The Los Angeles County Regional Training Center is now:

The Regional Training Center

sUAS Nighttime Operators Course

Learn how to safely and lawfully use this life-saving resource for nighttime public safety operations

Course Summary

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) are powerful tools for first responders. However, nighttime operations add complexity that requires specific training and equipment. The FAA maintains that an “applicant must assure all required persons participating in the small unmanned aircraft operation have the knowledge to recognize and overcome visual illusions caused by darkness and understand physiological conditions which may degrade night vision.”

In this course, students identify night visual illusions and the physiological degradation occurring in darkness, then develop mitigating strategies. Students use state-of-the-art equipment to perform nighttime UAS operations couched in reality-based public safety mission sets.

Students will:

Explain the FAA requirements to operate a UAV in darkness
Receive at least six hours as a member of a nighttime UAS flight crew
Log at least two hours of flight time.
Use thermal imagery equipped UAVs for nighttime operations
Use Infrared equipped UAVs for nighttime operations
Use white light equipped UAVs for nighttime operations
Demonstrate support of nighttime public safety operations
Understand the human physiological effects during night operations
Identify visual illusions associated with night flying
Develop techniques to mitigate the risks of night operations
Examine equipment requirements for operating during hours of darkness
Create risk mitigation strategies for night operations

Course Information

Part Number: NOP-21
Course Length: 2 days (16 hours)
Max Class Size: 15 students
Prerequisites: LACRTC 32-hour sUAS Operators Course, or 16-hour Basic Pilots Course, or equivalent training
Technical Level: Advanced sUAS Operators
Student Requirements: Twenty (20) hours of logged flight time
Recommended For: sUAS Operators and Supervisors / Tactical Teams
Notes: None

Course Presentation Requirements

Classroom large enough to accommodate three groups of five students per table (recommended 6’ round tables)
One six-foot standard rectangle banquet-style table with three chairs for instructors (located in the back of the room)
One six-foot standard rectangle banquet-style table (located in the front of the classroom)
Internet Access
Podium (If available, not required)
Audio, projector & screen or equivalent flatscreen TV system for presentations
Securable room for equipment storage and charging 250-350 square feet (must have access to power)
Class G airspace (or otherwise permissible to fly at night) with a minimum 200-foot ceiling
Outdoor flying area
- Three flight zones approximately the size of a tennis or basketball court, one for each group or a cleared area approximately the size of a football field.
- Flat unobstructed area clear of trees and overhead power lines/obstacles
All COVID-19 protocols, testing, cleaning, and supplies are the responsibility of the host agency.

Course Scheduling

LACRTC, America’s leading Unmanned Aircraft Systems training innovator and largest certified California public safety trainer, is pleased to announce that they have partnered with Khepra Inc. to present their training courses through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule under Contract Number 47QTCA1800KZ. LACRTC courses can be found in Special Item Numbers 611512 (flight training).