We have been travelling with drones for a number of years now, and there are some tips we wish we had known from the start. Here is part one of our guide to getting your drone to the destination safely and legally.
1. Carry batteries in your hand luggage
Lithium polymer batteries are not allowed in checked baggage on virtually any airline. Carry them in your cabin bag, each in a fireproof LiPo bag, with terminals protected. Check your airline’s watt-hour limits before you fly, as larger drone batteries can exceed them.
2. Discharge batteries before flying
Storing and transporting LiPo batteries at full charge stresses them and increases risk. Discharge to around 30 to 50 per cent for travel days. Most drone apps have a storage discharge feature that does this for you.
3. Check the airline’s drone policy before booking
Policies differ between airlines on battery limits, quantity allowances and whether drones are allowed at all. Five minutes reading the dangerous goods page of your airline saves an argument at the check-in counter.
4. Pack the drone as carry-on where possible
Checked luggage gets thrown around. A drone in a hard case or padded backpack in the overhead locker arrives in the same condition it left. As a bonus, it is never separated from its batteries.
5. Do a full pre-trip test flight
Update firmware, calibrate everything, and do a complete test flight the week before you leave. Discovering a gimbal fault at home is an inconvenience; discovering it on day one of a trip is a disaster.
Part B covers what to do once you arrive: local rules, insurance and more. Read 5 More Tips for Travelling with your Drone next.