Sundance Media Group (SMG) will offer practical Night UAV flight training course to equip UAV pilots with the knowledge, skills and confidence to pilot your UAV at night safely, efficiently and effectively.

Greater than 70 percent of our flying information comes through the eye and the eye is easily fooled at night. This is compounded by the inexperienced pilot alternating views between a tabled/lighted display and the position of the UAV in the sky. Night flying has a higher accident rate than identical day flying, both in UAV and manned aviation. Why? Depth perception is severely distorted, as is reaction time. There are also visual illusions that need to be recognized and mitigated. This session will provide information that will allow pilots to sidestep these challenges, while properly assessing and managing the risks associated with night flight (as waived per Part 107.29). You’ll also learn the foundation of applying for a COW/COA for night flight from an experienced night-flight pilot.

• Theoretical Training (2 hours)  (Henderson Executive Airport)

After a comprehensive theory session, we will travel to the nearby night flight location for some practical experience. We’ll present different types of visual illusions that commonly occur at night. In this practical hands-on class, we will discuss visual illusions as well as best practices for night flying. We will cover Autokinesis and Night Landing Illusions and how to avoid them. We will also discuss acclimating your eye for night flight. We will also cover the use of lights to illuminate our subjects and how to avoid “light contamination” in our eyes.

• Practical Flight Training (2 hours)  (In the field!)
  • Overview of pre-planning checklist
    • Outline for the day
    • Wind Speed/weather check
    • Location overview: On-site walkthrough of potential obstacles/issues
    • Safety & Emergency procedures (requirement of aircraft lighting)
    • Equipment check, site setup, and basic flight controls
  • Overview of Night Flight UAV flight requirements
    • Airspace & notification requirements
    • Communication with ground crew and Visual Observer
  • UAV Night Flight with craft of choice

Every attendee will receive:

• A Night UAV Flight Handbook
• Boxed Dinner before heading out to the field for practical training
• A red flashlight
• Post-Class, a certificate of completion*

*The certificate of night flight training, which can be used to expedite your FAA waiver.