MotoPOD has developed a motorcycle loading system for Piper PA-32/34 series airplanes. A patent-pending collection of ramps and fixtures allows the pilot to load and secure a street-legal motorcycle while a built-in winch system, powered by a cordless drill, does all the work.
After landing, it takes just a few minutes to remove the motorcycle and ride away in James Bond-style, according to company officials.
Most of the country’s 5,400 small airports don’t have ground transportation services. That’s a really big problem for general aviation, according to MotoPod officials.
“We’re trying to support a paradigm shift and change the way in which people use airplanes,” said President David Shelton. “Integrated air plus ground transportation achieves more of the utility that we demand from our automobiles and provides more places to go and things to do. What percent of every-day destinations just happen to be fly-in destinations? To a motorcycle pilot, they are ALL fly-in destinations.”
MotoLOAD is manufactured from welded aluminum tubing and the entire system may be inserted or removed from an airplane in seconds, he notes. After loading the motorcycle into a wheeled “sled,” it’s tipped onto one side, then winched into the aircraft cabin. Once inside, additional fixtures guide the motorcycle into position and the entire package is secured with seatbelts.
It’s designed to haul the MotoCYCLE, a custom aviation motorcycle with folding handlebars, no-spill plumbing and other features. MotoCYCLE is lightweight, street-legal and provides highway performance for two. Complete packages cost less than $15,000.
Products are currently available for the Piper PA-32/34 series airplanes and the company has hinted that other models are on the way.
For more information: MotorcyclePilot.com
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Something like this has been needed for a long time, and I’m glad to see MotoPod working on it. I’ve always thought, though, that it would be a better idea to aim for one or (where space permits) two lightweight but street-legal scooters rather than a full-fledged motorcycle – assuming that’s what a MotoCYCLE is. The scooter(s) would be easier to un/load and would weigh less, especially when taking into account whatever system is required for un/loading and securing them.