What is a potential hazard when flying sUAS at night?

Limited visibility and increased difficulty in maintaining visual line of sight (VLOS) is a significant hazard when flying small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) at night. The ability to see the drone clearly and maintain awareness of its surroundings is crucial for safe operation. Night flying presents challenges such as decreased illumination, which can obscure the pilot’s ability to see the drone and its path, as well as any obstacles in the environment. This can increase the likelihood of collisions with other objects, both airborne and ground-based, leading to potential accidents.

In contrast, the other factors provide less concern for safety during nighttime operations. Increased battery life is typically not a characteristic associated with night flying, as darkness does not affect battery performance. Similarly, while there may be less air traffic at night, this does not negate the risks associated with limited visibility. Finally, reduced weather variance does not specifically pertain to nighttime flying, as weather conditions can change regardless of the time of day. Therefore, option A accurately highlights the unique and significant risk associated with flying sUAS at night.