First, I don't pretend to be an experienced international traveler. I'll leave advice on that up to others who are.
I've traveled extensively over the years with other drones and some now with the Mavic, but never before on a commercial airline, and never across an international border.
I had the opportunity to travel the Northeast U.S. and Canada, and almost left the Mavic behind due to concerns about inconvenience and unfamiliarity with local laws and regulations. It is somewhat sad that it has come to that complete feeling of uncertainty.
I'm now glad I talked myself out of leaving it at home.
We flew from NC to Boston, U.S. and then drove across the border into Nova Scotia. I packed the Mavic fly-more into carry-on with the extra battery terminals taped. I had previously researched the airline policy for the limits of lithium allowed, and the Mavic and three batteries are well within them. At no point was the Mavic scrutinized or even questioned.
I understand the international flights might be a different story now and it might not be so straightforward with those. Do your research, and others can chime in with the details for this type of travel.
I researched in advance the airspace restrictions in the areas I was going to be and planned on flying in places where there were none. While in the U.S. I was able to get current airspace info from Airmap but, not willing to pay exorbitant cell fees, I took screenshots of the airspace areas in Canada to use while offline. I also cached Google Maps for the area and remained offline the entire time unless on Wi-Fi at the Motel.
For sake of reference, I am still on .0400.
No, I did not, have not, and will not calibrate the compass unless directed to do so by the software. As usual, everything worked perfectly, thousands of miles from my home base.
Some tips:
1. Do plan to pack your Mavic in the carry-on, as I think all domestic airlines now mandate this, at least for the batteries. Also, you'll have quick access to it in case of security questioning.
2. Don't think you will be able to fly when and everywhere you want. Many places attractive to tourists tend to have an abundance of airports. Notifying them all is sometimes impractical or impossible in a short time span.
3. When going across the border, cache your maps, both land and airspace unless you have a good travel cell plan. Leave your device in airplane mode. The Mavic flies perfectly well that way.
4. Don't plan on flying in National Parks no matter what country you are in. Unfortunately they are all off limits here, and in Canada, and will remain so, until the officials pull their heads out and figure how to incorporate them into tens of thousands of square miles where they would disturb no one. But that is a well worn discussion, and you simply don't want to leave your confiscated Mavic behind.
5. Use common sense when in unfamiliar or questionable areas. Launch and land as far away from people as possible, and don't fly directly over them. In some of my video it might appear that I was over folks, but believe me, at no time was I DIRECTLY over anyone. I didn't want to be that guy on CNN who clobbered someone with a defective drone.
I had nothing but positive responses from anyone I came in contact with. Pretty sure, very few were even aware my Mavic was around.
And last, can anyone tell me why I still only have the US "footprint" on my Go-4? I was looking forward to having a Canadian flag as well.
If I made a mistake somewhere, so be it. I gave it my best shot.
Here are the results of my efforts, and if anyone is interested I'll give you the settings used:
I've traveled extensively over the years with other drones and some now with the Mavic, but never before on a commercial airline, and never across an international border.
I had the opportunity to travel the Northeast U.S. and Canada, and almost left the Mavic behind due to concerns about inconvenience and unfamiliarity with local laws and regulations. It is somewhat sad that it has come to that complete feeling of uncertainty.
I'm now glad I talked myself out of leaving it at home.
We flew from NC to Boston, U.S. and then drove across the border into Nova Scotia. I packed the Mavic fly-more into carry-on with the extra battery terminals taped. I had previously researched the airline policy for the limits of lithium allowed, and the Mavic and three batteries are well within them. At no point was the Mavic scrutinized or even questioned.
I understand the international flights might be a different story now and it might not be so straightforward with those. Do your research, and others can chime in with the details for this type of travel.
I researched in advance the airspace restrictions in the areas I was going to be and planned on flying in places where there were none. While in the U.S. I was able to get current airspace info from Airmap but, not willing to pay exorbitant cell fees, I took screenshots of the airspace areas in Canada to use while offline. I also cached Google Maps for the area and remained offline the entire time unless on Wi-Fi at the Motel.
For sake of reference, I am still on .0400.
No, I did not, have not, and will not calibrate the compass unless directed to do so by the software. As usual, everything worked perfectly, thousands of miles from my home base.
Some tips:
1. Do plan to pack your Mavic in the carry-on, as I think all domestic airlines now mandate this, at least for the batteries. Also, you'll have quick access to it in case of security questioning.
2. Don't think you will be able to fly when and everywhere you want. Many places attractive to tourists tend to have an abundance of airports. Notifying them all is sometimes impractical or impossible in a short time span.
3. When going across the border, cache your maps, both land and airspace unless you have a good travel cell plan. Leave your device in airplane mode. The Mavic flies perfectly well that way.
4. Don't plan on flying in National Parks no matter what country you are in. Unfortunately they are all off limits here, and in Canada, and will remain so, until the officials pull their heads out and figure how to incorporate them into tens of thousands of square miles where they would disturb no one. But that is a well worn discussion, and you simply don't want to leave your confiscated Mavic behind.
5. Use common sense when in unfamiliar or questionable areas. Launch and land as far away from people as possible, and don't fly directly over them. In some of my video it might appear that I was over folks, but believe me, at no time was I DIRECTLY over anyone. I didn't want to be that guy on CNN who clobbered someone with a defective drone.
I had nothing but positive responses from anyone I came in contact with. Pretty sure, very few were even aware my Mavic was around.
And last, can anyone tell me why I still only have the US "footprint" on my Go-4? I was looking forward to having a Canadian flag as well.
If I made a mistake somewhere, so be it. I gave it my best shot.
Here are the results of my efforts, and if anyone is interested I'll give you the settings used:
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