PATTERNPATTERN

Hi All,

With the impending World Champs in the USA I thought it would be good to start this post.

According to 2011 IATA guidelines their are now serious restrictions to carrying lithium batteries on Passanger Airlines and indeed cargo. Just wondering if others have seen this and what is their solution to getting their battery packs to Muncie?

In gerneral the guidelines are saying no batteries in checked in luggage and only 100Wh allowed in carry on baggage per person which is techincally one 5 S pack.

See Link: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/d...-Batt_2011.pdf

Would be interested to here the views and if FAI have any exemption or soultion for this which is a massive restriction on our sport.

can773

My Feedback: (1)

I have carried up to 6 5s packs in carry-on luggage. Never really had an issue other than a bunch of questions, a 5s 5000 mah pack falls within the rules, and the quantity is referred to as reasonable, so to me 6 packs is reasonable

icicles

Same here, 6x 5s in carry on luggage only. Carry them in your tranny case, tape up the balance wires and the power wires, remove tranny battery also.

I notified the airline before i travelled, they knew what i was carrying, how much etc. I spoke to their dangerous good section And had it mentioned on my E ticket

Last thing you need to do is stress them out at the airport, do your homework and you will have no problems.

Chris

PATTERNPATTERN

Good to hear you have had no problem would be interesting to know how recent you have travelled. Talking with a few airlines today these are now classified as dangerous goods since 1st Jan 2011 and will no longer be accepted.

I am sure different airline will will impose rule in different way but I think this is inevitable to cause electric pilots some issues in the coming Months. I am amazed that someone has not come up with a solution. Seem's crazy situtation.

Hope it doesn't cause issue for the Worlds as it would be a shame to tarnish he Worlds in US. Maybe Thundepower will supply free batteries :-) to pilots.

can773

My Feedback: (1)

Last I traveled was Nov. 2010.

So you can't travel with a laptop or cell phone? I think as long as you are under 100 Whr you are ok.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I flew on business a couple of days ago. Of course I noticed the warning about lithium batteries, which said none underneath, and suggested proper transport methods (taping connectors, etc) but nothing about limits. Definitely worth a phone call to airline, bad time for misunderstandings.

mithrandir

My Feedback: (2)

have them shipped to your hotel?

can773

My Feedback: (1)

Most customs do not like a package that originates out of country having the sender and receiver being the same person!

mithrandir

My Feedback: (2)

easy to get around prolly for most... send it from the office/workplace... use your co-workers name right?

icicles

I tried sending batteries from Hobby King to Portugal. I won't try that again LOL


Can be a costly exercise

Chris

PATTERNPATTERN

Looks like you can only put in carry on luggage and only one 10s 4500 pack would be allowed by new 2011 amendments to rules from IATA. See below extract.

Transport within Passenger Baggage
Certain restrictions apply to the carriage of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries even when carried by passengers as baggage. Once again, only batteries that have successfully passed the Tests outlined in Part III, Sub-Section 38.3 of the UN Manual of tests and criteria may be carried.
As said before batteries manufactured, distributed or sold by major companies do meet this requirement, however, certain replacement batteries which are not OEM or aftermarket batteries but simply low-cost copies of those – also called “fakes” – may not have undergone the required tests. Untested batteries are consequently excluded from air transport.
Users of equipment powered by lithium metal and lithium ion batteries should therefore be vigilant when buying replacement batteries from unknown sources, such as on markets or Internet auction platforms. The differences between genuine and copied battery types may not be visible but could be very dangerous; such untested batteries may have a risk of overheating or causing fires.
Because of the risks associated with the carriage of spare batteries these may not be transported within passenger checked baggage. Spare batteries must be in carry-on baggage.
These requirements are stipulated by subparagraph 2.3.5.9 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations: 2.3.5.9 Portable electronic devices (watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top computers, camcorders, etc.) containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries when carried by passengers or crew for personal use, which should be carried in carry-on baggage. Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch, and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each installed or spare battery must not exceed the following quantities:
(a) for lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries, a lithium content of not more than 2 g; or
(b) for lithium ion batteries, a watt-hour rating of not more than 100 Wh.
There is also provision, with the approval of the airline, for larger lithium ion batteries with a watt-hour rating in excess of 100 Wh, but not more than 160 Wh in equipment and no more than two spare lithium ion batteries as set out in subparagraph 2.3.3.2 as follows:
2.3.3.2 Lithium ion batteries exceeding a watt-hour rating of 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh may be carried as spare batteries in carry on baggage, or in equipment in either checked or carry on baggage. No more than two individually protected spare batteries per person may be carried.
Although the text provided above does not impose a limit on the number of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries that fall under the 2 g or 100 Wh limitation (See 2.3.5.9) being
Guidance Document – Transport of Lithium Batteries
Revised for the 2011 Regulations
carried as spares within a passenger’s carry-on baggage it must be emphasized that the number of spares must be “reasonable” in the context of the equipment used by the passenger and his or her itinerary. Furthermore, these must be intended to power portable electronic devices (including, but not limited to, cameras and professional film equipment, laptop computers, MP3 players, cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s), pocket calculators etc.
Batteries which are carried for the purpose of resale or beyond personal needs are clearly not covered.
The regulations imposed on these commodities by the United States competent authorities (Department of Transportation and FAA) match the ICAO / IATA regulations addressed in this document.

H

I recently carried 5 x 10cells from the UK to USA and return on BA (carry on only).
I discussed with BA the the watt/hr capacity and type of the cells and how they should be packed and isolated my e-checkin was endorsed.
No problems at all at security but it is worth having the discussion and endorsement prior to departure.
Adrian