It’s the most wonderful time of the year again and that means lots of gatherings among family and friends, enjoying time away from work and of course traveling! Traveling, yes please. New, exciting landscapes, architecture and vibrant foreign cities all sound absolutely delightful! Just one thing I am thinking about, after having just dished out a few grand on the latest DJI Phantom 3 4K, I’m thinking this baby better be able to come with me!
Are there specs, rules and/or regulations about traveling with your UAV? Can it ride with me on the plane and if so first-class or in the cargo room?
How Should Your Drone Ride?
First and foremost, it is vital that as a drone owner, you know and understand that LiPo batteries can and in a lot of circumstances will catch fire when exposed to air pressure and temperature changes that occur where your checked baggage rides on an airplane. That being said, never check your drone! It must always ride with you “inside” the airplanes cab. Now, that is not to be said that you must buy a ticket for your drone, just that you’ll need to pack accordingly because it will have to be a carry-on.
Here are some things to keep in mind, or rather remember when traveling with a drone:
- Adding a “Lithium Ion/Polymer Rechargeable Battery” sticker on your drone case or drone backpack will significantly decrease the likelihood that your luggage will be denied by the security personnel.
- Separating your batteries by placing all in individual plastic bags will not only reduce the odds of a short circuit (that could catch fire) but also will make labeling much easier.
- Leave the old batteries at home. Never attempt to travel with a battery that will not hold more than 80% charge or that shows any signs of swelling. These are chemically more prone to combustion.
- Be sure to invest in a dronecase. Backpack, rolling bag, or any type of hard protection that is design to carry a drone.
- Take the time to remove anything sharp, such as rotor blades. This will decrease your odds of your carry-on being declined and being forcibly tossed around by cargo handlers. Ouch!
Now that you know how to travel safely with your new drone (or rather fly safely with it) there is no more reason to stress. You can now just get busy on looking up nearby sites you will be exploring when you get to new territory and mapping out your first flight path! For more information about traveling with drones, check our DroneFly.com now.