New Regs re Carrying Lithium Batteries on Airlines

[Lon33]

Has anyone had any experience carrying LiPo batteries on an airplane?

The Department of Transportation has issued a new regulation concerning "Lithium" batteries: http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html

I'm wondering whether it will apply to LiPo's as well, and if it does, how we can travel on an airline with our electric heli's. In fact, let me ask: have any of you traveled by airline with a 450-size electric heli, and if so, what have you done with your heli and transmitter: check it, or carry it on?

[Pinecone]

Lipos are a form of lithium ion batteries.

There are several threads on this already.

Bottom line, it sounds like under 100 watt hours (6S 4500) you can carry on as many as you want, but over that you are limited to 2.

But until nobody has tested that interpetation.

[FlyinLo]

I brought my Blade CP broken down in a box with the transmitter and two 3 cell 1350 lipos on board an airplane. On my trip out, they didn't even search my bag. On the trip back they made me take some parts out of the box and did a bomb(?) swab thing inside the box.

I asked security beforehand if they would prefer I put the stuff in checked bags or in my carry-on. They told me it would be better off in the carry on --- get this --- so it doesn't get stolen!!

[GordoSH-3]

FlyinLo:

(This is not a cheap shot at you) Is anyone surprised that someone would warn you about the possibility of theft from your UNLOCKED, out-of-your-personal-control baggage? That's just one of the reasons I've stopped flying; all the TSA #%$&%*#@##! BS. If I can't drive to where I need to go, I don't need to go there!

Gordo

[FlyinLo]

Gordo,
The possibility of theft wasn't surprising, it was hearing that from an airport employee that really got me.

[Pinecone]

TSA are NOT airport employees. They work for the Federal Government.

And remember, checked baggage is insured, and you can purchase extra insurance (which also gets better handling).

[FlyinLo]

Couldn't resist eh? I'm a pilot and I'm well aware they are not "airport employees"

Let me rephrase: "Someone who WORKS at the airport" and should be more concerned with passenger safety than things being stolen from luggage.

I was expecting a more educated response from them regarding the transmitter or the lipos, not concern about my things being stolen.

[Pinecone]

They should know that the lipos HAVE to be carried on.

But the rest CAN be checked.

Actually I have found that in the last 6 - 12 monhts, TSA is getting much better. So probably just trying to be helpful.

[Super_Si]

Heh, Imagine a pack got accidentally shorted in transit and started to balloon and thermal runnaway!!

:WOW... Erm... Escuse me... do these windows open?? :FThat


It's an Interesting topic though, i'll be subscribing to this.

[Mike_117]

I have flown with my trex450 as carry on before the new regulation. No problems, just watched as the TSA screener on the x-ray motions over to another screener to look. Never had the swab test and most of the time they never even opened the case.

I plan on flying in March to Philidephia from KC. Thought about taking it with me.. anyone flown yet after the new ban?

TSA gives me the run around copy/pasting the reg.. and says its up to the screeners discretion.

[Lon33]

I flew with my T-Rex 450 this weekend. I checked my heli and transmitter packed in an aluminum case, with that case wrapped in bubble wrap in a large suitcase. I put a note on top of the aluminum case telling TSA what was inside, asking them to open and close the case gently, and telling them that there were no lithium batteries in the case. Then, I carried my LiPo batteries onto the plane with me. Going through security, I put the batteries in the tray, on top. On my outbound trip, the TSA xray inspector asked another inspector to look at the batteries. That inspector asked if he could swab the batteries, and I said "sure." He did and told me I was "good to go." On the homebound trip, the TSA xray inspector didn't even ask anyone else to look at the batteries. They came out of the xray machine, along with my shoes, without a hitch.

[Mike_117]

You checked your heli? I don't know if I'll do that. If I keep one bat in the heli your supposed to be able to bring three.. 2 spare 1 in the 'device'

Flying to east coat next month.. and will carry on with alum case.

[HPSOV2]

No one had any problems with carbon blades being seen as a 'weapon'?

[Bobcoheli]

I will be flying to Stockholm, Sweden this year and was wanting to bring my 600 with of course my battery, I wonder if they will give my grief about that, bringing a 22.2v 6s1p 4900Mah battery as carry on?:thinking

[carguy84]

22.2 * 4.9(4900mah) = 109 watt hours, so you're OK to carry 2.

if you're running 11.1 * 2200mah you can bring on up to 300 watt-hours worth, which is about 12 of them :)

[Pinecone]

Actually they updated the info. You can carry on as many spare batteries as you want, as long as each one is under 100 watt hours and they are packed safely (tape over the terminals and each in a separate plastic bag).

http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html

100 watt hours = 6S 4500 (based on the nominal voltage or 22.2 volts).

150 watt hours (you can carry two) = 6 S 6750 or 8S 5000 or 10S 4000

300 watt hours (you can carry ONE) = 6S 13500 or 8S 10,000 or 10S 8000 or 12S 6750

So Trex 600 you are looking at one or two. Trex 500 as many as you want.