Reminds me of a fellow in South Carolina who had his own airstrip for his full scale airplane. He said he had every right to fly his airplane from his strip even though it was located within one mile of a FAA controled airport. The FAA gave him two options either keep your plane permently grounded or request clearence from the local airport for all departures and landings at his airstrip.
Unfortunately for models these rules don't apply. You friend in my opinion has every right in doing what he does. The legalities and moralities of this issue lie within the grey area of the consequences of his actions.