Does anyone try a range test for your new p4p? I did but totally disappointed><"

[ringolong]

To be fair, he achieved that distance by flying at 1049' above his launch point, instead of no more than 400'.

Can't really test max distance then since VLOS is in the same guideline as the 400 foot recommendation.
https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf

It's good to be an AMA member so the 400 foot does not apply to me and other members while hobby flying.

"AMA members who abide by the AMA Safety Code, which permits flights above 400 feet under appropriate circumstances, and are protected by the Special Rule for Model Aircraft under the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act."

Update - UAS Registration Frequently Asked Questions | AMA Government Relations Blog

 

[F3honda4me]

I've been doing some testing of an RTH issue and have made many routine flights out to a mile or more (P4P+) and have never seen less than full signal bars and zero video breakup. That's not much of a test and I haven't gone any further because where I am right now I must maintain a low altitude due to airport proximity, but FWIW a mile or so has always been rock-solid. I think only 1200' must be indicative of some sort of problem with the individual unit.

Agreed. Just did a test on my p4p today as I just received it. Got past 5000' which is the limit my P4 did on the same spot. I had no video or range issues to 5500' and will do a longer test another day.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Can't really test max distance then since VLOS is in the same guideline as the 400 foot recommendation.
https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf

It's good to be an AMA member so the 400 foot does not apply to me and other members while hobby flying.

"AMA members who abide by the AMA Safety Code, which permits flights above 400 feet under appropriate circumstances, and are protected by the Special Rule for Model Aircraft under the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act."

Update - UAS Registration Frequently Asked Questions | AMA Government Relations Blog

Still doesn't exempt you from VLOS, last time I checked...

 

[KevMo Photog]

Still doesn't exempt you from VLOS, last time I checked...

I thought 400ft was kind of the rule no matter whether your hobby or commerial with 107? Isn't that right?

 

[GadgetGuy]

I thought 400ft was kind of the rule no matter whether your hobby or commerial with 107? Isn't that right?

AMA, at their flying fields, can exceed 400' AGL under certain circumstances, but the VLOS will get you, long before that would be helpful, for long distance flying.

 

[ringolong]

Still doesn't exempt you from VLOS, last time I checked...

Above 400 foot is not beyond VLOS.

 

[ringolong]

I thought 400ft was kind of the rule no matter whether your hobby or commerial with 107? Isn't that right?

Wrong.

 

[ringolong]

AMA, at their flying fields, can exceed 400' AGL under certain circumstances, but the VLOS will get you, long before that would be helpful, for long distance flying.

Wrong. A member does not have to be on an AMA field to exceed 400 ft.

 

[KevMo Photog]

Wrong.

Oh, ok thanks for that!

 

[ringolong]

Oh, ok thanks for that!

This previous post shows that 400 is not the limit for everyone. It was before your post so you may have missed it.
Does anyone try a range test for your new p4p? I did but totally disappointed><"

Don't believe everything you read on these forums. I would always research everything.

 

[KevMo Photog]

This previous post shows that 400 is not the limit for everyone. It was before your post so you may have missed it.
Does anyone try a range test for your new p4p? I did but totally disappointed><"

Don't believe everything you read on these forums. I would always research everything.

Not sure what you mean. I followed to earlier post but the link just says that VLOS is a must ect. What is your point on the 400ft high issue?

 

[ringolong]

AMA members are allowed to fly higher than 400 foot.

 

[driehl]

Wow.. I keep reading the same people indicating crappy range on there p4...(not pro) why would you not have sent it back? Obviously something is wrong with your p4.. like I have said before 2 miles is the easy norm on mine.. and I have friends that have the same type of range. Unboosted! So to sum things up..if your p4 has terrible range...sent it in for service because its not normal!

Sent from my Nexus 6 using PhantomPilots mobile app

 

[F3honda4me]

Update - UAS Registration Frequently Asked Questions | AMA Government Relations Blog

Q: Am I permitted to fly above 400 feet? What if I had to check a box saying otherwise on the federal registration website?

A: Yes. AMA members who abide by the AMA Safety Code, which permits flights above 400 feet under appropriate circumstances, and are protected by the Special Rule for Model Aircraft under the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act. Checking the box on the federal registration webpage signifies an understanding of the 400 foot guideline. This is an important safety principle that all UAS operators need to be aware of, and is the same guideline established in AC 91-57 published in 1981. However, the placement of this guideline on the FAA website is intended as an educational piece and more specifically intended for those operating outside of AMA’s safey program. We have been in discussions with the FAA about this point and the agency has indicted that it will be updating its website in the next week to make clear that this altitude guideline is not intended to supplant the guidance and safety procedures established in AMA’s safety program.


Please note, you can be following all rules of the AMA safety code and NOT be at an AMA airfield, so you do not need to be at an AMA airfield to exceed 400' either.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Wrong. A member does not have to be on an AMA field to exceed 400 ft.

Who said they did? The statement I wrote is 100% true. Before you call it wrong, reread it!
It's completely irrelevant for the discussion at hand of exceeding 400 feet AGL in order to increase your range because the VLOS requirement still cannot be satisfied!

 

[ringolong]

Who said they did? The statement I wrote is 100% true. Before you call it wrong, read it!
It's completely irrelevant for the discussion at hand of exceeding 400 feet AGL in order to increase your range because the VLOS requirement still cannot be satisfied!

"AMA, at their flying fields" <-- you said it right here.

"To be fair, he achieved that distance by flying at 1049' above his launch point, instead of no more than 400'. "

So you think you should get rated distance at no more than 400 ft AGL?

 

[GadgetGuy]

"AMA, at their flying fields" <-- you said it right here.

"To be fair, he achieved that distance by flying at 1049' above his launch point, instead of no more than 400'. "

So you think you should get rated distance at no more than 400 ft AGL?

View attachment 70382

Instead of beating a dead horse over 400 feet, you should, instead, be addressing the real limiter of VLOS, which you have yet to respond to. If you need to fly above 400 feet to achieve great distance, you have already lost VLOS, which is mandatory even for all AMA members. Read your AMA Rules!

Instead of putting words in my mouth, why don't you more carefully reread my well chosen words and the AMA's!

If you can only get close to the rated distance by flying 1049' above your launch point, whether you agree with VLOS or not, you are already in violation of your safe harbor AMA Flying Rules, and therefore are not flying in compliance with them, and are therefore also not entitled to fly above 400 feet AGL anywhere! You cannot pick and choose which AMA Rules to follow. It's all of them, or none of them.

I never said "only at their flying fields."
You imagined that part.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Update - UAS Registration Frequently Asked Questions | AMA Government Relations Blog

Q: Am I permitted to fly above 400 feet? What if I had to check a box saying otherwise on the federal registration website?

A: Yes. AMA members who abide by the AMA Safety Code, which permits flights above 400 feet under appropriate circumstances, and are protected by the Special Rule for Model Aircraft under the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act. Checking the box on the federal registration webpage signifies an understanding of the 400 foot guideline. This is an important safety principle that all UAS operators need to be aware of, and is the same guideline established in AC 91-57 published in 1981. However, the placement of this guideline on the FAA website is intended as an educational piece and more specifically intended for those operating outside of AMA’s safey program. We have been in discussions with the FAA about this point and the agency has indicted that it will be updating its website in the next week to make clear that this altitude guideline is not intended to supplant the guidance and safety procedures established in AMA’s safety program.


Please note, you can be following all rules of the AMA safety code and NOT be at an AMA airfield, so you do not need to be at an AMA airfield to exceed 400' either.

You cannot fly beyond VLOS under the AMA Safety Code. If you are flying beyond VLOS, you are no longer allowed to fly above 400 feet anywhere, as you are no longer in compliance with the AMA Safety Code. It's all or nothing!

 

[GadgetGuy]

All regulations and rules aside, the P4P is a photographer's and videographer's tool. If, in order to achieve the advertised range of 4.3 miles, you have to be even as high as 400 feet AGL, your photographic opportunities are extremely limited at that distance and no longer unique. Google Earth is a 500' AGL view. If you are over 1,000 feet AGL, like in the range distance video, there's not much to shoot. Most of my shooting is well under 200 feet AGL, and preferably 100 feet AGL or less, whenever possible. That's where I plan to use the P4P+.

 

[ringolong]

Instead of beating a dead horse over 400 feet, you should, instead, be addressing the real limiter of VLOS, which you have yet to respond to. If you need to fly above 400 feet to achieve great distance, you have already lost VLOS, which is mandatory even for all AMA members. Read your AMA Rules!

Instead of putting words in my mouth, why don't you more carefully reread my well chosen words and the AMA's!

If you can only get close to the rated distance by flying 1049' above your launch point, whether you agree with VLOS or not, you are already in violation of your safe harbor AMA Flying Rules, and therefore are not flying in compliance with them, and are therefore also not entitled to fly above 400 feet AGL anywhere! You cannot pick and choose which AMA Rules to follow. It's all of them, or none of them.

I never said "only at their flying fields."
You imagined that part.

I really don't care. I already ordered a p4p long before you popped up in here, and I do not typically do long range flights, or fly over 400 ft.