Even with a spotter, you lose sight within 150 feet away.
I use a mini strobe on mine if I have trouble spotting it in the sky.
The FAA doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of ‘visual line of sight’ (VLOS). What they really mean is ‘sight.’ VLOS technically means there’s no visual obstruction between an observer and an object, not that it can necessarily be seen. This term is misused when applied to FAA regulations.
Many drone pilots ignore this regulation. For instance, FPV goggles users violate it unless they have a spotter, which rarely happens. Some regulations, like needing to know a drone’s altitude just by visual observation, are nearly impossible to follow.
In short, the rules need an overhaul—they’re poorly written and impractical.
You can turn on the Mini 4 Pro’s auxiliary LED lighting:
- Tap the top-right menu in the app.
- Go to ‘Safety’ and find ‘Auxiliary LED.’
Modes:
- Auto: Light activates during takeoff and landing.
- Full On: Stays on for the entire flight.
- Off: Disables the light.
Strobes can help. I use Velcro-mounted 3-mile strobes to keep the drone visible. Recommended brands:
- Vifly
- BRDRC
- STARTRC
The idea of VLOS isn’t just about physically seeing the drone but being aware of its location and monitoring the airspace for manned aircraft. If something happens, you should never be unaware of your drone’s position.
I agree with the interpretation that it’s about airspace awareness rather than literal sight. For example, I avoid flying my drone out of view when trees are obstructing my line of sight but have plenty of room in open areas like the Texas Panhandle.