Are drones allowed to be imported into the country of destination?

Although there are only a few countries with import bans on drones, we should ask ourselves before each journey whether we are travelling to one of these countries. If we did not deal with the import regulations or necessary registration procedures of the destination country, we would, in the worst case, transport our drones by air in accordance with the regulations, but would then have to hand them in on entry. Therefore, we should inform ourselves about the current legal situation in each country before entering the country.

Transport batteries safely in hand luggage

The transport of a drone is possible in hand luggage as well as in checked luggage. The batteries for our copters are becoming critical. Short circuits or mechanical damage can cause the batteries to catch fire or explode. To prevent this from happening unnoticed in the cargo hold of an aircraft, these batteries must be taken into the cabin. Should a fire break out there, this will be noticed more quickly than in the cargo hold and the batteries can be extinguished in a controlled manner.

The main cause of fires and incidents with batteries are short circuits. To prevent short circuits, it is recommended to protect the battery contacts against contact. This can be achieved by masking the contacts with insulating tape, or by attaching a special rubber cover for the battery. If you tape the contacts with insulating tape, you should bear in mind that the contacts have to be taped again on the way back and that the insulating tape used for the first time may not stick anymore.

I personally take another, in my opinion even safer way and pack the batteries in special bags for transport in the airplane. These bags are fire and explosion proof and also protect the contacts of the batteries from short circuits.

iEago RC Feuerfest Explosionsgeschützt Lipo Batterie Safe Tasche Hülse Lipo Akku Tasche Sicherheit Pouch Für DJI Mavic Pro（1...*

Amazon

The bags also have another advantage: airport and security staff can tell directly from the bag that this is a professional solution. The bag therefore offers less “attack surface” than any self-adhesive tape on batteries. So I simply play it safe and avoid unpleasant discussions. Transportation is safer because of the explosion-proof fabric on top of that.

The battery capacity matters

Each airline makes its own rules about which batteries are allowed on board. So inform yourself about the current rules of the airlines immediately before the flight.

In most cases, two batteries with a capacity of up to 100 Wh per person may be taken on board without special permission.

If more than 100 Wh per battery, the batteries must be registered with most airlines. Some airlines declare batteries over 160 Wh as dangerous goods.

Secure storage for the protection of the drone

As a drone pilot you usually want to make sure that your own drone survives the flight without damage. After all, loading and unloading the hand luggage compartments can be a bit rough.

For example, I myself use two different types of cases for my Mavic 2 Pro, which differ greatly in weight and dimensions, but also in the degree of protection.

If I want to be on the safe side and have enough space in my luggage, I use my waterproof “outdoor.case” from the case specialists at B&W (Amazon Affiliate Link). This extremely durable case offers enough space for the entire Fly More Kit, a Macbook and protects the copter perfectly. But the part is not exactly light. The case itself weighs 2 kg and offers a volume of 11.7l with an external dimension of 330 x 235 x 150 mm.

B&W Outdoor Case Hartschalenkoffer Typ 3000, Inlay für: DJI Mavic 2 Pro / Zoom, Fly More Kit und Zubehör (Hardcase Koffer IP67,...*

• Koffer aus schlagfestem Polypropylen (PP), super stabil und stapelbar, staubdicht, wasserdicht, nutzbare Innenmaße des Leerkoffers:...
• temperaturstabil von -30°C bis +80°C , automatisches Druckausgleichsventil, luftdurchlässig, während es Wasser abhält

Amazon

If mobility is also important in the destination country, for example on planned hikes or even complete backpacking holidays, I avoid my big case. Instead, I choose a foam transport case, which I then store in a backpack or in a carry-on bag. Although it offers less protection for the time being, it is much lighter and more handy. The foam case has outer dimensions of 340 x 255 x 130 mm and weighs only about 1 kg.

Smatree Tragetasche für DJI Mavic Pro 2 und Mavic 2 Zoom (Drohne und Zubehör Nicht Inklusive) (Für Mavic Pro 2)*

• Kundenspezifisches design für DJI Mavic Pro 2 und Mavic 2 Zoom und sein wesentliches zubehör.
• Es kann 1x DJI Mavic 2 Pro / Zoom Drohne, 3x intelligente Flugbatterien, 1x Fernbedienung, 1x Ladegerät & Ladestation, 2x Wippe, 1x...

Amazon

Der Beitrag Transport Batteries of drones safely in airplanes / hand luggage erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

One thing I found out: Really light and small, waterproof and dustproof transport cases for the DJI Mavic 2 Pro (Amazon Affiliate Link) are rare. So, if you put your absolute focus on the lightness of your equipment, you are better off with a pure foam case.

But since the protection of my drone was so important to me that I didn’t want to go on tour without IP67 certification and indestructible design, I had to look for the smallest and lightest case in this class.

“Take me to Mount Everest”

I found what I was looking for in the so-called “outdoor.cases” from the case specialists at B&W (Amazon Affiliate Link). These were specially developed for the toughest outdoor use and that’s how they look like. The design of the case with its blue/black hard foam inlay in the case bottom says: “Take me with you to Mount Everest” and the other certifications according to STANAG 4280, DEF STAN 81-41 and ATA 300 speak for such a trip.

The case itself weighs 2 kg and offers a volume of 11.7 l with an external dimension of 330 x 235 x 150 mm. So the case fits just about into my backpack. Due to the automatic pressure equalization valve on the front side, the case can be taken along on flights without any problems. The valve is designed to let air in while keeping water out before it enters. Without this valve, there would be a risk that the case would explode or implode due to its tightness during take-off or landing.

According to the manufacturer, the materials of the case are temperature stable from -30°C to +80°C. And speaking of extreme cold: The specially developed snap locks ensure a firm closure and offer easy and quick opening of the case even with cold fingers. “Snap.”

Space for the complete Fly More package

The type 3000 with DJI Mavic 2 inlay (Amazon Affiliate Link) I chose has room for your DJI Mavic 2 Pro (Amazon Affiliate Link) or DJI Mavic 2 Zoom plus other accessories. Besides the Mavic 2 itself, the Fly More Kit with up to 4 batteries and (car) chargers, as well as 4 ND filters (Amazon Affiliate Link) find their place in the case. Thanks to a lid pocket, we can easily carry documents such as a drone insurance or maps.

The battery compartment is designed in such a way that the batteries can be removed or inserted despite the inserted transport lock. Furthermore, the case solution offers the possibility to charge the batteries directly in the case. For this purpose, the charging cable can be led along the bottom of the case and the charger can be left in the case during the charging process. When charging the batteries, however, the case must remain open to avoid heat accumulation. This eliminates the need to constantly unpack and repack all components for maintenance and charging.

Video presentation of the case

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All the links in this text are Amazon Affiliate Links, and by clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a percentage of your subsequent Amazon purchases. However, this circumstance does not influence the background of my product recommendation. This product recommendation is independent, honest and sincere. 

Bei allen genannten Links handelt es sich um Amazon-Affiliate-Links. Durch einen Klick auf einen Affiliate-Link werde ich prozentual an Euren darauf folgenden Amazon-Einkäufen beteiligt. Dieser Umstand beeinflusst aber nicht die Hintergründe meiner Produktempfehlung. Diese Produktempfehlung erfolgt unabhängig, ehrlich und aufrichtig.

Der Beitrag The ultimate transport case for the DJI Mavic 2: waterproof, dustproof, shock-resistant erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.