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Motorcycles

MotoLOAD motorcycle loading system for light aircraft

By Darren Quick
February 16, 2012
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The MotoLOAD winches a MotoCYCLE into an airplane using a cordless drill
The MotoLOAD consists of a sled into which a MotoCYCLE is laid and winched into the airplane
The MotoLOAD winches a MotoCYCLE into an airplane using a cordless drill
The MotoCYCLE with folding handlebars
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Light planes are a great way to get from A to B, but with the majority of small airports not boasting ground transportation services, getting from B to C can pose more of a problem. That's where the MotoLOAD system from Illinois-based MotoPOD comes in. Designed to slot into a small aircraft, the system makes unloading and unloading of some additional two-wheeled transport a simple job for just one person and their trusty cordless drill.

The MotoLOAD is constructed from welded aluminum tubing and can be inserted or removed from an airplane cabin in seconds, the company claims. Once in place, a MotoCYCLE custom aviation motorcycle with folding handlebars and pegs and no-spill plumbing is loaded onto a wheeled sled on its side with the front wheel removed. The sled is then winched into the aircraft using a cordless drill, guided into position on rollers, and secured with seatbelts.

MotoPOD currently has MotoLOAD systems available for Piper PA-32.34 series airplanes, with other models on the way. The system, complete with the lightweight, street-legal 223cc, 4-stroke MotoCYCLE, is priced at under US$15,000.

A video showing the MotoLOAD system in action can be viewed below.

Source: MotoPOD

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MotorcyclesTransportAircraftMotoPOD
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Darren Quick
Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continues as Managing Editor of New Atlas.
3 comments
Paul Isserlis
Great idea
Would take less room standing upright
Many small motorcycles available for convertion . no need to reinvent the wheel .
Paul Isserlis
bradleydad
Nice idea, but I really don\'t think I\'d like to fly with a \"bomb on board\", that is, a tank of gas in the back seat of my airplane. Perhaps when they develop a lightweight electric motorcycle. Meanwhile, this great idea using a cordless drill could perhaps be used to load ATVs and such into the back of a pickup.
KMcAllister
This is really very impressive. I\'ve looked around for transportation solutions for flying myself and I\'ve found that there is nothing else like this. There are foldable bicycles or scooters but nothing like this. You could put two people on this and take it down the freeway.
Plus, it\'s made in America!
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