The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau published its report in relation to a cargo hold smoke event involving a Boeing 737. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2014/aair/ao-2014-082.aspx
The smoke was detected by the airline Captain during the external inspection on the tarmac during preflights. The source of the smoke was later identified as being some LiPO batteries for a UAV. The passenger failed to declared the LiPOs when asked at check in. The ATSB revealed that the passenger was an Australian certified UAV operator.
Australian civil aviation safety regulations permit LiPO batteries to be transported as CARRY ON as long as they are <100WH and are packaged to prevent short circuits. http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/dg/luggage/brochure.pdf
I frequently travel on aircraft with LiPO batteries, and before I travel all the terminals and balance leads are taped with electrical tape. They are stored in LiPO safe bags, and then transported in a pelican case as carry on.
It makes sense to take every precaution because I'd rather not be on a plane that crashes because of a LiPO fire.
Comments
Contact the airline you plan to fly with, they will be more than happy to tell you what is and isn't allowed on their planes. I haven't seen one yet that allows lipos in the cargo hold, its generally all carry on.
Don't just listen to advice off a forum and turn up at the airport with a bag full of gear, quick way to lose a few hundred dollars worth of batteries.
interesting that the video on their home back is gone...
what about carry on? even its in LIPO bag. is it ok to take them on , even if its slightly bloated.
Discussing choice of batteries is like debating politics, religion or choice of operating system. Pointless.
I've had a couple of in-flight (RC not full scale) cell failures in the last 5-6 years but nothing exciting. I have wondered about the balance connectors and the fraction of a mm between wires. Some have the metal terminal almost outside the plastic body. IMO not a suitable connector for any LiPo over about 1000mAh.
Sorry, I don't buy any of this. There was a case where somebody had purchased some very expensive batteries, I forget which brand, but I think they were the most expensive on the market. The user had problems with them, seems like he was discharging them too fast, even though they were "rated" at 60C and his flight time was like 5-10 minutes. Upon discussion with the manufacturer, they stated that their "C rating" was actually the "will blow up at this point" rating, not the "continuous discharge rating". They stated that their "60C" batteries were only good for 5C continuous discharge.
That was it for me. Until I see any testing, I'll just stick to cheap batteries.
@Swift, unfortunately, it's cheaper to buy batteries in Colorado and throw them out before heading back, than it is to ground ship UPS two ways from Canada to the US and back. Sad but true. That's actually what I did this past year. I purchased back-up batteries in the US and had them delivered to Colorado. Just in case. But since I no problem on my way there, now I had even more batteries on the way back. You just never know.
Amazingly, while in Colorado, I purchased a scale heli fuselage. It was a rather large box. I went to the Fedex shipment place to mail it to myself in Canada rather than taking it on the plane. I figured it would be cheaper. Shipping was $120, and then I knew I'd have to pay taxes and duties on the other end. I said screw it, and headed to the airport. The oversize baggage fee was $50, and then it was tax exempt when I went through customs in Canada.
At least between US and Canada, the shipping companies have us over a barrel.
high alpha? busted......
If you are having problems at airports give this a try. Just label your batteries with the information that TSA needs as most agents don't know the regulations. Carry a copy of the regulations as well. Then put on the label that the batteries that the battery is 'approved' and they will be happy. This worked great for me both internationally and in the US.
@OG lots of talk but no links to test data, looks like a serious case of placebo to me. It is true you get what you pay for but in this case I think people are paying for bragging writes. (except improved testing of expensive batteries that is very easy to do yourself on a good hobby king charger)
@jg Earlier this year I got pulled over, going through LAX, for about 45 minutes because they thought my batteries were explosives.
@Swift I just put all my batteries in separate plastic bags inside charging bags (this was suggested by an airline flyer). I have a copy of the relevant airline documents saying what I can take on the airline. As I enter screening I also tell them there are lipo's in my bag and that they will probably want to talk to me. And just make sure your Wh is less than 100, (Ah x 3.7 x cell count). Even if you use 4.2 volts you can carry 4s 5000 mAh batteries, you need to be more careful about 6s batteries though.
Except for having to wait for the explosive expert to show up (he took his time), I haven't been delayed by more than a couple of minutes.
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