I would love the opportunity to fly outside my line of site, in airspace above 400ft and using FPV without a spotter or just using the phone to navigate. Despite my want, I don't do any of these.
I sincerely have no intention to disrespect your opinion. But I disagree. if you can't see it, you can't be sure what is around, above or below you. Absolutely not "MUCH SAFER".
I think a better question is:
"Are there conditions where it would be safe to fly a UAV beyond LOS using the camera to navigate?"
I think UAVs are designed to fly far and wide and transmit the image back to the pilot. Much of the DJI product line, to include the Mavic, is designed with safety protocols like (forward) obstacle avoidance, return to home, signal locks on multiple GPS satellites, etc. UAV's can fly faultlessly for miles, or take off and crash right in front of us.
So, do I believe that flying beyond Line of Sight would be "safe" under the "right conditions"?
Yes.
I guess the next rhetorical question would be, what are the "right conditions"?
I agree with everything you say. Your opinion is absolutely correct, like I have said in my previous comments, there is simply no argument against following the rules if that's what you like to do and feel it's the safer option.
So in answer to your question..
The safe conditions would be a multitude of things.
Common sense along with responsible behaviour and attitude being the first
Experience of the aircraft
Weather conditions being safe
Knowing your area/route/obstacles such as knowledge of trees buildings and powerlines etc
Understanding what to do if something goes wrong with the aircraft or an emergency
Ensuring how to perform correct pre flight aircraft checks and calibration where/ when necessary
Ensuring you don't breach a ceiling height of 400ft
And certainly no restricted fly zones/ built up areas or clouds or anywhere that could potentially cause harm damage or injury
Here in the UK we have lots of areas fitting enough for a safe beyond VLS flight as we have lots of green spaces in our rural countryside.
I genuinely hope this answers your question mate.
I have a couple of questions for you also, I don't mean to sound patronising but it's important we look at all angels if we're to engage in debate on this fairly complex topic.
Whats the highest and farthest you fly in any on time?
When you're at your highest and farthest point of flight, what will you do to correct the aircraft if for example 'a motor fails' and your Mavic has no redundancy measure being a quadrocopter?
Do you drive a car/motorcycle? If so do you/have you ever broken the 'rules' or have you never speeded beyond the speed limit like most. In a 2 ton vehicle which is far worse that a Mavic falling on the grand scheme of things.
All questions I believe you should answer.
If you disagree then I'd be interested to know why?