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flying with Lipo's


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seanet1310



Joined: 08 Nov 2006
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flying with Lipo's

My public service announcement for the day.
I am sure no one here would do this but worth reminding people anyway.
Don't be an idiot travelling with lithium batteries. Also don't lie to airline staff.

This could have been a serious incident in the middle of the ocean without any trouble. ATSB report of a remotely operated vehicle pilot checking 4 bags in checked luggage full of lipo plus carrying a bunch.
18 batteries checked in survived, 6-8 destroyed when they caught fire in the cargo hold of an aircraft and 8 carry on.

Report if anyone's interested. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2014/aair/ao-2014-082.aspx
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Post Thu Sep 04, 2014 4:26 pm 
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Daniel
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That's an interesting read. Still can't figure out why he'd need to take 32+ batteries with him.

Post Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:41 pm 
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marto
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Also only appears to have been issue as he lied and didnt package them properly.

Steve
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Post Thu Sep 04, 2014 8:19 pm 
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seanet1310



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Yea, that is the problem. Key point, Don't be an idiot.
Nothing overly unsafe about flying with a number of lipos by themselves, afterall almost all personal electronic devices contain them in some form
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Post Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:25 pm 
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miles&Jules
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Are you supposed to have them in carry on only?
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Post Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:33 pm 
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marto
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Yes you are but I have flown with some in checked baggage before.
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Post Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:57 pm 
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seanet1310



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Most other battery chemistires are suitable to fly in checked luggage. Lithium batteries in personal electronic devices (cameras, laptops, etc) are also suitable for checked luggage generally
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Post Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:57 pm 
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Glen
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Sad face. Lipos only showed up today Sad Looks like i need to fly with 2x 5s 2.7ah and 1x 6s 3.7ah which all fall under the watt hour limit.

Anyone flown recently and have any words of wisdom to impart? Havent flown with lipos yet Smile
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Post Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:10 pm 
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seanet1310



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I last few with a couple cells a month ago and will be flying with a bunch of packs tonight. I generally place them outside the bag in the trays like you are instructed to do with laptops but that is not required by any airline policy I know of.

Airport security almost never check or question lipo's in my experience. Just make sure they are protected from shorting out (tape on the terminals). Know each battery pack is under the 100 Watt Hours (your largest maximum is about 93 WH, I can not remember if they use typical voltage or maximum voltage in airline calculations EDIT: Virgin website indicated printed voltage so 82 WH for Glen ) deemed to by most airlines to allow an undefined acceptable number for personal use (from memory based on the UN guidance), inspect the lipo for physical damage like a caved in side and don't lie to the airport staff if they ask you.

In general, don't be a sneaky arse about them given the heightened terror threat and all that fun stuff.

On a side note. Lucky bugger Glen, escaping flying with lipos all these years.

EDIT: Some airline policies

The Virgin Airlines website is most detailed so worth a look even if you fly another airline.
If your need falls outside of the allowed in the future you can contact the airlines air movements. They should be reasonably experienced with carrying excess lithium batteries but may have a few hoops to jump with associated cash

Virgin Australia http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/baggage/batteries/
Qantas/Jetstar: http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/dangerous-goods/global/en
Tigerair: CAN NOT LOCATE.
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Post Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:46 pm 
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Glen
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Awesome, im going with Virgin so that should be okay. Let me know how you go tonight anyway Smile Just worried about them saying no with the heightened alerts and so forth.
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Post Wed Oct 01, 2014 2:18 pm 
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seanet1310



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will do, of course you are flying out of a big important airport and I am flying out of a backwater (although not as bad as Tasmania, their airport does not even have AFP these days).

Worst case if questioned
A) you have a legitimate reason [art gallery website is probably more formal to direct someone to then our forum]
B) state you comply with Virgin Australia's polices [read them first]
C) start talking about the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regulations you have read and comply with. This is a dry read http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Pages/lithium-batteries.aspx


When talking about the batteries, call them Lithium Ion as this is how both Virgin and IATA information is written. IATA do state in their guidance FAQ that Lithium Polymer is a form of Lithium Ion
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Post Wed Oct 01, 2014 4:08 pm 
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seanet1310



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As per normal security and staff did not bat an eyelid at my 6 lipos and I had them outside my bag.
During bagdrop the man at the counter asked me if I had any 'spare batteries' so I said in carry on in accordance with virgin policy.
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Post Wed Oct 01, 2014 6:23 pm 
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Glen
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Ditto to that. Was pleasantly uneventful Smile cya soon!
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Post Fri Oct 03, 2014 7:13 am 
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seanet1310



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Good to hear
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Post Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:07 am 
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