Flying at night in built-up areas.

Shooting by night

Night aerial photography in Clichy: DCOMDRONE carries out an authorized and secure night drone flight on the modernization site of the water pre-treatment plant in Clichy-la-Garenne.

We've already discussed the restrictions associated with flying drones at night in this blog. These regulations remain strict, but they do provide for exceptions in a professional setting, provided that specific administrative procedures and stricter safety rules are followed.

At DCOMDRONE , we are able to carry out this type of nighttime mission. Recently, the company SEVCOM contacted us to provide aerial drone photography on the construction site of the wastewater pretreatment plant in Clichy-La-Garenne.

This service, carried out in the middle of the night and without a moon, required obtaining a prefectural decree and implementing appropriate procedures.

How to make a drone flight legal at night?

• Submission of an exemption request to the prefecture (minimum 30 days before the mission).

• Installation of secure lighting in the take-off/landing area.

• Equipping the drone with lighting devices to maintain flight conditions in view.

• Careful preparation of the site and communication with all the “actors” working on the site.

What are the specific risks?

At night, the remote pilot faces increased difficulties in visual perception, particularly in judging distances. To limit these risks, the mission begins well before nightfall, to familiarize the pilot with the environment (height of buildings and cranes).

This step is a rehearsal of the drone's movements and shots in daytime conditions.

Flying a drone at night requires extreme vigilance. In the dark, the pilot's attention is constantly required: they must simultaneously monitor their remote control screen and the drone in flight, while powerful spotlights illuminate the work areas on the construction site. This intense concentration, combined with reduced visibility, leads to significant fatigue throughout the mission.

Pose de la cheminée

👉 This operation in Clichy perfectly illustrates our know-how in night-time aerial captures by drone: an expertise that combines regulatory mastery, safety and image quality in the service of technical and spectacular projects.