Size matters.

During my training for my PFCO there was one candidate who had a Mavic on pre-order. He knew everything about it and ensured that the tutor related aspects of our learning to features of the Mavic. By the end of the course, we all knew all about it too! lovely bloke though and he was understandably excited, I was excited for him, it's arguably the most sophisticated and advanced drone Dji have made and as we know. It's small, like really small, fold away, put in your pocket small. It's truly amazing.
Several of us have completed our Operations manuals and attended the practical assessment. To our relief for the purpose of the assessment, we're allowed to use the advanced features our aircrafts have. After all, our Operations manuals specify the aircraft we fly, so it stands to reason the practical assessment is based on the operations manual, and indeed the limitations.

However, one of the guidelines in CAP722 on Page 35 point 3.11 states

Operating within Visual Line of Sight means that the Remote Pilot is able to maintain direct, unaided (other than corrective lenses) visual contact with the UA which is sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vessels, vehicles and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions. Within the UK, VLOS operations are normally accepted out to a maximum distance of 500 m horizontally and 400 ft vertically from the Remote Pilot. Operations at a greater distance from the Remote Pilot may be permitted if an acceptable safety case is submitted. For example, if the aircraft is large it may be justifiable that its flight path can be monitored visually at a greater distance than 500 m. Conversely, for some small aircraft, operations out to a distance of 500m may mean it is not possible to assure or maintain adequate visual contact. 

Indeed VLOS (Visual line of sight) is referred to time and time again for safe drone operation, but you see the thing is, 500m is pretty generous, incredibly generous to be honest. At night (which is prohibited without special permission granted) with the LED's lit up bright, 500m is just about workable, in the day, glance down at your controller, and you'd be forgiven for having a mild panic about where your aircraft is in the sky when you look up, and bear in mind, I'm talking here about a phantom. Bring in the much smaller Mavic and sure enough, theres a new problem we've got. From his estimation he shared with us earlier today, 270m is pretty much where VLOS ends. This is ok for most jobs (it's still a 1/2 km range from take off point East to West, or North to South) but it's enough to have him consider re-writing his ops manual to ensure that the flight test he has doesn't put him to a disadvantage. 

This is something I hadn't considered as an issue until today, although I am sure most pilots who fly by fps only wouldn't even care, but should one go astray and become involved in an incident, I am certain this would become something prosecutors would consider in evidence against the Pilot. 

Small drone.... harder to see in the distance, not all good things come in small packages. 

Reminded me of the video above.