Flying a drone at night has a unique visual magic. Illuminated Prague, light trails of cars along the Sázava river, skylines of smaller towns like Říčany or Benešov, dark horizons of Central Bohemia, vineyards in Moravia or mountain villages in Slovakia – everything transforms after sunset.
For professional drone cinematographers and photographers, night is an opportunity to deliver footage that simply cannot be captured during the day. Night aerial filming is attractive not only for filmmakers but also for marketing, tourism or visual inspections.
Legislation: What every drone pilot must know
According to European EASA regulations, enforced in the Czech Republic by the Civil Aviation Authority (ÚCL), night flying is legal but requires strict compliance with operating rules:
Operation categories:Open category – suitable for low-risk flights. Limits: max 120 m AGL, VLOS at all times, maintaining distance from people and restricted areas. Subcategories A1, A2, A3 define how close the drone may be to people and which classes (C0–C4) are allowed. Commercial flights are allowed once Open category rules are met.Specific category – for operations beyond Open limits (e.g., near crowds, dense urban environments, complex scenes). Requires an authorization from the CAA or operation under a standard scenario (STS) or SORA risk assessment. Typical use: filming in central Prague, industrial inspections in Moravia, or special projects in Slovakia.
Other mandatory rules:Navigation lights: green/red position LEDs plus recommended white strobe for visibility.VLOS: drone must remain visually observable at all times.Operator registration + A1/A3 or A2 certificate required.Geofencing zones: no-fly zones near airports, hospitals, military sites, national parks.Permissions: commercial flights or protected areas may require an ÚCL permit.Urban heritage: flying over people or landmarks (e.g., Prague Castle) is prohibited without authorization.
Lighting the drone: be visible, be safe
Position lights: red/green LEDs for directional awareness.Strobe light: greatly increases visibility, supports VLOS.Mounting: must not be blocked by the drone or gimbal.Visibility test: test at dusk and at full night.
Equipment: how to set up a drone for night photo/video
For professional night aerial recording you need:Large sensor (1" or bigger) – DJI Mavic 3, Air 3, Inspire 3...Fast lens (f/2.8 or lower) – better low-light performance.External LED modules – safety + creative edge.Action camera – GoPro, DJI Action, Insta360 for additional angles.
Camera settingsISO: keep low (≤800) – higher = noise.Shutter: video ~1/50 at 25 fps, photo up to ~3 sec.Color profile: Log/Flat for grading, but watch noise in shadows.Blue hour: ideal conditions just after sunset.Filters: ND filters at night are pointless.
Sound: why a drone is not a microphone
Drones do not record usable sound. External mics or remote audio recorders are required. Ambient city, forest or industrial sound is added later in post.
Safety: how to fly at night without risk
Location scouting in daylight.Battery care – cold reduces capacity.Flight style – slow movements, stable lines.Orientation – fly in open spaces.Emergency RTH plan.Observer recommended for VLOS.
Locations for night aerial filming
Prague: Castle panorama, Charles Bridge, Vyšehrad, Karlín modern area.Central Bohemia: Sázava region, Křivoklátsko, Beroun, Říčany.Moravia: Brno, Mikulov, Pálava vineyards, Jeseníky.Slovakia: High Tatras, Liptov, Trenčín, Bratislava.CZ in general: castles, chateaux, villages, industrial inspection zones.
Night inspections with drones
Possible if the target is illuminated. RGB cameras without IR or thermal vision have limited capability.
Workflow: night flight preparation
Pre-flightCheck geozones & permits.Update FW, calibrate sensors.Check lighting & VLOS.Camera setup – ISO, shutter, WB.During flightSmooth motions, steady trajectories.Composition – reflections, contrast, light distance.After flightReview footage for noise & sharpness.Denoise + grade in post.Add ambient sound externally.
Common beginner mistakes
Insufficient lighting.Too high ISO.Unfamiliar terrain.No permits.Ignoring temperature.
Summary
Legal: lights, VLOS, registration, geozones.Tech: good drone, fast optics, stable flight.Safety: site scouting, batteries, observer.Areas: Prague, Central Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia.Sound: external only.Inspections: light-dependent.
Conclusion: why night flying matters
Night aerial filming in the Czech Republic, Moravia and Slovakia is legal but demands responsibility. Every professional drone pilot must follow air law, maintain VLOS, use proper lighting and fly only in permitted zones.When prepared correctly – from geozone checks to exposure control – night flights deliver premium visuals impossible during the day: illuminated Prague, silent Bohemian villages, Moravian vineyards, Slovak mountain silhouettes.Night filming is a creative and commercial asset – for ads, tourism, music videos or inspections – a skill that separates a professional pilot from an amateur.
Professional applications
Marketing – night skylines feel premium.Tourism – cities/regions use night FPV & cinematic footage.Film/music – night ambience adds depth.Inspections – industrial sites & transport infra if illuminated.
Legal notice
This article is informational only. Drone regulations – especially night flying – may change over time. Always verify with ÚCL or EASA before flight.
