Ok - I read an earlier thread before that I thought basically said that I could carry 2 RED batteries on board my carry on luggage and then 2 in my luggage. Also, the fact that RED was able to fly home from the 1st 50 RED owners seemed fine.
However, I just got this disturbing e-mail from a German film producer that states otherwise (see below).
Does Europe have different laws?
What about after Jan 1, 2008 with the new laws ?
Does RED have a different power solution?
What about fuel cells and airplanes?
HERE IS THE E-MAIL:
"Hello Greg,
your information on carrying batteries is not completely right: You can carry 1 battery on the camera and 2 as spare, all of them in the Cockpit. 140 Wh batteries are only allowed in check-In luggage, if they are put in a special case for "dangerous goods". These cases/containers must be registered in front at the airline, must have special signs on it (Class 9 dangerous goods), and, and, and. The airline can accept it, but must not. So in day to day reality, the maximum is 3 pieces
Having 140 Wh batteries means already that you cannot jump into a plane on a short decision, to shoot something somewhere. On the Top of it (as mentionned in my previous e-mail), there are 90% Chances that these rules will be even more restrictive by January 1st, and then you can completely forget taking any 140Wh battery onto a plane, or even quantities of Li-Ion batteries, which size ever, for which use ever. This is a reaction on unsafe copy products made in China, and on the laptop issues 12 Months ago."
HIS PREVIOUS E-MAIL STATED:
"The IATA (International Air Transportation Association) doesn´t allow to transport more than 3 Li-Ion batteries (one on the camera, two as spare, all of them in the cockpit) with more than 8g of Equivalent Lithium Metall. With 8g Equivalent Lithium Metall, you can physically get 98Wh of power under 14,8V, not more.
Considering that RED Batteries have 140 Wh (as long I know), they must have more than 8g of Equivalent Lithium Metall. In consequence, they are not allowed for transportation by air in quantities (not more than 3 pieces) .
According to our informations, there is no chance that this rule will be cancelled in future. It even seems that it will become even more restrictive. Considering the issues that have been with Notebook batteries 12 Month ago, I´m quite confident that this rules will be applied quite strictly.
I know that in the RED Forum, the question of transportation has been asked and has been answered positively: transportation by air isn´t an issue. For me it is hard to believe. The physical law are what they are, and you cannot get 140 Wh with less than 8g Lithium Metall. RED is making some miracle, but not such ones ;-)"
Originally Posted by Anton Bauer
