Seems pretty easy unless you are just trying to pick a fight
.... the FAA
website states specifically and clearly
:
Individuals flying for hobby or recreation are strongly encouraged to follow safety guidelines, which include:
- Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles
So... it all depends upon where you take your ground level measurement and takeoff with the Phantom since we know "altitude zero" is the AMSL from where it started... you can use the resulting telemetry data and UI on the flight app to defend yourself if questioned by FAA/LEO... and of course, they'll factor intent of the guidelines and how responsible you were to their "encouragement"...
So basically you have no intention of actually following the guideline. You are saying just being able to say I followed even if you are not?
So before you get into a rant, let's get on same page first. If you agree to these 3 points below:
1. the world is not flat.
2. Phantom based all height measurement from the point of take-off
3. FAA guideline stipulate 400 AGL (the ground which is directly below the drone, NOT where it takes off from)
So tell me, if you fly off a cliff that is 500 feet high over above the cliff, you are already over 400 AGL.
Give #1, #2, and #3 to be true (if you disagree, then no point going further), how do you propose to strictly follow FAA guideline (see #3) when #1 and #2 is true and you are not flying in a flat area?
No this may seem like argumentative for Missouri, at very hilly California coastline, it isn't. Anytime I fly off a hill toward the beach, it already exceeded the 400 AGL even if I take off at only 50 feet AGL.