Technically Speaking - 2012/07

of late, there
has not been
anything new on
the shipping or
carrying of LiPo
batteries, but to
refresh memories
and keep everyone
up to date on the
latest information, I’ll go back and
state the facts.
Anytime loose LiPo batteries
are shipped anywhere in the US,
they have to go by ground-only
transportation. They are not allowed
in air shipments of any kind without
an accompanying person, as cargo or
otherwise.
If you are traveling by air and
taking an electric-powered model
with you, the model without batteries
installed can be easily shipped, but
the batteries must be carried by you
and only in your carry-on bags. They
are not allowed to be placed in your
checked bags.
When going through the
Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) checkpoint,
you’ll need to have them out for
inspection. The screeners have to
get a good look at them, otherwise it
will take you extra time explaining to
them what they are and why you have
them.
International shipping is the same
for personal modeling items. If you
are shipping unattended batteries
overseas, you will need to find a
shipper that will send small items
by boat. Shipping LiPos by air is not
permitted from the US on any carrier.
Often they can be shipped to the US
but you won’t be able to ship them
out of the country. This situation
has made things difficult regarding
world competitions held in the US.
Foreign competitors are able to ship
their batteries into the US, but unless
they personally carry them back, the
batteries will have to stay here because
they can’t be sent back unattended.
The latest carrier to ban overseas air
shipments of LiPos, whether installed
in a unit or loose, is the United States
Postal Service, which brings them in
line and up to date with the rest of the
air carriers.
Rule Book Cycle Update
For those interested, the 2013/2014
rules cycle is underway. The initial
round of voting has been completed
and is ready for posting, and the crossproposal
phase is starting. The overall
proposal count is down compared
with the last cycle, but there are
significant changes in the works for
some of the CL books and there are
always many changes in RC Scale
Aerobatics.
If you are a competitor, you
may want to keep tabs on what’s
happening with the rule book. You
may want to contact your district
contest board member and make sure
that person is working for the changes
you’d like to see.
I’ve included the two main links to
the current proposals and the voting
sheets that are posted. Remember,
all current Open members are able to
make proposals and are encouraged
to participate in the rule book
procedures.