I took my DJI Phantom 3 with me to South Africa, checked in advance if drones were allowed. I also checked with the airline company I flew with or it is allowed to take a drone with you on a plane. And what the rules are for taking your drone with you on a plane.

Can I take my drone to * destination * or not? And how do you know it’s allowed?

It varies by country or drones are allowed. So make sure you are 100% sure before you take your drone on board. It would be a shame if your drone were taken away at customs. Google in advance so you know it is allowed to take your drone with you and also check this website. In some countries drone flying is prohibited or only permitted with a special license.

Planning to take your drone on an airplane?

Tijdens onze vlucht naar Zuid-Afrika vlogen wij met KLM. Wij mochten onze drone inchecken als handbagage als de drone koffer  voldeed aan de standaard handbagage afmetingen. Onze drone werd op schiphol nagecheckt en dan checken ze met name de accu’s. Zijn deze half leeg? Zijn ze goed verpakt in een Lipo Battery Safe Bags? Want als je dit niet goed doen kunnen ze namelijk zomaar ‘ontploffen’. Stuur dus even een mailtje naar je luchtvaartmaatschappij of het is toegestaan een drone in te checken en wat de regels daarvoor zijn.

During our flight to South Africa, we flew with KLM. We were allowed to check in our drone as hand luggage when the drone suitcase met the standard cabin baggage dimensions. Our drone was checked at Schiphol, they checked the batteries in particular. Are they well packaged in a Lipo Battery Safe Bags? Send an email to your airline so you know the rules and if it’s allowed to check in a drone.

Rules vary by country

Make sure you check what is and what is not allowed each country you’re visiting. And follow these rules. For example, in Belgium it is forbidden to fly with a drone. In the Netherlands (2017 rules) you can fly with your drone if:

• you stay under 120 meters;
• you keep your drone in eyesight;
• fly only during the day and with a good view on the surroundings;
• avoid people and animals;
• do not fly above cities, villages, railways, roads and ports;
• do not fly near airports;