Line-of-Sight past 1 mile?

HiloHawaiian · May 15, 2019

We all know the FAA rule about keeping drones in LOS. Even under idea conditions I can’t honestly say I can see my bright orange XSP past 1 mile, and an XSP is easier to see than an EVO/Mavic/Anafi. Sometimes at dusk I can see it a mile+ away b/c of the blinking lights against a dark sky, but not in daylight. If your eyes glance down at the RC for a second, you look-up and it’s gone.

Watching distance reviews of EVO/Mavic/Anafi on YouTube — the pilots can’t see those smaller drones out 2 miles, can they? I’ve never seen any of them use spotters either. Can any of you REALLY see your drone past a mile?

Ansia · May 15, 2019

Thing is, according to the FAA, the visual observer must be within reach of the PIC, therefore they will be able to track your drone about the same distance as you.

Normex · May 15, 2019

I glued a big lighted stogie that I can see its smoke and follow its smell should it decide to land before I say so.

HiloHawaiian · May 15, 2019

Ansia said:
Thing is, according to the FAA, the visual observer must be within reach of the PIC, therefore they will be able to track your drone about the same distance as you.

Great point, I forgot...

Nightbat2 · May 16, 2019

I’m amazed that so many pilots have superhuman vision.

According to information given as part of the CASA (Australian equivalent of FAA) Remote Pilot Licence exam, ‘the perfect human eye’ would be able to see an object sized 300mm2 at up to 1,000 metres. Given that a Phantom 4 is about half that size (150mm2), it should be visible only up to 500 metres. That was my answer and it got the tick. While the Evo is smaller, maybe the colour changes the equation

Ansia · May 16, 2019

Nightbat2 said:
I’m amazed that so many pilots have superhuman vision.

According to information given as part of the CASA (Australian equivalent of FAA) Remote Pilot Licence exam, ‘the perfect human eye’ would be able to see an object sized 300mm2 at up to 1,000 metres. Given that a Phantom 4 is about half that size (150mm2), it should be visible only up to 500 metres. That was my answer and it got the tick. While the Evo is smaller, maybe the colour changes the equation

This is about right. I lose sight of the Evo in around the 300m area.

Nightbat2 · May 16, 2019

Wonder if anyone makes a small, self-powered strobe light that would fit the Evo. I’ve seen something on the Phantom, but it has much longer legs. Also, you’d need to be able to position it so that it did not interfere with the camera exposure.

Ansia · May 16, 2019

Nightbat2 said:
Wonder if anyone makes a small, self-powered strobe light that would fit the Evo. I’ve seen something on the Phantom, but it has much longer legs. Also, you’d need to be able to position it so that it did not interfere with the camera exposure.

Use the Mavic's version. Should fit the Evo just fine.

Normex · May 16, 2019

Nightbat2 said:
Wonder if anyone makes a small, self-powered strobe light that would fit the Evo. I’ve seen something on the Phantom, but it has much longer legs. Also, you’d need to be able to position it so that it did not interfere with the camera exposure.

We have these one on Amazon.ca and cheap but .com shows unavailable .

Amazon.ca

Nightbat2 · May 16, 2019

Normex said:
We have these one on Amazon.ca and cheap but .com shows unavailable .

Amazon.ca

Thanks. Will check.

Nightbat2 · May 16, 2019

Ansia said:
Use the Mavic's version. Should fit the Evo just fine.

Didn’t realise anyone did them for the Mavic so yes, probably would work. Think I’d be inclined to place one near the rear end so that I’d didn’t affect the video. What do you think?

Ansia · May 16, 2019

Nightbat2 said:
Didn’t realise anyone did them for the Mavic so yes, probably would work. Think I’d be inclined to place one near the rear end so that I’d didn’t affect the video. What do you think?

I would place them in the front leg, facing backwards. This way it will flash backward and not affect the camera, but iluminating the most area. I plan on installing 2. 1 red and 1 green like on an airplane.

Nightbat2 · May 16, 2019

Ansia said:
I would place them in the front leg, facing backwards. This way it will flash backward and not affect the camera, but iluminating the most area. I plan on installing 2. 1 red and 1 green like on an airplane.

Have checked out Firehouse Technology. They look the goods.

Jagerbomb52 · May 16, 2019

Why don't you guys get these for your EVO's?

Carolina Dronz

carolinadronz.com

Nightbat2 · May 16, 2019

Agustine said:
Why don't you guys get these for your EVO's?

Carolina Dronz

carolinadronz.com

Certainly seem a better option than industrial Velcro.

norman.hicks.35 · May 17, 2019

I’m using https://aerial-pixel.com/dronepilo...ouse-Technology/p/125322105/category=23668079 with the Firehouse ARC II’s for red and green with a white on top.

Nightbat2 · May 17, 2019

norman.hicks.35 said:
I’m using https://aerial-pixel.com/dronepilots/index.html?devicelock=desktop#!/Autel-EVO-LED-Strobe-Light-Mount-for-STROBON-Cree-Flytron-and-Firehouse-Technology/p/125322105/category=23668079 with the Firehouse ARC II’s for red and green with a white on top.

Thanks. They look good. Will check to see if they ship to Australia.

butch · May 18, 2019

Nightbat2 said:
Thanks. They look good. Will check to see if they ship to Australia.

These look interesting to say the least. I have a question though: The ads say that the strobs are visible up to 3 miles (night), but no mention of daylight.
Does anyone know how far visible in daylight? And what color would be most visible?
Actually, that is 2 questions.
butch

Nightbat2 · May 18, 2019

butch said:
These look interesting to say the least. I have a question though: The ads say that the strobs are visible up to 3 miles (night), but no mention of daylight.
Does anyone know how far visible in daylight? And what color would be most visible?
Actually, that is 2 questions.
butch

They should be visible against dark backgrounds and in low light.. According to the website, White is the most visible.