I'm about to travel with my P3 for the first time. Planing on carrying it on the plane. Has anyone ever had any issues with TSA? Specifically with the rotor blades. I'm TSA Pre-Check but by pack still has to go through xray.

They are used to them. They are still a little weary of the batteries as they could house an impressive charge if it were intended to be made so. I purchased this for my batteries...

http://www.pelicancase.com/case.html?productID=1150 I open it and let them see the three lipos and they do an explosive "sniff" on them and then say "have a great flight. No problem. It isn't necessary to have a case but they seem to be very receptive to it. Happy flying.

I recently travelled from The Netherlands to the US with the Phantom 3, 1 battery and a set of blades in my carry on (Think Tank backpack). Went through lots of checks, and one time someone checked with a few colleagues if the Phantom 3 battery was allowed, but it was perfectly ok. Be sure to carry any batteries in a lipo-safe bag though.

Filmkit Posted at 2015-6-4 03:39
I recently travelled from The Netherlands to the US with the Phantom 3, 1 battery and a set of blade ...

If I am using a hardshell backpack as carry on and the batteries are in the designed slots would this be sufficient? Would I need the batteries to be in a lipo bag? I don't think the backpack has room for batteries in a lipo bag and I am only allowed one carry on piece I believe. Hope this isn't an issue because I was planning on taking it on vacation.

s_nyky.yahoo Posted at 2015-6-4 03:54
If I am using a hardshell backpack as carry on and the batteries are in the designed slots would t ...

I based my decision to put the battery in a lipo bag on this article:
http://www.dronethusiast.com/traveling-with-lipo-batteries-drone/

I guess the danger of a LiPo battery catching fire on a plane is very small, but just a few weeks ago it happenend to a Dutch cameraman, so I figured it's better to be safe then sorry. Especially with all the other passengers involved.

There are lots of small LiPo-bags that fit tightly around your Phantoms battery, so maybe that would be an option for you?

Filmkit Posted at 2015-6-4 05:08
I based my decision to put the battery in a lipo bag on this article:
http://www.dronethusiast.com ...

Thanks for the info!  I will look into small Lipo bags and possibly modify the case if need be. Cheers from Canada and happy flying!!

s_nyky.yahoo Posted at 2015-6-4 05:13
Thanks for the info!  I will look into small Lipo bags and possibly modify the case if need be. Ch ...

You're welcome Greetings from The Netherlands!

I've traveled here in Australia no problems previously in and out of airports with the P2 Vision.  I'm about to fly overseas soon with the P3, but I presume I should be ok.  Going by what other people have said airport security don't seem to have any issues with the Phantoms.

I'm traveling now (From Los Angeles to Newark - both strict airports), but left my PH3 at home.  While at the airport, I asked a TSA supervisor about a PH3 carry-on.  He said no problem - that they might do a few extra checks just to make sure it's safe (like a lipo bag or something).  But he said no problem.  

HunterBrooks Posted at 2015-6-4 11:09
I'm traveling now (From Los Angeles to Newark - both strict airports), but left my PH3 at home.  Whi ...

Good to know...I'm flying out of LAX as well. Those guys see all kinds of things.

thedwp Posted at 2015-6-4 14:55
Good to know...I'm flying out of LAX as well. Those guys see all kinds of things.

I've flown to and from LAX as well, had no problems with the P3

HunterBrooks Posted at 2015-6-4 11:09
I'm traveling now (From Los Angeles to Newark - both strict airports), but left my PH3 at home.  Whi ...

Yeah. They do an explosive swab. It detects explosives to the smallest level. It's crazy. Lol

I just flew in and out of LAX this weekend.  No issues - sailed right through.  I would say this is a very common these days and they are now more accustomed to them.  Internationally, this may not be the case.  

I did not use LIPO bags, but now that I am reading this, I would like to hear more about them.  Where do you get them?  Are most others using them?  I have 5 batteries - so keen to hear thoughts.  Thanks in advance.

thill1 Posted at 2015-6-9 01:22
I just flew in and out of LAX this weekend.  No issues - sailed right through.  I would say this is  ...

I wouldn't worry about the LiPO bags if your case has a cutout for the battery.

Per the latest FAA guidelines, https://www.google.com/url?sa=t& ... amp;bvm=bv.95039771,d.cWc&cad=rja
You are allowed to carry as many batteries as needed provided they don't exceed 100 watt hours.  You're allowed two batteries up to 160 watt hours.

Thanks gregg1r, I was curious about the necessity of LiPO bags.  Thanks for the link, I will have to book mark that on my phone, so I can show TSA if I run into any issues various airports I travel in.  Heading to Cancun and Cabo next, then the Redwoods.  Perfect locations for the P3.

I keep copies of all of the PDF files for the Phantom 3 on my iPad. They don't take up much room and if I need to access, I've got them.

I would caution you about giving up your phone or tablet to any security person working the airport.  Just print the two pages and keep them in your transport case.

If they need to verify that the electronic devise works, a simple touch of the button will  establish that it works. Once you give them access, they might start looking thru it.

I have four PH3 batteries, and I bought a LiPO bag for each one.  They were only $8 USD - so for $32, I am able to keep the airline from using me as a scape-goat if something were to happen.  Cause you know they would try ....

HunterBrooks Posted at 2015-6-15 13:45
I have four PH3 batteries, and I bought a LiPO bag for each one.  They were only $8 USD - so for $32 ...

Where abouts did you buy your LiPO bags?

To add to the discussion: I recently traveled from Detroit to Oakland, then San Fran back to Detroit a few weeks ago and had no problem taking my Phantom 3 Professional with 1 LiPO in my ThinkTank Airport Helipak. Had it nicely packed with my DSLR, lenses, and lots of accessories and TSA didn't look twice at it.

Have had zero issues carrying the P3 on the plane and never had TSA question whether I had LiPO bags. I do have TSA Pre-Check, so maybe why I'm never questioned.

TSA Pre-Check is a beautiful thing!!

I got the LiPO bags right on Amazon.com.  You can find them lots of places online.  You just have to watch the sizes - I got this one cause it's the exact size of the PH3 battery, except just a little taller; 175mmx75mmx50mm.

HunterBrooks Posted at 2015-6-16 03:51
TSA Pre-Check is a beautiful thing!!

I got the LiPO bags right on Amazon.com.  You can find them lo ...

Hi :-)

Do you have a direct link?

/Bo

I just received my Phantom 3 last week to US address before returning Norway. I ordered the the hardshell backpack and extra battery, and barely had time to unbox and repack before heading off to the airport. Had no issues with TSA before taking the Phantom 3 on a transcontinetal flight to London Heathrow. However, passing thru Terminal 5 Security, for connecting flight - backpack was bumped after passing thru x-ray. I had little time before next flight, and asked the supervisor to expedite check of the backpack. I then informed me that, CAA (european FAA) does not allow drones as carry-on on flights. Obviously the qualifier for being a drone was that it a camera. Any way, he said he would do me a favor and ask the captain of my flight, if he would allow it onboard. So he walks me, to the gate, where my Family of 4 was waiting and gate was closed. The had now taken off baggage and pushing back. British Airways now had to rebook us to the next flight - which was 10 hours later. Security supervisor took the Phantom back to Terminal 5 Security, and I had to go find the supervisor, after BA had completed the booking. He then escorted me to a counter where I had to check-in the backpack. This was an issue too, as the can only accept baggage for check-in 3 hours before departure of flight. So another supervisor and to sign off, and eventually I saw my P3A dissapear down the belt, sure that I was never gonna see it again (at least in one piece). Fair to say that it made it on to the flight and I picked it up in Bergen.
I'm checking with the CAA - but I pretty sure that this was some kind of powerplay from BAA (British TSA), because me asking to expedite Processing. They supervisor spent more tha 2 hours escorting me around Heathrow, carrying my P3A, I would imagine that the have more important to do. Needless to say, family did not appreciate the extra 10 hours at Heathrow - waiting for the next flight home.

Links for LiPo bags, please? A photo isn't much use, and neither is a link for all LiPo bags on Amazon.
I cannot find a bag with the above dimensions (175x75x50) on Amazon. I found a slightly larger one, though. Help?

Filmkit Posted at 2015-6-4 03:39
I recently travelled from The Netherlands to the US with the Phantom 3, 1 battery and a set of blade ...

Where does one get hold of a "lipo safe bag" and why the living heck isn't one included?

I'm supposed to be flying tomorrow morning!!!!!  aahahajadjdfcuijfcdfckjck

bigglyguy Posted at 2016-8-21 03:40
Where does one get hold of a "lipo safe bag" and why the living heck isn't one included?

I'm supp ...

Don't worry about it.
No airline suggests you need a Lipo bag.
Go to your airline's website and search for Lithium or Batteries to see their recommendation.

I've traveled around the world with mine since i'm a fulltime traveler. Never had issues, Never been asked to take it out, Never been asked to check it. I also always have it stuffed with lots of other camera gear. I've never worried about the Batteries being down to 30%, they don't care. Travel on and Fly on!

Warning to everyone trying to take their Phantom as a carry on baggage at Budapest airport (Hungary). They didn't let me bring bit with me, and had to leave it there. Very upsetting and I don't think they had the right to do it, this never happened there before. Anyways, just letting everyone know about that hateful airport.

OK, I'm home, and here's how it went..

Mad scramble around Kualar Lumpur in Malaysia, managed to grab a bag before the flight.

At KL airport flying to Singapore, no issues at all.

From Singapore to Helsinki in Finland, no issues at all

From Helsinki to Iceland, no issues at all.

From Iceland to Helsinki, no issues...

From Helsinki to Bangkok, Thailand, no issues at all

From Bangkoik to KL....  "Excuse me Sir, is this your bag? Does this device have a battery? Can I see the battery please?" After a few moments wrestling the super-strong velcro, the lady looked at the innocent little battery inside and said "OK, that's fine".

From KL to East Malaysia, where I live, no issues at all.

So the only place they looked with any curiosity was Bangkok, and even then they were more interested in the battery itself than if it was in a bag or not.

Anyway, I guess it's good to have one. If nothing else it pads the battery while saving having to have it inside the drone and putting more weight and stress on the drone itself during traveling.

It also helped to keep the battery warm, which was handy as Iceland can get icy and a few times intended take-offs were aborted because it just sat there complaining the battery was too cold. I didn't try it when really really windy but it did a great job holding position in some pretty strong winds.

The roads in Iceland can be incredibly bumpy (kind of corrugated, creating massive vibration through our rented SUV), but the P3S seemed to survive the vibration. Only once did it seem to be broken, with the camera refusing to go up or down and the gimbal obviously not working well, creating awful and jerky footage before landing and inspection. I tried it again, after repeatedly turning off and on again and eventually it seemed to sort itself out and has been OK since.

I haven't charged or flown it since returning on Friday night but I know it had no abuse on the way back so should be OK.

Trying to discharge the batteries before flying back I noticed the camera got very hot, and cursed myself for not removing the SD card. However the card also survived the trip OK and the footage is fine.

Must admit, being new to it and not wanting to take any risks with existing footage, all I really did was zoom up into the air, pan around to capture our surroundings each day and then back down again   Added to dashcam footage and and normal photos, should have a pretty good slide-show/video, once I pluck up the energy to tackle the 1000 photos and 64 Gigabytes of car and drone footage

Iceland is a very beautiful country, with nice people. Even the tourists are nice.

Note - drones are not allowed to be flown in national parks there.