Drone on a plane (SAA)

[Nalith]

My wife and I am flying to Mauritius tomorrow morning on SAA and was contemplating taking my drone along, does anyone know if SAA will have any problems for taking a drone on board as hand luggage. I have taken it along with local flights before and no one even batted an eyelid (Admittedly it was the Mavic so the might have just missed it). Mauritius drone laws seem similar to our ones here... i.e. don't be stupid

 

[Leet Pro]

Surely if its in your bag out of sight it shouldn't be a problem, you might have to declare it

 

[Segg]

If it's within the baggage dimension and weight limits then it should be fine. DO NOT CHECK LITHIUM BATTERIES INTO THE HOLD. Obviously don't turn it on anywhere near the airport

 

[bromster]

Disconnect the battery and keep the drone with you. It's too fragile to check in. Just declare it so that customs doesn't try to make you pay on your way back into SA.

I might even check the batteries into my suitcase (edit: assuming they're AA's for the remote) seperate to the drone so that it can't be argued that it could be used as a weapon.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

DO NOT CHECK LITHIUM BATTERIES INTO THE HOLD

That^^^^

 

[Dave]

I might even check the batteries into my suitcase seperate to the drone so that it can't be argued that it could be used as a weapon.

Did you notice the warning that's above (more than once)?

DO NOT CHECK LITHIUM BATTERIES INTO THE HOLD

 

[genetic]

I fly with my drone frequently. They make you take your batteries out and carry it as hand luggage.

 

[genetic]

Surely if its in your bag out of sight it shouldn't be a problem, you might have to declare it

:erm: if you check your luggage in "it's not out of sight". They always ask you what's in the bag.

 

[SauRoNZA]

As long as it fits accordingly to the baggage regulation there's no problem.

Just take the batteries out and send them with your bags.

But even better, get a Pelican case for it and check it in.

 

[Segg]

Just take the batteries out and send them with your bags.

Don't do that, lithium fires can't be easily extinguished by surpression systems in the aircraft hold. There's a reason that lithium batteries are not allowed to be shipped as bulk cargo on passenger flights...

 

[Magnum]

If it's within the baggage dimension and weight limits then it should be fine. DO NOT CHECK LITHIUM BATTERIES INTO THE HOLD. Obviously don't turn it on anywhere near the airport

Does inside the plane count as near the airport?

 

[Dave]

As long as it fits accordingly to the baggage regulation there's no problem.

Just take the batteries out and send them with your bags.

But even better, get a Pelican case for it and check it in.

You CANNOT put lithium batteries in checked in baggage, whether in a Pelican case, pillow case or even a lead lined coffin...

Spare lithium metal and lithium ion/polymer batteries are prohibited in checked baggage—this includes external battery packs.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...fo/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

I wonder how many more people are going to post without reading first...

 

[bromster]

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...fo/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

I wonder how many more people are going to post without reading first...

FAA regulations do not govern South African Aviation. South Africa falls under the SACAA.

Here is a snap of the ICAO dangerous goods chart pertaining to batteries.



Hence, I reiterate what I said originally,

1) Disconnect the drone battery and keep both with you on the plane.

2) As a precaution, remove any AA batteries from the remote and toss them into your suitcase.

 

[Dave]

FAA regulations do not govern South African Aviation. South Africa falls under the SACAA.

Here is a snap of the ICAO dangerous goods chart pertaining to batteries.

View attachment 430838

Point 4 says what?

Hence, I reiterate what I said originally,

1) Disconnect the drone battery and keep both with you on the plane.

2) As a precaution, remove any AA batteries from the remote and toss them into your suitcase.

That's not what you said originally, you edited your other post after I quoted it and added the fluff about AA batteries.

This is what you originally posted.

I might even check the batteries into my suitcase seperate to the drone so that it can't be argued that it could be used as a weapon.

 

[bromster]

It was edited because it was ambiguous, not because it was wrong.

 

[Nalith]

Was not planning on checking in my drone... I will never see it again. Drone + lipo's going in case on plane with me (Not as checked bags).

 

[Nalith]

I fly with my drone frequently. They make you take your batteries out and carry it as hand luggage.

Awesome, thanks. And do they every give you uphill about the blades being sharp etc...?

 

[Dave]

It was edited because it was ambiguous, not because it was wrong.

It might have been ambiguous, but it was definitely wrong. A drone battery is always lithium. The quick thinking add on about AA batteries in the remote was quite clever though .

 

[Nalith]

It might have been ambiguous, but it was definitely wrong. A drone battery is always lithium. The quick thinking add on about AA batteries in the remote was quite clever though .

Lol! I would be really worried if it had normal AA batteries in the remote.

 

[Dave]

Lol! I would be really worried if it had normal AA batteries in the remote.

Give him a break, he had to think up that edit really quickly