Air travel with LiPo batteries - a response from the CAA.

[Skye]

As promised I contacted the Civil Aviation Authority last week, in response to the discussion on here over carrying LiPo batteries in your luggage during air travel.

I have now had a response from them so here are the main points extracted from the reply :


Provided the lithium ion batteries have a watt-hour rating of no more than 100 Wh, then in addition to those inside the car, there is no restriction on the number of spare batteries that can be carried, provided that each one is individually protected from short circuit and they are for that person’s own use.



They should also be carried in carry-on baggage rather than in checked (hold) baggage.



There is no requirement for the batteries to be contained in a LiPo sack, although the added protection the sack provides is welcome.

I also requested a formal written document specifically written for this subject which I have been promised in the near future, as soon as I receive this then I will put it on here or on a link where it can be easily accessed and printed off by anyone who may require it.

There may be further complications in the near future however as they also added :

There will be an additional requirement that will be introduced from 1 January 2013 (or possibly sooner depending upon the results of an international meeting in February), which will be that each cell and battery carried by a passenger must be of a type that has successfully passed a series of United Nations tests.

I provided them with a PDF file of all the BRCA approved batteries for 2011 which their response in relation to the above statement was :

I note that the attachment you included contains a list of BRCA approved batteries and I wouldn’t guarantee that they have all been subjected to this testing.

So it appears that batteries that we currently use may not be legal for air travel within the next 12 months if they have either a; not passed the new regualtions, or b; not have the relevant certification to confirm they have passed the tests.

Once I have the formal document, or if I receive any additional information on the subject then I will post it up on here to share with everyone.

[h0m3sy]

Great work Skye:thumbsup:

[gainsy]

Great info Rich :thumbsup:

[russmini]

The only thing i would mention is the CAA have put Lion whereas, we run LiPo...

I know in essence they are the same, but there is a slight difference, especially in what they are called, so therfore cause still cause a problem if you got a Mr Jobsworth...

[Skye]

The only thing i would mention is the CAA have put Lion whereas, we run LiPo...

I know in essence they are the same, but there is a slight difference, especially in what they are called, so therfore cause still cause a problem if you got a Mr Jobsworth...

A good point, we know there is minimal difference but airport staff may not. I will feed this back so the final document reflects this. :thumbsup:

[DCM]

I was under the impression that for the battery to be exported and couriered via air travel, they had to meet this UN thing anyhows, I guess getting the COSHH leaflet from the distributor or clarification from them, as in a certificate or signed document would be sufficient?

[James]

Great post, very informative and useful :thumbsup:

[neiloliver]

Lithium ion and Lithium polymer cells and batteries already have to meet the tests described in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Fifth Revised Edition (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.5 section 38.3 and be <100Wh if they are to be excepted from Dangerous goods shipping. I don't think I have seen any packs with the Wh rating on them but it IS a requirement and has been for some time.

The UN code (UN3480) is the same for both Lithium Polymer and Lithium Ion - there is no distinction between the two.

N

[SlowOne]

Can I assume that to calculate the Wh it is Ah x volts? For example, 6000mAh = 6Ah x 3.7 V = 22.2 Wh, or 6Ah x 7.4v = 44.4Wh. Just checking...

Thanks for the info Neil and Skye.

[neiloliver]

Yes, it is the rated capacity (in Ah) multiplied by the average voltage (in V). and is expressed in Wh. These would normally be based on the 5 hour discharge rate.

[mark christopher]

I don't think I have seen any packs with the Wh rating on them but it IS a requirement and has been for some time.


N

ALL 2012 homlogated lipo will have the watt hours on them, now a brca/efra reguirment

[Steven Forster]

The LiPos we use in RC must already have some kind of relevant certification for them to be transported all around the world by plane as i know my Lipos came from hong kong via air mail.............:confused::confused::confused:

On a side note there was a fire on a plane not long ago caused by a lipo/lion battery which was being used in a mobile phone during a call.......!!!

[Gayo]

Many thanks for your time and investigations.


Once I have the formal document, or if I receive any additional information on the subject then I will post it up on here to share with everyone.

Really interested in this too.

[DaSloth]

So we'll be scrutineered at the airport and the race track now!? :thumbsup:

Very informative post though, very well done.

[Skye]

In response to Neils comments stating his belief that batteries are already subject to the UN tests and regulations I took this up with the CAA. The response I have just received is :


All lithium batteries are currently required to be of a type where both the cells and the batteries have successfully passed the UN tests when sent as cargo.


The requirements for passengers are slightly different currently since there is no specific requirement that the cells and batteries must be of a type that has been tested, but as indicated previously, this will be changing by 2013 at the latest.

Other points of consideration given are :


For those people shipping them, they shouldn’t assume that they have been tested, since we have come across a number of companies in the UK that have sourced cells or batteries from other companies and have found that they haven’t been tested.


Equally, there have been some companies that have bought batches of cells that have been tested and then used those to produce battery packs for specific products, without realising that they then need to subject the completed packs to the same tests.


Even more worryingly, there are some parts of the World where it is common practice to produce certificates saying that the tests have been carried out when they haven’t.


In practice, most commercially available batteries will have been tested, such as those used in laptops, cell phones, watches etc, so it is the more specialised types of batteries where some care will be needed.
I hope that helps clarify a few things... :thumbsup:

[JabberingJimbo]

Just dragging up this old thread...any new updates or adivse for flying to US with Lipo's......
Looks like I'm doing a round of the J Concepts 'super cup' in Florida in less than 2 weeks :woot:

So far it looks like car, radio + batts packed nicely in carry on bags...what else am I missing.

[neiloliver]

Insulate terminals with tape and put in carry-on luggage only. Do not put in checked luggage

http://safetravel.dot.gov/

[MatJohnson]

Yep, hand luggage only. They even ask if they are in devices or spares in checked baggage now.

[JabberingJimbo]

Cool, thank you :thumbsup:
Time to start packing....

[Mash Potato]

Any updates on this folks?

I've tried contacting the airline I'm travelling with but seem to be drawing a blank. Info I have found seems to be that the rules have recently changed, but if I can get a definitive answer or pointer to the info that would be ideal.

[cutting42]

Any updates on this folks?

I've tried contacting the airline I'm travelling with but seem to be drawing a blank. Info I have found seems to be that the rules have recently changed, but if I can get a definitive answer or pointer to the info that would be ideal.

Not racing lipo's but I had to bring 3 large 18v 5000mAh Lion drill batteries home from the USA recently and asked at check in. In short the above advice is still correct. All batteries (including ones in the car) must be in your hand baggage and almost certainly will be checked at the scanners. Cover the terminals with tape and you will be fine. I had a guy at the scanner query it saying they were not permitted but I stood my ground and he checked with a supervisor and I was cleared to travel.

[Dr Fly]

So i actually carry battery prototypes all over Europe with work. The original post of this thread is some good advice.

All i would add is that the CAA places restrictions on the maximum you are allowed, but the airlines are welcome to place restrictions above and beyond that.

Please see the link Below which shows the British Airways Policy, I carry a print out of this document with me at all times (even when flying with other carriers), you will often find that the check in staff or the security line staff will have their own interpretation of the rules, so you should have this to hand just to show how you are complying. Its also worth noting that this document is updated OFTEN. Last year you could carry up to 20 x 100wh batteries, this year it has been reduced to 4!. Having said all that, i have never been stopped, and i have carried some pretty suspect looking packages onto a plane.

http://www.britishairways.com/cms/global/pdfs/lithium_battery.pdf

there is a lot of speculation and crap reported by the press and inaccurate gossip about the topic. The biggest issue at the moment is that most LiPo's are sent on pallets on airfreight from the far east. And this is what is being cracked down on for the obvious risks.

And just to clarify the terminology between Lithium Ion and Lithium Polymer. THey are all the same as far as regulations go, it covers ALL lithium batteries. (LiPo, is actually a Lithium-Ion Polymer battery)

[johnboy]

Interesting thread

I work in the aviation industry and lithium batteries are a real pain at the min as the rules change all the time. My role I have to be fully trained on dangerous goods.

All aviation authorities inc the CAA answer to a body called IATA and they produce the rules for the carriage of dangerous goods by air.

IATA have produced a table for check in staff see attached https://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Documents/passenger-provisions-table-23A-en.pdf.

In it you will find relevant info regards lipo's

If oople members would find it of use I will post any updates to the rules regards lipos and air travel.

[Mash Potato]

This is great advice, much appreciated. So I'm thinking by the sounds of this if I take my car, radio and battery (taped up over terminals) of 5000mAh I should be OK. Not been racing in years, now it looks like I may be an international racer :-)