Hello everyone.
I have a trip to Spain, Italy, and the French Isles in a couple months and was in debate of even bringing my mavic pro. I would love to have the drone for pictures and videos but I do not want to be hassled for having it going to each country. If this was not a school trip I would not worry as much about but since this is a group event I do not want to be the one to slow everyone down. I also do not want to be fined or the drone confiscated/destroyed.
Any guidance is appreciated.

Should I bring the drone or leave my precious bird at home?

Find out what Spain's drone laws are first, then decide. My vote is take your bird with you everywhere, it does you no good being at home.

If it were me -
- and I was going as chaperone, I would not take it.  To distracting to keep an eye on kids.
- and I was going without responsibilities, I would check out all drone rules in countries involved.  Then talk it over with those in group.

I’ve traveled to France and Italy with my Mavic Pro and no one stopped, questioned or slowed my progress in any way at customs. I followed the rules and flew without issue in France. Sadly, the weather in Italy meant I didn’t take the drone out of its case.

there is no way  that I would leave it at home,

I would take it, research the area prior to flying.

Bring the drone, but use it early in the morning late evening best time for photography and best time to avoid holding anyone up or annoy anyone.

Take it, check with the airline, keep the drone/gear in the suitcase and take the batteries in lipo safety bags as carry on. Be open and honest with customs if asked get what you can in writing and fly in line with the local regulations. Spain has not banned drones so there should be no issue of confiscation as its not an illegal product.

I would do as others have suggested above. The only thing I would do different is I would carry on the drone (It's portable enough and would hate to have it lost in a luggage incident, the most they would make you do is turn it on to prove it is what it is) and the batteries discharged to 30% in a Lippo Bag. As said check the local regulations as well.
BTW: Mt son-in law is a captian for Ryan Air and is based in Tenner Reife and has a MP as well. Takes it on his flights all the time.

I carried mine on as hand luggage and not a single question was asked going through security gates. Flying with British Airways, if that helps.

It would seem from others' experience that you should have no problem bringing the drone with you. But maybe the bigger question is getting to fly it without issues when on the trip. If you have other supervisory responsibilities as a teacher or class assistant then you'll obviously have to deal with these first - however it might also be a great opportunity to show the pupils what responsible drone flying is all about! If you are one of the pupils then just let your class guardians know in advance - make a case for bringing it along - that kind of trip is a 'once in a life time trip' - so all the more reason to record some unique footage along with your fellow classmates.

Check the regulations for that country before you leave, not taking it along if you could would be a kick in the backside if you miss some good footage

Lamplighter55 Posted at 2018-4-30 08:05
It would seem from others' experience that you should have no problem bringing the drone with you. But maybe the bigger question is getting to fly it without issues when on the trip. If you have other supervisory responsibilities as a teacher or class assistant then you'll obviously have to deal with these first - however it might also be a great opportunity to show the pupils what responsible drone flying is all about! If you are one of the pupils then just let your class guardians know in advance - make a case for bringing it along - that kind of trip is a 'once in a life time trip' - so all the more reason to record some unique footage along with your fellow classmates.

If you have other supervisory responsibilities as a teacher or class assistant then you'll obviously have to deal with these first

In retrospect, drone could be used to Supervise the kids.     Overwatch to Mama3 -- We got one trying to sneak out 2nd story window.   

There are about a dozen students to about 30 adult chaperones. I am one of the 30 chaperones.
From what I am finding Spain is the most strict on drones.  This is what I found:


In Spain, the flight restriction of drones under the current regulation, stet that drones can be used exclusively for the realization of the following aerial works:

Research and development activities
Air, pesticides and other treatments involving spreading substances in the soil or the atmosphere, including product launch activities for firefighting
Aerial surveys
Observation and aerial surveillance activities including filming and monitoring of forest fires
Aerial advertising, radio and TV
Emergency operations, search and rescue
Other special works not included in the above list
Likewise, there are certain flight restrictions of drones that anyone interested in flying a drone must take into consideration:

It is prohibited to fly drones in urban areas and crowds of people, which include beaches, concerts, parks, demonstrations, processions, etc.
You cannot fly drones at night
It is forbidden to fly drones near airports, airfields and other controlled airspace and endanger others
You must fly the drone within the visual range of the pilot, at a distance of no more than 500m and at a height no more than 400 feet above the ground (i.e. a maximum of 120 meters high)

Non-commercial and recreational use of drones

Should the use of drones be reserved for non-commercial purposes, the aircraft will be considered an “Aero model” and will not receive the legal treatment of a drone.

We would then face an aircraft model that performs aero model activities, which would be controlled by the Royal Spanish Aeronautical Federation (AESA) and corresponding regional regulations and local application.

The use of a drone for recreational use or as a mere hobby does not need to be authorized by the AESA. In any case, this does not mean that it is not subject to certain mandatory minimum safety standards such as:

Before using a drone, it must always be visible and must not exceed 120 meters high
While it is not necessary to be a pilot, you should be able to fly with some confidence
The same restrictions applicable to commercial flying drones are applicable to recreational drones:
You cannot fly in urban areas or crowds of people
You cannot fly at night
It is forbidden to fly drones near airports or airfields as well as flying drones in areas where other flights are operating at a low altitude and endangering others.
In short, remotely piloted aircrafts, called drones or RPAS, are a sector in full expansion given the vast technological and business possibilities of use in multiple fields of the economy. Hence, the importance of the sector is regulated correctly and flexibly, ensuring maximum security while facilitating proper and productive development of this sector in Spain.

Sounds like more hassle than its worth.   Part of the joy of flying is to be relaxed when you your doing it.