CarlJ said:
There is just no way around this, as the Phantom is advertized as a "ready to fly" product, and this implies you need no knowledge to use the product.
Sure. No knowledge needed to use the product. Only to use it for any prolonged time without it being destroyed in a crash or doing a 'flyaway' or being charged with an offence or being sued for damages.
I'm afraid people saying "I do not know of any mayor incident to have happened (yet) and therefore people should just fly anywhere they like" are missing the point that we are at the very beginning of a major boom in the use of these machines and ultimately the statistics of large numbers will catch up on us and several major incidents WILL happen... if we not very actively will try to prevent them. Mr. Murphy's law will take care of that. Make no mistake about that. These machines are NOT made to any technical quality standard REMOTELY resembling the rigorous standards 'real' aviation machinery has to comply with nor are the people flying them required to have any proficiency in flying them. ANY idiot with the money to buy one can fly them.
If we, as early adopters with often some prior knowledge of (RC) aviation, will not set an example as how to behave responsibly to prevent draconic legislation there's no hope that the future 'uneducated mass' lured to buy these things which they are made to believe by marketing people are 'toys' (but aren't) and who will have no prior knowledge of anything related to aviation and the very real risks involved with it will follow our example and act in any way even remotely resembling the manner needed to prevent such draconic legislation to be passed.
In my country there is very real legislation regarding the use of RC model aircraft. You are not allowed to fly over 'continuous built-up (so basically urban) areas' for instance and not over crowds of people and not higher than 300m. And I can understand the rationale behind these rules. To prevent 'harm' in a pretty wide sense. So I stick to those rules.
We as responsible RC pilots find it somewhat annoying and frustrating that people who act irresponsibly are shooting the 'cool' videos. Sure we all like the shots you COULD get when disregarding the safety of other people and the interests of our flying community as a whole and just do as you like and just fly anyplace where you can shoot the nice pics. I'd love to. I just restrain myself 'for the greater good' and don't.
And the Coca Cola Cowboys who do....? Well.... just don't expect any respect from me.