Taking a drone on a long haul flight

[JerseyS2000]

Hi all.

I bought myself a DJI Neo with goggles and motion controller at Christmas. Absolutely loving my first go at FPV.

I'm heading off to South Africa at Easter and want to take it with me. I'm flying with BA into Cape Town and propose taking the drone and accessories in its hard case in my hand luggage (don't trust SA ground staff not to rob it or damage it.)

Are there any limitations that I should know about, please? Such as batteries must be discharged or kept separately...

Many thanks

Ben

[LivLL]

https://www.britishairways.com/content/information...

You'll need to read up on the local restrictions at both ends also.

[JerseyS2000]

Thanks for the prompt reply. It's not wholly clear but it looks like I'm ok to take it onboard, with the batteries in their holder/charging case

I'll read up on SA rules - hopefully the lightweight of the Neo will mean not many restrictions. I'm not taking it in public places or near airports, etc anyway

Cheers

Ben

[Baldchap]

Can't comment on South Africa, but I flew to Norway on Saturday and back Tuesday with a DJI drone and three batteries in my hand luggage.

There's probably some local registration etc (like the CAA registration that you need here).

[vaud]

Baldchap said:

Can't comment on South Africa, but I flew to Norway on Saturday and back Tuesday with a DJI drone and three batteries in my hand luggage.

There's probably some local registration etc (like the CAA registration that you need here).

https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-south-africa/

[vaud]

IATA rules here on batteries:

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/6fea26dd84d24b2...

[captain_cynic]

Baldchap said:

Can't comment on South Africa, but I flew to Norway on Saturday and back Tuesday with a DJI drone and three batteries in my hand luggage.

There's probably some local registration etc (like the CAA registration that you need here).

Yep first thing that came to mind is the restrictions on Lithium based batteries in hold luggage.

Check with the airline but definitely you'll need to carry the batteries on board.

I'd also be concerned about sticky fingered baggage handlers.

[JerseyS2000]

Thanks all - very helpful. I should be ok with hand luggage.

Ben

[gotoPzero]

been increasing numbers of people having drones confiscated by customs so check local laws carefully and maybe ask on the reddit dji page for recent xp in SA. You will be fine with the neo batteries leaving uk.

think you will need sa drone op-l too

[joropug]

I would personally put my drone in the hold, controller and batteries in hand luggage - it’s too late at the security point to be able to put the drone in your suitcase if you need to.