If you’re a drone enthusiast, it’s likely that you’ll want to have your drone with you almost everywhere you go. However, when traveling abroad with a drone, there are specific steps you should take to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Flying with a drone is as simple as can be when you’ve got the right tools. That’s why we’re providing our top tips to make sure that you take to the skies with ease, and so you avoid any mishaps along the way.

Before you fly

Before you head off to the airport, it’s important to check whether your specific airline allows drones on flights. Ideally, this should be done well in advance, before booking flights, to avoid any disappointments.

Each airline will have its own specific policy when it comes to flying with drones, therefore, they can provide you with the best guidance for traveling with your drone and its equipment.

Keep your drone’s batteries in your hand luggage

Lithium batteries should never be stored in your hold luggage, and this includes spare batteries too. Therefore, you should make sure to remove all batteries if you’re planning to put your drone on hold.

This is because the changes in air pressure and temperature in the hold can cause significant problems with batteries, and they could overheat and burst.

The environment in the main cabin of the plane is more controlled, therefore, it’s safer to carry batteries in your hand luggage. You should also try to protect your batteries’ terminals with a small amount of tape for extra security.

Top tip:

Fireproof lipo-guard battery bags provide a safe way to store and charge your batteries, as they protect against lithium battery fires and explosions. Take some along with you on your flight to avoid any mishaps.

Check your airline’s watt-hour limit.

There are also restrictions regarding the watt-hours (Wh) of the batteries you can take on a plane. In many cases, you are only allowed two batteries with 100Wh+ on a plane, and there is normally no limit to how many batteries of less than 100Wh you can take on your flight.

Please note: The limit can vary between airlines, so make sure to double-check with your specific airline before you travel.

Choose a suitable carry case

If you’re flying with your drone in your hand luggage, you’ll need a carry case that complies with your airline’s hand luggage size and weight restrictions. Alternatively, if you’re storing your drone in the hold, you’ll need a rugged drone carry case that will keep your kit safe whilst it’s on the move, such as one from the Case Farm.

Top tip:

Make sure to pack your hand luggage effectively, as you’ll be asked to remove your drone and its accessories when you pass through security. As well as this, make sure to put your drone’s batteries in a separate tray from the drone itself!