FAA bans cargo shipment of lithium-ion batteries on passenger flights

Skybadger · Feb 28, 2019

I just read this today. Thought this is something you all should be aware of in case you missed it. I'm certain this applies to Li-pos as well since they are essentially the same when it comes to fire hazard.

FAA Bans Cargo Shipment of Lithium Ion Batteries on Passenger Flights

The Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation on Wednesday issued an interim rule banning the transportation of lithium ion cells and batteries as cargo on passenger craft, as well as setting a 30 percent charge limit on ones shipped as air cargo.

gizmodo.com

Phaedrus · Feb 28, 2019

This has more or less been in effect for a couple of years now on a voluntary basis. It does not affect carry on batteries.

Skybadger · Feb 28, 2019

Yes, thats true. Thought it would be of interest that it's been officially implemented.

Phaedrus · Feb 28, 2019

Skybadger said:
Yes, thats true. Thought it would be of interest that it's been officially implemented.

No question.

R.Perry · Feb 28, 2019

When our people go the Huntsville for flight training we take our drones with us. This is really going to screw the pooch for those wanting to transport their drones.

Phaedrus · Mar 1, 2019

R.Perry said:
When our people go the Huntsville for flight training we take our drones with us. This is really going to screw the pooch for those wanting to transport their drones.

Why can't they bring the batteries in carry on? Nothing has changed there. This only affects shipping of batteries in the cargo hold of passenger planes. I have not been able to check a lipo pack for some time.

R Martin · Mar 1, 2019

R.Perry said:
When our people go the Huntsville for flight training we take our drones with us. This is really going to screw the pooch for those wanting to transport their drones.

You just have to carry the batteries in a fireproof pouch in your carry-on luggage. I think that is the acceptable method now.

R.Perry · Mar 1, 2019

Sure, carry eight pairs of batteries in your carry-on. When I went to Huntsville in August I put four pair of batteries in my Inspire 2 case and not said a thing. On my return flight they made me open the case looked in said, yup that's a drone, and that was it.
This is going to be a real pain for people that need to travel with their drones.

skiptv · Mar 2, 2019

R.Perry said:
When our people go the Huntsville for flight training we take our drones with us. This is really going to screw the pooch for those wanting to transport their drones.

You can still put your drones in cargo. You just have to bring the batteries as carry on.

skiptv · Mar 2, 2019

R.Perry said:
Sure, carry eight pairs of batteries in your carry-on. When I went to Huntsville in August I put four pair of batteries in my Inspire 2 case and not said a thing. On my return flight they made me open the case looked in said, yup that's a drone, and that was it.
This is going to be a real pain for people that need to travel with their drones.

You ever seen a drone battery blow on its own. Google search it. Now do you want to be the guys who’s drone batteries take down the plane your on?

Moosewax · Mar 2, 2019

skiptv said:
You ever seen a drone battery blow on its own. Google search it. Now do you want to be the guys who’s drone batteries take down the plane your on?

Yeah the concern is pallets full of batteries.

Let's ban cell phones and ipads they got batteries too.

You want to be on the plane with someone whos smart phone blew up? Google it, plenty of videos on the internet.

R Martin · Mar 4, 2019

Moosewax said:
Yeah the concern is pallets full of batteries.

Let's ban cell phones and ipads they got batteries too.

You want to be on the plane with someone whos smart phone blew up? Google it, plenty of videos on the internet.

The cells are usually in the owners pocket. I call that a win.....

Carl Friis-Hansen · Mar 5, 2019

What about the 100Wh capacity rule? Does that still apply?

Phaedrus · Mar 5, 2019

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/Airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf

Meta4 · Mar 6, 2019

Carl Friis-Hansen said:
What about the 100Wh capacity rule? Does that still apply?

Everything still applies, nothing has changed.
This is not a new issue.
It's the FAA being slow to update their documentation to comply with rules that have been around for the last three years.