General aviation airplanes offer so much flexibility and autonomy when traveling. Aside from weather and air traffic control, you have control of every factor relating to the flight—maintenance, timing, route, and more. After landing, however, you are often dependent on the ground transportation available at the airport—rental car, courtesy car, Uber, golf cart. To stay truly self-sufficient in your travels, take your own. When you are looking at portable transportation options, consider whether the products meet your physical needs, fit in your aircraft, and align with your budget.
Determine what kind of transportation you want based on the amount of physical effort you want to exert, whether you want to sit or stand, and how well you can balance. And think about your mission—where will you be riding it, what kind of terrain will you be going over, and what kind of range will you need? Your answers to these questions will help you determine if you want a scooter, bicycle, or Onewheel, for example. Then you can determine if you want something that is all electric, pedal powered, or a hybrid.
Check the product’s dimensions and weight—this will help allow you to determine if it will fit in your aircraft, how much it will cut into your useful load, how easily you can load and unload it, and how much room would be left for baggage and passengers. Finally, consider the price and weigh that with the ease of use, how often you will ride it, and how long you plan to keep it. This will let you decide whether you are OK with a more expensive product that will work well for you and the aircraft for the next 20 years or if you want to shop around for more economical options and possibly sacrifice a bit on one factor or another.
—Alyssa Cobb
Zizzo Via folding bicycle
Folding bikes have gained popularity with commuters and city dwellers who like the ability to have a compact means of transportation. Now, pilots are catching on. The Zizzo Via folding bike feels just like any other bike—it’s stable, comfortable, and familiar. But after a ride, it folds to be 14 inches by 27 inches by 31 inches, a good size for a baggage compartment (although it may not fit through the baggage door). Folding the bike for the first time can be a little complicated, but with helpful how-to videos from Zizzo, you can get the bike folded in less than a minute. —CC
$379.99 | zizzo.bike
iVeta electric scooter
Although most general aviation airports have courtesy cars, ride-share service, or public transportation, sometimes you need your own set of wheels. Rechargeable, battery-operated, two-wheel scooters may look goofy, but can be practical when exploring new flying destinations on the ground—or for scooting across the ramp at your local airport. I went with the iVeta S10 foldable, 10-inch solid-wheel, 500-watt model because of positive reviews, power, price, and the 32-pound weight. Slightly larger wheels provide pavement irregularity relief compared to 8-inch variants. With occasional use and about 10 miles covered, a mid-July charge lasted to the end of August. Three selectable top speeds between 10 and 20 miles per hour keep you in your comfort zone, and it easily fits into a Piper Tri-Pacer or a Cessna 152 Aerobat. (Pro tip: For additional security replace the four handlebar screws with Allen hex bolts and apply a dab of Loctite.) —DT
$399.99 | amazon.com
Pedego Latch folding e-bike
Looking for a way to get from the airport to the restaurants without tiring yourself out? The Pedego Latch hybrid bike might be a great option. A small, electric motor on the front wheel supplements the rider’s pedaling, reaching speeds of 20 mph without breaking a sweat. The bike folds to a compact size and comes with a bag. It’s a premium product, but it also commands a premium price. Another potential downside for pilots? The weight: 56 pounds (47.2 without a battery installed). —CC
Starting at $2,795 | pedegoelectricbikes.com
Pro Tip Wheels at the ready
Don’t want to carry your wheels with you? Maine’s Bikes for Pilots program stations bikes at select airports from May to October—just bring your own helmet and lock up when you’re finished. On the West Coast, a similar program provides airport bikes for a ride to the beach from Oceanside Municipal Airport in California. Just be sure to call ahead. —SD
