If Rao gets buffed, fix hacking first.

Commonly? 

Judging by how reliably pilots flare upon initiation of the hack I'd say this phantom hack glitch is pretty uncommon.

Do you play out of region? What ping?

It's because you are not alone whos using hacks. And doesn't matter, even if it was rare. Fix it. And doesn't apply only on air vehicles, also ground.

Edit: I play EU, ping is 40-50

I like to play on both sides, as Rao and as pilot. I'd, with the classes and a reduction in AA, especially because those who can carry an M5 also carry the FXM, but not other classes, the number of FXM in the battlefield will be smaller.

As it is, I believe the hacking distance should be higher (say, 30m) and the length to hack should be higher as well. Pilots get confused with Rao, so a distance or sound indicator should exist to help the pilots avoid an specific location. 

After the classes reintroduction, I predict that Rao alone won't be much of a bother and it will require some teamwork to take on stealth helicopters. Then probably an even higher hacking rangs should be a good idea. However, that would also affect all vehicles, interactions switches (elevators, etc ) and possibly soldiers (although they could code something to have a specific ranges depending on the targets). 

Therefore, it is a fine balance with a lot to think about and test, and it will definitely require some time. There are many options like buffing the FXM, M5, Liz guided rocket and so on to reach the desired effect. 

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@A-RAF2019 wrote:

However, [a longer hack range] would also affect all vehicles, interactions switches (elevators, etc ) and possibly soldiers (although they could code something to have a specific ranges depending on the targets). 

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This exists today. Hacking range is target dependent. 

200m for air vehicles (effectively 120-170m at typical altitudes)

100m for ground targets/infantry.

The vehicle needs to be buffed.

Maybe we can buff tanks now.

If a single rat in the grass can make them laser designated and  disable them at the same time now, they might as well get their BF3/4 mobility