Originally Posted by
callum
So does this mean that 500 is a hard limit even if you are miles away from any person, place or object?
Once it comes in - legally yes - 500ft above ground or water, no matter whether there is a person there or not.
Last I heard, people were trying to get the CAA to plan to give blanket authorisation for PFLs / EFATO and a few other things (like picking up banners, practice approaches) but I haven't heard anything.
However I doubt anyone would go after you for it until something nasty happened or your video of yourself on YouTube skimming the water become popular...