Are those drone or aircraft lights in the night sky? Graphics explain the difference

More Americans are reporting drones flying at night in states beyond New Jersey, where thousands of sightings have been reported over the past month. But what are those lights in the dark people are seeing? It can be difficult to tell from a distance.

Residents have been photographing lights in the sky since reports of drones started circulating in mid-November. Sightings have been reported in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio and other states.

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Some of those photos are of drones. But others are conventional aircraft, including helicopters and commercial airliners. Knowing what lights are used is helpful in determining what you’re looking at.

Aircraft and drones are required to have special sets of lights to make them visible after nightfall. Though not all lights are duplicated in each craft, here is what they include, according to pilotinstitute.com.

What are those aircraft lights in the sky?

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Aircraft in flight

• Navigation lights: These are non-flashing red on the left wingtip, green on the right, and white on the tail. They help observers determine the aircraft’s position or orientation. Helicopters have green lights on the right side, red on the left, and white on the tail.
• Anti-collision lights (red): Also known as beacon lights, these are flashing red lights on the top of the aircraft. Larger aircraft may have them on the bottom of the fuselage. Helicopters usually have anti-collision lights on the top and bottom of the fuselage.
• Strobe lights (white): These are flashing white lights on aircraft wingtips that increase visibility. They are used in flight and while the plane is moving on the runway. Their location on helicopters depends on the craft's design.

Aircraft landing or taxiing

• Landing lights: These are powerful white lights on the nose, wings or under the fuselage that are turned on when the aircraft is landing to light up the runway.
• Taxi lights: These are used once the aircraft has landed and is taxiing to a jetway or hangar. They let the pilots see what’s ahead but they’re not as bright as landing lights.
• Runway turnoff lights: These extra lights are found on both sides of the aircraft’s nose to illuminate runway exits.

Drone flights

It’s legal to fly most drones at 400 feet or below in most areas, but there are restrictions, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Drones that are flown at night, defined as starting 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise, must have anti-collision lights visible from up to 3 statute miles away and a flash rate "sufficient to avoid a collision," according to federal code.

Drone owners can add lights for increased visibility.

If you’re flying a drone for videos or newsgathering, you must have a drone pilot certificate and follow the FAA's Small UAS Rule. 

Without authorization, you can't fly a drone:

• In controlled airspace around an airport.
• Over a designated national security area.
• Over military bases or infrastructure.
• Over national landmarks.
• In airspace covered by Temporary Flight Restrictions.

People should check the movement of the craft they're observing. Aircraft and helicopters usually move in a straight line, but drones can stop quickly and change course.

SOURCE Paste BN Network reporting and research; Reuters; pilotinstitute.com; Federal Aviation Administration; ecfr.gov