BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Mar 2013, 23:48

I'm a younger pilot, soaring enthusiast and aerospace engineer. I design, build, and fly things for a living... it's a fun job, but someone has to do it. I'm currently getting started on some design projects for the A-36 and B-58. This forum has been very helpful for uncovering little gems of knowledge about these airplanes. A little further down the road, I also hope to gather some feedback from the folks who fly them.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 15 Mar 2013, 23:52

Welcome, David. I know many of us here would like to know about your background, or - what inspired you to become an aerospace engineer? And let's hear something about these projects! :bat:

Did I say welcome? :cheers:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 00:04

Welcome aboard David! :thumbup:

Soaring is fantastic! :pilot:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 06:43

Welcome!

"...some design projects..."

What a teaser! C'mon....share!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 09:36

Welcome David :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 13:19

I got hooked on aviation when my paper airplane flew away in a thermal during 1st grade recess. That got me started with model aircraft, I soloed gliders at 14, then added a few more ratings during high school. I studied aerospace engineering at Penn State and I became very active in homebuilding my original designs. After school, I worked for an unmanned air vehicle startup until they went out of business. At that point, I moved into a hangar and started my own company.

When I was younger, I couldn’t wait to get my pilot license. I wanted to live my life in a larger radius, with more places to go and unlimited things to do. I eventually finished my PPL and I started flying to new places every weekend. I went to pancake breakfasts, aviation museums and fly-in restaurants… and within 10 or 12 flights…. I had exhausted every single aviation-friendly destination within 200 miles. It turns out that airplanes weren’t quite as useful as I had hoped. Since then, I’ve always wanted more places to go and more things to do with my airplane.

A few years ago, I founded MotoPOD LLC to provide pilots with innovative ground transportation solutions. It was our goal to make concerts, conventions, beaches and every-day places, more accessible. We wanted to help people fly more often, visit new places and explore destinations. We did this by integrating airplanes and motorcycles.

Last year, we developed a new motorcycle loading system for the Piper PA-32 and PA-34. After removing the rear seats, welded aluminum fixtures literally drop into place. After that, a highly customized 225cc motorcycle may be loaded and secured in two minutes, without heavy lifting. Now, we’re starting to design a very similar system for the A-36 and B-58. The useful load and double doors make these airplanes very well suited for hauling motorcycles. We’re still in the preliminary design phase but I’ll try to post more details when we get further along.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 13:41

Username Protected wrote:

I wanted to live my life in a larger radius, with more places to go and unlimited things to do.

Yup, this guy gets it. :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 19:37

Welcome young Jedi,
Consulted a crusty mechanic when you are designing things we are expected to maintain.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 22:26

Username Protected wrote:

I wanted to live my life in a larger radius, with more places to go and unlimited things to do.

Yup, this guy gets it. :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 22:28

Welcome David.... :clap:

nice design ya got there.... :bud:

but....all that will never fit in a Beechcraft. :duck:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Mar 2013, 22:49

Welcome David :bud:

It's great to hear of your enthusiasm and passion for aviation.

At the rate you're going, I have no doubt that one of our Beechcraft airplanes will be yours someday. :clap:

Mike

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Mar 2013, 08:08

Should be some pics of the bike pod for RV10 s that David produced. Very clever.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Mar 2013, 00:20

Thanks guys.

Mike, I do hope to have one someday. I’d probably have one a little sooner with a more conventional engineering career, but I can’t complain, because I’m having too much fun.

Rick, with a bit of ingenuity, I should be able to put all that in a Beechcraft… in 60 seconds… while blindfolded… and with one arm tied behind my back!

Here is a short video with both the Piper and RV-10 designs. There are also plenty of pictures on my website: http://www.MotorcyclePilot.com

[YouTube]z01s9u6OQfY[/YouTube]

Edit: The youtube video isn't showing but you can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z01s9u6OQfY

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Mar 2013, 05:58

David,

OK., I want one! Very cool indeed. Cute girl friend too.....and smart...she knows a great business idea when she sees one!

Best Regards,

Kevin

Username Protected · **Posted:** 18 Mar 2013, 13:25

welcome aboard. Now where are you based. do you need a 58 baron as your test bed for the device. Who makes them for you or do you have a welding shop of your own? I have both in Buffalo NY and am also a MC enthusiast. what bike do you use to keep the weight down? Oh what a wonderful idea, using an almost normal size bike that would fit into one of the big body Barons and Bonanzas. Let us hear more about how you are making out on the design and testing phase of that device

Pete Lane

New to Beech community