing from your FSDO, the link I provided previously already has a link in it to the documented upcoming changes in the Code of Federal Regulations. I'll copy it here:



14 CFR--PART 107​

View Printed Federal Register page 86 FR 4382 in PDF format.

Amendment(s) published January 15, 2021, in 86 FR 4382​

Effective Dates: Mar. 16, 2021

14. Amend §107.29 by revising the section heading and paragraphs (a) and (b) and adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:

§107.29 Operation at night.​

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system at night unless—

(1) The remote pilot in command of the small unmanned aircraft has completed an initial knowledge test or training, as applicable, under §107.65 after March 1, 2021; and

(2) The small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles that has a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. The remote pilot in command may reduce the intensity of, but may not extinguish, the anti-collision lighting if he or she determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to do so.

(b) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during periods of civil twilight unless the small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles that has a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. The remote pilot in command may reduce the intensity of, but may not extinguish, the anti-collision lighting if he or she determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to do so.

* * * * *​

(d) After May 17, 2021, no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system at night in accordance with a certificate of waiver issued prior to March 16, 2021 under §107.200. The certificates of waiver issued prior to March 16, 2021 under §107.200 that authorize deviation from §107.29 terminate on May 17, 2021.
 
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The 107.29 text is one of the most clearly worded and unambiguous items of all the regulations.


As @gschulzuio mentioned, the new training becomes available March 1 that will enable to you to fly at night starting on March 16th or as soon as you've completed the online recency training. Which ever occurs later.

Also, no need to get it in writing from your FSDO, the link I provided previously already has a link in it to the documented upcoming changes in the Code of Federal Regulations. I'll copy it here:



14 CFR--PART 107​

View Printed Federal Register page 86 FR 4382 in PDF format.

Amendment(s) published January 15, 2021, in 86 FR 4382​

Effective Dates: Mar. 16, 2021

14. Amend §107.29 by revising the section heading and paragraphs (a) and (b) and adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:

§107.29 Operation at night.​

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system at night unless—

(1) The remote pilot in command of the small unmanned aircraft has completed an initial knowledge test or training, as applicable, under §107.65 after March 1, 2021; and

(2) The small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles that has a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. The remote pilot in command may reduce the intensity of, but may not extinguish, the anti-collision lighting if he or she determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to do so.

(b) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system during periods of civil twilight unless the small unmanned aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles that has a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. The remote pilot in command may reduce the intensity of, but may not extinguish, the anti-collision lighting if he or she determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to do so.

* * * * *​

(d) After May 17, 2021, no person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system at night in accordance with a certificate of waiver issued prior to March 16, 2021 under §107.200. The certificates of waiver issued prior to March 16, 2021 under §107.200 that authorize deviation from §107.29 terminate on May 17, 2021.
Good info. Note one of the changes is that the RPIC may reduce the anti-collision light intensity if doing so benefits safety, however they can not be turned off. For example if flying near a road, so as to not be a safety distraction to vehicle drivers, you could dim the lights, however not turn them off. Otoh turning anti-collision lights off to be in stealth mode would not be compliant. A nice enhancement for Autel would be to add a dim mode to the light on the bottom of the Evo II in addition to the on, off, 1 sec or 2 sec modes currently supported. Btw, fwiw, imho one of the nice features of the E2P for when flying indoors (besides the prop guards) particular very large spaces is having the bottom light that can be turned on and set to 2 sec flash. Would be even nicer if Explorer remembered your last setting for the light.
 
Good info. Note one of the changes is that the RPIC may reduce the anti-collision light intensity if doing so benefits safety, however they can not be turned off. For example if flying near a road, so as to not be a safety distraction to vehicle drivers, you could dim the lights, however not turn them off. Otoh turning anti-collision lights off to be in stealth mode would not be compliant. A nice enhancement for Autel would be to add a dim mode to the light on the bottom of the Evo II in addition to the on, off, 1 sec or 2 sec modes currently supported. Btw, fwiw, imho one of the nice features of the E2P for when flying indoors (besides the prop guards) particular very large spaces is having the bottom light that can be turned on and set to 2 sec flash. Would be even nicer if Explorer remembered your last setting for the light.
Yes, having the flashing downward LED is nice and something I would like to see DJI integrate into their downward LED as well!
 
My newest favorite feature is the ability to turn off both the front AND rear lights on the EVO II. Its almost comical what you can get used to when you use a DJI product, like not being in full control over even the lights on the drone. Many times I wished I could turn off all of the lights on the DJI drones and it was not possible through the app. Even as early as the Phantom 2, DJI has never let you turn off the rear lights and only let you turn off the front lights because they could affect the camera in low light scenarios.

In my area there are so many arbitrary (and usually unenforceable) rules that venues have created to stop people from using drones that every additional option to be inconspicuous is helpful. Tonight was a classic example, I was doing some lowlight filming at a venue that had banned all drones. I simply made sure that I did not take off or land on their property and adhered to all Part 107 regulations as per the FAA vs the venue.

Another drone pilot in the same area was far less cautious, not only was he on their property he was using a DJI drone which of course advertised its exact location with all of the flashing lights. Needless to say, within 5min he was being escorted off the property with a warning that law enforcement would be called if he did it again; meanwhile not a single person knew the EVO II was about 150' higher up filming the content that I needed. Between the low noise props, the ability to disable all of the lights, and the overall quieter operation of the EVO II vs. the DJI drones, this just might be the stealthiest consumer drone money can buy. Of course there is the whole bright orange problem, but a simple vinyl wrap can fix that if needed.
Can i still fly my evo 2 drone without the lights??
 
Can i still fly my evo 2 drone without the lights??
No, not at night, you still have to have your strobe lights on and be visible, this is part of whats covered in the new initial and new recurrent part 107 test as part of night flights, also covered in TRUST.
 
Can i still fly my evo 2 drone without the lights??

From a technical perspective yes you can at least with my firmware version. Not sure if you were asking from a technical perspective or from a legal perspective. Legally, you can as well if you are in a place where the FAA or another government agency does not have jurisdiction such as overseas, offshore (international waters), indoors, etc or if you are in a country where it is not prohibited or if you travel to a country where it is not prohibited.

It is great that the EVO II puts personal responsibility in the hands of the owner vs forcing the people who paid for their products to adhere to their version of it (like DJI does). I am not sure if later firmware versions retained this feature since I don't believe in updating my FW. I would assume however that they have kept this capability in later FW versions.

No, not at night, you still have to have your strobe lights on and be visible, this is part of whats covered in the new initial and new recurrent part 107 test as part of night flights, also covered in TRUST.

The FAA doesn't govern the world, there's plenty of places where you can turn off all of the lights. I assume you were referring to if @Heyhey is in a location that is regulated by the FAA. You probably have later FW than I do, maybe you could answer from a technical perspective if the later FW still allows turning off all of the lights.
 
The FAA doesn't govern the world, there's plenty of places where you can turn off all of the lights. I assume you were referring to if @Heyhey is in a location that is regulated by the FAA. You probably have later FW than I do, maybe you could answer from a technical perspective if the later FW still allows turning off all of the lights.
My response was based on here in the US, not sure where @Heyhey is located. I keep my FW/SW up to date, have not seen any changes to enable/disable LED as well as bottom lights across FW/SW versions. In fact, wish Autel would add a persistent setting for the bottom strobe to be what ever it was last set too.
 
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My response was based on here in the US, not sure where @Heyhey is located. I keep my FW/SW up to date, have not seen any changes to enable/disable LED as well as bottom lights across FW/SW versions. In fact, wish Autel would add a persistent setting for the bottom strobe to be what ever it was last set too.

It was hard to tell if the OP was asking from a technical perspective or a legal perspective. I have noticed many settings do not persist with Autel; including if you select Ludicrous mode it will reset to regular mode on the next battery, the lights all reset to their defaults the next time the drone is restarted, even the camera settings such as sharpness and contrast do not persist, etc. It is also annoying that the landing light cannot be disabled.......but I digress.
 
It was hard to tell if the OP was asking from a technical perspective or a legal perspective. I have noticed many settings do not persist with Autel; including if you select Ludicrous mode it will reset to regular mode on the next battery, the lights all reset to their defaults the next time the drone is restarted, even the camera settings such as sharpness and contrast do not persist, etc. It is also annoying that the landing light cannot be disabled.......but I digress.

I have the option to disable the landing light. Do you mean the bottom light? There are several options for it (auto, off, on, flash 1 second, flash 2 seconds).
 

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