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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mfr on June 08, 2014, 07:19:49 AM

Title: Flying with motorcycle in small plane
Post by: mfr on June 08, 2014, 07:19:49 AM
Hi, I am new to this fourm. I am planning to purchase a motorcycle and loading it in my Cessna 206. I have been looking around for the right kind of bike and think the 2014 FX would be it. I like the idea of no gas or oil in the cockpit. There is a company out there that will mod a ICE so fuel and oil will not leak. Don't know if I really like that idea. The Cessna 206 can handle the weight of bigger bikes but I don't think I can as loading is going to be a little tricky. I also like that I can remove the batteries and load these seperate from the bike. The fx I think should be around 200 pounds without batteries? Has anyone done this. Would like to hear some feedback on this. Any concerns flying with the batteries? Thanks
Title: Re: Flying with motorcycle in small plane
Post by: protomech on June 08, 2014, 07:44:13 PM
Yes, the FX should be just under 200 lbs without the batter modules. A 2013 FX may be a little lighter as well.

The concern with lithium ion batteries is that they can go into thermal runaway and catch fire. I think this is exceedingly unlikely - I haven't seen any reports of a production electric bike catching fire in the wild - but it's a concern that you may have to address. FedEx and UPS will not fly lithium batteries above a certain capacity, for example.
Title: Re: Flying with motorcycle in small plane
Post by: benswing on June 08, 2014, 07:50:48 PM
Lithium ion batteries have different chemistries.  The thermal runaway that was in the news is not the same in all batteries. 

For example, here is someone trying very hard to get Nissan Leaf batteries to catch fire.  They even use a blowtorch and the batteries do not ignite. 

Not sure what chemistry the Zero batteries use, but I would expect you will be fine.  Since you are in a small plane, the entire plane stays approximately the same temperature so the batteries will be stored in normal conditions. 

Should be pretty easy loading and unloading the bike since it is so light!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz37WycW-7E (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz37WycW-7E)
Title: Re: Flying with motorcycle in small plane
Post by: motorfiets on June 09, 2014, 09:03:38 AM
When I bought my Zero X I thought of loading it into the twin and flying it home... Wouldn't have any hesitation loading my bike in any of my planes
Title: Re: Flying with motorcycle in small plane
Post by: NoiseBoy on June 10, 2014, 03:54:02 AM
You have more than one plane? Yikes!

Carrying an fx in a private plane seems like a brilliant idea. "how fast does that electric thing go mister?"  ohh about 150 knots.
Title: Re: Flying with motorcycle in small plane
Post by: mfr on June 10, 2014, 12:09:48 PM
Thanks for the replies. About 125k. My 206 is not fast but payload is 1600LB.
Title: Re: Flying with motorcycle in small plane
Post by: motorfiets on June 10, 2014, 06:08:11 PM
Sounds like how we fly the caravan's... if the door closes... it's within W&B