Subsequent up in our “Ask Drone Woman” sequence is about taking your drone via airport safety, and whether or not you need to take away it from the bag. When you have a query for Drone Woman, contact her right here.
I had a query relating to going via airport safety with a drone. I’ve a DJI Phantom 3 and wish to know if I’ve to take away the drone from its bag when going via airport safety?
Ah, touring with a drone — particularly now throughout peak summer time season! The solutions appear to vary primarily based on who, and once you ask.
First, let me make it clear: you possibly can convey a drone via airport safety in case you are touring within the U.S. Right here’s the wording, immediately from the TSA’s web site:
“Drones are allowed via the checkpoint. Please test along with your airline for his or her coverage.”
However to reply your query extra particularly about whether or not you need to take away it out of your bag? That reply is extra unclear.
The TSA does vacationers who wouldn’t have TSA PreCheck to take away massive digital objects, reminiscent of laptops and printers from their baggage. However, it’s unclear whether or not a drone is a “massive” digital merchandise, or if it’s extra in step with a small digital merchandise, reminiscent of a smartphone, which you don’t should take away. Notably when you’ve got an excellent tiny drone, like a DJI Mini 4!
Based mostly on my expertise alone, it varies not simply by airport, however by who’s doing the screening. The TSA generally even requests that you just take away books out of your bag when going via screening!
For instance, after I went to Canada as a part of a journey to the Arctic Circle with Quark Expeditions, guidelines assorted by Canadian airport. The airport in Edmonton, Canada particularly advised me to not take away my drone. I even particularly requested the screener as I obtained in line.
So for my subsequent flight in Calgary, Canada, I stored my drone within the bag. Alas, the safety in Calgary, Canada stopped me and needed to test my baggage particularly as a result of they noticed my drone.
My recommendation is that this: politely ask the screener on the entrance of the safety course of what they recommend. Say, “By the way in which, I’ve a drone that weighs about 3 kilos in my bag. Do I’ve to take it out?”
Sine procedures appear to vary so dramatically, that is one of the simplest ways to keep away from pointless backups. Should you don’t ask upfront, you decelerate the road for everybody else. Should you take out your drone once you don’t should, you additionally decelerate the road.
However for those who don’t ask — however screeners your drone out — your bag may must get checked once more. Once more, that’s one other hangup.
Needless to say when you can convey your drone via the TSA, some airways might ban drones. Examine along with your particular person airline’s web site to ensure drones will not be on the prohibited packing objects listing.
What to learn about airport safety and flying with drone batteries
One necessary factor to notice, there ARE restrictions on flying with batteries within the U.S.
All spare, or in any other case uninstalled lithium ion and lithium steel batteries (reminiscent of drone batteries) are solely allowed in carry-on baggage, in accordance with the FAA. Lithium ion drone batteries will not be okay in checked baggage.
Moreover, there are generally limits on how highly effective your drone battery will be. Lithium ion, rechargeable batteries, that are widespread for drones, are restricted to a ranking of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. In the event that they exceed that, it’s essential to obtain particular airline approval. For drone batteries with 101–160 Wh, you’re solely allowed as much as two, in accordance with the TSA.
However airways can select to be extra stringent than the FAA. For instance, Southwest solely enables you to journey with as much as 20 spare batteries at a time.
Professional-tip: If it is advisable to journey with extra batteries, give the spare ones to your journey companion to carry onto.
And keep in mind, all of this is applicable to home flying within the U.S. Should you have been flying internationally, that will be a distinct story. Examine with that worldwide vacation spot first. That avoids potential drone confiscation. Equally annoying is for those who’re requested to go away your drone at customs and advised to choose it up on the finish of their journey.
Should you ever DO take your drone internationally, UAV Coach has a very wonderful grasp listing of drone legal guidelines by nation. There you could find out if it is advisable to register, for those who want a license, and for those who may even convey that drone into the nation.