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.

[JerseyS2000]

Just to put this thread to bed .

Absolutely zero issues taking the Neo in my hand luggage. No one asked to see it, in either direction.

Managed to get some pretty nice shots too, but crashed twice at low speeds into stationary objects - d'oh. No damage done

Cheers all

Ben

[StoutBench]

Great pics. I'm sure there is a Drone thread on here.

[joropug]

I'm going to Montenegro this summer and want to take my drone there but the red tape is insane so its staying at home - its almost impossible from what I can gather

[Corso Marche]

That's good to know, thanks. I'm road tripping this year, and I would've taken a drone with me to Montenegro.

Where's the red tape? Is it local/national laws, or the airlines?
I'll be traveling overland.

[joropug]

Corso Marche said:

That's good to know, thanks. I'm road tripping this year, and I would've taken a drone with me to Montenegro.

Where's the red tape? Is it local/national laws, or the airlines?
I'll be traveling overland.

I’ve read a few things but I think you need the EU equivalent of CAA but to import the drone you need some forms signed on paper from god knows where. I found someone’s definitive guide on Reddit and I realised after a few steps to take one legally is a nightmare. I think travelling in person id take it but one person said they were asked if they had a drone in customs specifically.

[Corso Marche]

Thanks for the info. I have an EASA operator ID which covers EU countries, but Montenegro is a definite on the list, and possibly Bosnia if time allows. So I'll need to research the situation for those two countries.

If you've any saved bookmarks or links you can share it'd be greatly appreciated. If not, no worries!

[joropug]

Corso Marche said:

Thanks for the info. I have an EASA operator ID which covers EU countries, but Montenegro is a definite on the list, and possibly Bosnia if time allows. So I'll need to research the situation for those two countries.

If you've any saved bookmarks or links you can share it'd be greatly appreciated. If not, no worries!

https://www.reddit.com/r/drones/s/5RB1qOu1Ef

https://jesseatstheworld.com/how-to-fly-a-drone-in...

[Corso Marche]

Fantastic - thanks very much.
Doesn't seem too bad now after recent changes. Still that import declaration to complete and submit, but the guide on that blog is very good.

[joropug]

Corso Marche said:

Fantastic - thanks very much.
Doesn't seem too bad now after recent changes. Still that import declaration to complete and submit, but the guide on that blog is very good.

Yes maybe I was being lazy and should just do it - I watched a YouTube video of the best places to visit and the drone footage is stunning :

https://youtu.be/CAGbR-_iEGE?si=W2QzRHifFHE_nulz