Taking my Mavic to Iran

[Vilco]

They don’t let any Rc in the country has to be attached with a wire no wireless

And if you manage to get it inside and get caught. It’s gona be jail for sure it’s a different world out there.

I can believe what you say, their fighters in Iraq and/or Syria had to endure ISIL/ISIS using commercial drones both for reconaissance and attack against them

 

[ZeeKodadii]

I lived there when I was a kid 30 yrs ago. My uncle send me a rc car from here US they took the controller away and just had the car with no remote.

 

[Chip]

...Do you think it would go without challenge if someone from IRAN. Travelled to the US with a drone. Took footage, dunno.... anywhere ... then left the country with a bunch of cameras, SD cards and a drone...

I agree with you on everything except this one sentence. Remember that the 911 terrorists walked into airline flight school in Florida and announced they had no interest in learning how to take off or land the aircraft and everyone said "Ok sounds good if you have the tuition."

 

[go fast]

I agree with you on everything except this one sentence. Remember that the 911 terrorists walked into airline flight school in Florida and announced they had no interest in learning how to take off or land the aircraft and everyone said "Ok sounds good if you have the tuition."

Yes but that was obviously before 911 , a lot has changed since...

 

[Chip]

Yes but that was obviously before 911 , a lot has changed since...

Good point. But I am still very surprised to this day that no one at that flight school saw anything amiss. Are these flight schools regulated or monitored by FAA?

I enjoy seeing and hearing about these adventurers all over the world with a drone. Sounds great! Ive got to agree with majority here though that I would not sign up for this particular one no matter how glossy the brochure. No way after seeing how Otto Warmbier came back from the DPRK. Something about due process I like.

 

[ZUCSTA]

Good luck with that !
Personally I wouldn't take a drone to any of those countries where a regime is so strict. Just be prepared to be accused for being a Spy.
Take a toothbrush .Lol

 

[ZUCSTA]

Good point. But I am still very surprised to this day that no one at that flight school saw anything amiss. Are these flight schools regulated or monitored by FAA?

I enjoy seeing and hearing about these adventurers all over the world with a drone. Sounds great! Ive got to agree with majority here though that I would not sign up for this particular one no matter how glossy the brochure. No way after seeing how Otto Warmbier came back from the DPRK. Something about due process I like.

,

It is based on many other people's experiences. There is no shortage of horror stories about Iran. If you go and have a positive experience you might try a trip to north Korea. Great video awaits you there!

Haha. Surely this person can't have been on a deserted island? Or maybe he is just back from the milk factory in Iraq.
Yes ,some media can exagerate but really? A drone in ANY Middle east country ,you don't need to be einstein.smh

 

[westonmavicpilot]

"...better yet dont go!" Is that based on a negative travel experience in Iran, or based on the image you have of Iran? Would love to hear experiences from people that have actually been there, or have information about flying a drone in Iran.

It's more than likely based on common sense, but as they say, ''common sense isn't all that common!''

Don't do it. As others have said, you're potentially going to land in a world of hurt if you do!

 

[ZUCSTA]

Hi maartendev,

Have you traveled to Iran with your drone?

I am going to Iran in September.

According to this page, drones are allowed:

Iran Drone Laws – UAV Systems International

But reality could be differente.


Thanks for any info.

I would be taking that advice with a Pinch of salt!!Ask yourself, Who is the one who will be pulled up by the Religious police and who declares the places of Sensitivity, I am sure UAV systems won't be getting you of Gaol.

 

[ZUCSTA]

Iran is a beautiful country with lovely people. I havent been but I know people who have visited and flown drones without problems.

There are a couple of gotchas...
1. Visa requirements for US citizens are very strict and can take up to 3 months to process. In addition you are likely to have to be escorted at all times by a local (who may not want you flying a drone)
2. The same applies to UK passport holders based on the BTSFP principle (bomb the same f***ing places)

As a Brit I looked into it in some depth and decided it was more hassle than it was probably worth. Passport holders from less aggressive countries have no problems.

Wow sounds like a peaceful country and it the west who caused all the Problems.

 

[maartendev]

Hi all,

First of all, thanks for all the comments! It seems that most of you have a different view of Iran, compared to my experiences. I have traveled all around the world, and never have I felt more safe than in Iran. I felt really welcome, I was amazed by the kindness of the people, got invited by people at their homes, they shared their meals with me and I heard many wonderful stories about living in Iran. For those who are interested in seeing different cultures and want to by surprised by the warmth of people, I can really recommend going there.

Although most of you did not recommend it, i DID take my Mavic Pro to Iran. And I did survive without any troubles. There is a ban on drones in Tehran, so I didn't think about it to fly there. Next, I went to Kashan, another city. There was a beautiful mosque and I really wanted to take some shots and started to ask around if I was allowed to fly there. Soon many people were involved, and nobody knew if it was allowed to fly a drone there. I ended up with the local police officer and he told me I needed a permit to fly. Ok, no problem, I didn't fly my drone. As soon as people heard I was not allowed to fly, they invited me into the office of the mosque, and on the spot they burned a DVD with helicopter shots of the mosque that were shot earlier that year. Speaking of the extremely kindness of people!

I decided not to fly in any city in Iran, but luckily there are still many places with less people. So I used my drone a couple of times in the desert and on trips in the mountains. I always checked with local guides or authorities and as soon someone hinted that it was maybe not safe or ok to use it, I didn't use it. One of the local guides told me three weeks before me there were 3 German guys with a drone, so I was not even the first guy with a drone there.

My bags were not checked when I arrived in Iran and they didn't notice the drone when we left Iran. I don't know if I am extremely lucky, as I don't know what would have happened when they found it, but I never worried too much about it.

Hope you enjoy our short video of Iran:

 

[gnirtS]

Glad to hear it. Despite the paranoia they aren't banned other than around Tehran and sensitive areas. Its probably one of the nicer middle east countries and the regime there is a hell of a lot less paranoid and repressive than others such as Saudi. Its also got spectacular scenery.
Just employ common sense before flying and check with an official (its not like they're hard to find) if its OK to fly first - there maybe a sensitive site around you're unaware of.
There is a lot of misinformation and propaganda spread about Iran by certain groups. Yes its got repressive regime with a poor human rights record but is nowhere near as bad as some "friendly" Suuni states for that.
The middle east in general has spectacular scenery ranging from desert to snow capped mountains so in places where you can fly, its worth it. Just don't try it in Egypt or Saudi for example!

 

[Vilco]

Hi all,

First of all, thanks for all the comments! It seems that most of you have a different view of Iran, compared to my experiences. I have traveled all around the world, and never have I felt more safe than in Iran.

People is people, governments are just governments, and you've seen the better part

 

[ZeeKodadii]

Yup

 

[Chouser]

I don't imagine the scenery will be too good inside the prison camp.

 

[HippGris]

I am amazed by how prejudiced people can be on this forum. Asking questions such as "why would you want to go to Iran?" and telling you you'll go to jail just based on their assumptions, it is really sad that people have such a view of this amazing country. I am thinking of going to Iran and bringing my Mavic, so thank you very much Maartendev for your feedback on your experience in Iran. I had read about the drone ban above Tehran, but I wasn't sure about the permit part. I'll check if I can get some kind of permit before going, that would probably be the best way to avoid any problem. That and flying only in deserts, mountains and places without people / military installations. Just out of curiosity, how long did you go and where did you go, roughly? Your images are amazing

 

[stuckinbis]

Hi all,

First of all, thanks for all the comments! It seems that most of you have a different view of Iran, compared to my experiences. I have traveled all around the world, and never have I felt more safe than in Iran. I felt really welcome, I was amazed by the kindness of the people, got invited by people at their homes, they shared their meals with me and I heard many wonderful stories about living in Iran. For those who are interested in seeing different cultures and want to by surprised by the warmth of people, I can really recommend going there.

Although most of you did not recommend it, i DID take my Mavic Pro to Iran. And I did survive without any troubles. There is a ban on drones in Tehran, so I didn't think about it to fly there. Next, I went to Kashan, another city. There was a beautiful mosque and I really wanted to take some shots and started to ask around if I was allowed to fly there. Soon many people were involved, and nobody knew if it was allowed to fly a drone there. I ended up with the local police officer and he told me I needed a permit to fly. Ok, no problem, I didn't fly my drone. As soon as people heard I was not allowed to fly, they invited me into the office of the mosque, and on the spot they burned a DVD with helicopter shots of the mosque that were shot earlier that year. Speaking of the extremely kindness of people!

I decided not to fly in any city in Iran, but luckily there are still many places with less people. So I used my drone a couple of times in the desert and on trips in the mountains. I always checked with local guides or authorities and as soon someone hinted that it was maybe not safe or ok to use it, I didn't use it. One of the local guides told me three weeks before me there were 3 German guys with a drone, so I was not even the first guy with a drone there.

My bags were not checked when I arrived in Iran and they didn't notice the drone when we left Iran. I don't know if I am extremely lucky, as I don't know what would have happened when they found it, but I never worried too much about it.

Hope you enjoy our short video of Iran:

This video is absolutely amazing! Glad you had a good trip. And I do realize I’m posting late... Hoping I find more of your videos on that Vimeo page.

 

[JSKCKNIT]

Hi all,

First of all, thanks for all the comments! It seems that most of you have a different view of Iran, compared to my experiences. I have traveled all around the world, and never have I felt more safe than in Iran. I felt really welcome, I was amazed by the kindness of the people, got invited by people at their homes, they shared their meals with me and I heard many wonderful stories about living in Iran. For those who are interested in seeing different cultures and want to by surprised by the warmth of people, I can really recommend going there.

Although most of you did not recommend it, i DID take my Mavic Pro to Iran. And I did survive without any troubles. There is a ban on drones in Tehran, so I didn't think about it to fly there. Next, I went to Kashan, another city. There was a beautiful mosque and I really wanted to take some shots and started to ask around if I was allowed to fly there. Soon many people were involved, and nobody knew if it was allowed to fly a drone there. I ended up with the local police officer and he told me I needed a permit to fly. Ok, no problem, I didn't fly my drone. As soon as people heard I was not allowed to fly, they invited me into the office of the mosque, and on the spot they burned a DVD with helicopter shots of the mosque that were shot earlier that year. Speaking of the extremely kindness of people!

I decided not to fly in any city in Iran, but luckily there are still many places with less people. So I used my drone a couple of times in the desert and on trips in the mountains. I always checked with local guides or authorities and as soon someone hinted that it was maybe not safe or ok to use it, I didn't use it. One of the local guides told me three weeks before me there were 3 German guys with a drone, so I was not even the first guy with a drone there.

My bags were not checked when I arrived in Iran and they didn't notice the drone when we left Iran. I don't know if I am extremely lucky, as I don't know what would have happened when they found it, but I never worried too much about it.

Hope you enjoy our short video of Iran:

Very nice video! Well done.

 

[m0j0]

I am assuming that you are a citizen of the United States. If you are I would not make IRAN a travel destination. If you are not a citizen of Iran then of course that would change my opinion of you travelling there.

I am amazed by how prejudiced people can be on this forum. Asking questions such as "why would you want to go to Iran?" and telling you you'll go to jail just based on their assumptions, it is really sad that people have such a view of this amazing country

I can think of a few reasons why they would ask that assuming you are a citizen of the United States. I would ask the same questions and caution you that it isn't the safest vacation choice. I am not prejudice just personally would go to a place where I would feel more comfortable and a place where the government isn't advising me to avoid. Why is it that you assume people are prejudice when they ask the question. That's a bit sensitive if you ask me.. could it be this:

Iran Travel Advisory
Travel Advisory
January 10, 2018
Iran - Level 4: Do Not Travel
O
Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens.

I am thinking of going to Iran and bringing my Mavic, so thank you very much Maartendev for your feedback on your experience in Iran. I had read about the drone ban above Tehran, but I wasn't sure about the permit part. I'll check if I can get some kind of permit before going, that would probably be the best way to avoid any problem.

Again, assuming you are a US Citizen, I would advise you to evaluate your travel plans more closely and choose an alternate vacation spot. If you are set on going a drone would be the last thing I would take. A permit? Really...

That and flying only in deserts, mountains and places without people / military installations. Just out of curiosity, how long did you go and where did you go, roughly? Your images are amazing

Don't do it. That is all. I'm not prejudice I'm actually concerned for you. Again - this is based on your nationality and country of citizenship. If you aren't a US citizen go ahead.

 

[m0j0]

Wow sounds like a peaceful country and it the west who caused all the Problems.

I won't make any political statements in a drone forum. What I will say is no matter why the animosity exists or who is at fault.. The animosity exists. Don't take a drone to Iran. Doing so could result in you receiving attention you don't want.