Van's Air Force
The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!
Portable scooter to carry in the 10?
- Thread starter AndyT
- Start date
I looked hard, found that decent speed and range are inversely proportional to carrying it in an RV-9A. I ended up with a Seqway NineBot but it's tough to get into my plane and have ended up only using it to get around the airport (long walk to the bathroom). More storage room with a baggage door may well make any of the better scooters working just fine.
Auburntsts
Well Known Member
Just as a data point, if you want something bigger, in our 10 we travel with folding e-bikes that have 20” BMX sized wheels. I put them the back seat in bike bags I bought off Amazon along with a collapsible wagon to haul gear in. I bungee the wagon to the bike’s cargo rack and turn it into a redneck trailer of sorts.
I have & fly with the Ninebot at times. A quick release on the steering bar brace makes for an easier loading.
There are many electric folding scooters out there with good speed and range. We had 2 that fit in the back of the 14 and took them everywhere. They would fit easily in the back of the 10 but after the electric scooter incident at OSH 2024 (maybe 2025) decided that I was not risk averse enough to place in the back of the 10. Went with true folding bikes (non-electric) for the 10. A little bigger but still easy to peddle. Check the battery chemistry for whatever you purchase.
Last edited:
I've had great success in my RV7 with Dynamic Scooter Model B - https://dynamicscooter.com/product/model-b/
It's defining characteristic is that the board folds completely in half so it is infinitely easier to get in and out of the airplane compared just normal electric scooters. The speed, range, and everything else about is unremarkable but the ergonomics are brilliant and it beats walking.
It's defining characteristic is that the board folds completely in half so it is infinitely easier to get in and out of the airplane compared just normal electric scooters. The speed, range, and everything else about is unremarkable but the ergonomics are brilliant and it beats walking.
FYI, May's issue of Sport Aviation and the latest Camping Guidelines advises that if you're camping at Camp Scholler:
Might influence what you decide to get.
- The following electric devices are strictly prohibited in Camp Scholler: electric scooters, electric motorcycles, segways, electric unicycles, electric hoverboards (including Onewheel devices), and electric skateboards.
- Unlicensed motorized vehicles including motorbikes, motor scooters, or motorcycles are prohibited on Camp Scholler roadways.
- A valid driver’s license is required to drive licensed motor vehicles in Camp Scholler. This does not include golf carts, ATVs/UTVs, electric bicycles and other personal transportation devices.
- The speed limit for all vehicles and devices being operated in Camp Scholler is a maximum of 10 MPH This includes all automobiles, motorcycles, golf carts, ATVs/UTVs, mopeds, electric bicycles, etc.
Might influence what you decide to get.
I thought that getting a Golden Retriever into the luggage compartment was difficult until I tried to wrestle that scooter in there. Without the Flyboys canopy extension, don't even think it would be possible. Last-mile transportation has always been a topic on aviation forums. Skateboards and One Wheels keep coming up, but I think there must be an age limit on the practicality. I've seen some truly impressive crashes on those things, both professionally and while scrolling YouTube. I don't heal like I used to...not for me.
Folding bikes are good. Never have to worry about the charge and cables. This one has a belt drive and internal geared hub. Looow mx.
www.prioritybicycles.com
PRIORITY FOLDER
The Priority Folder is the most compact, versatile bicycle we’ve ever offered. It's a belt drive folding bicycle that's an ideal option for intermodal commuters and recreational riders for whom storage space is a concern. The Folder is a tremendous value.
www.prioritybicycles.com
glider_rider
Well Known Member
No direct experience with a 10. Brompron folding bikes are the most compact ones. Plenty of cheap and decent quality clones available. For serious touring I would recommend a Montague bike. Fits nicely in 14 baggage compartment.
I have 2 of these https://zizzo.bike/products/zizzo-f...sa3qiOulkkp49SdukqY2JfTDe0IOSOQdfw-vvGPQ5tya1 If anyone is interested. Like new, with carrying bags, lite 23lbs, only used 3 times. With my wife's health declining, it is not safe for her to be on a bike. PM me if interested. Would have to pick up in Virginia. I will post a proper add if I get no response.
Last edited:
I have this folding scooter and have taken it in the back seat of my RV-8 numerous times and its fits fine in the baggage space of an RV-7. It should fit easily in an RV-10.
WOW!!! Is this a change for this year?? I had my electric scooter while camping at Scholler last year and it was a life saver getting to/from your tent to the gates or just getting around camp. They don't allow them on the flightline/inside the fences of course. If they are actually banning them, that's almost a show stopper for me camping there again.
Odd that they allow electric bikes but not scooters or one wheels.
It is indeed a change from last year. Jack Pelton had a nice opening article in last month's Sport Aviation magazine discussing this issue. If you go to the EAA website, Airventure, camping, it's got what I put on this thread post #8, or click on the "camping guidelines" link I put in that post.
Thanks. I'll have to go have a look at that Sport Aviation article. I did see a lot of folks last year zipping around and some a bit out of control. But nothing that warranted a total ban. Seems like an over-reaction. My electric scooter was a life saver for me last year as I was struggling with a bad back last year and walking from Scholler to the gates was agony. I would have killed to have been able to take it inside the gates.
Is there more information on the "electric scooter incident" that is available? I'm interested in learning more. Thank you.
I’ll try and post but won’t be to later. The good news is the vast majority of these fires occur during the charging phase.
While others might clearly understand your question, I think better explaining what you want would help answers.
When I search images for scooters I see all kinds of things with 2, 3, or 4 wheels along with various power sources.
Inside the gates? Yeah you and a half million others...what could possibly go wrong.
Form attached
Yeah, unfortunately I became an unwilling participant in the show.
Bottom line is there is no friggin way I would put a lithium ion battery of any significant size in my airplane other than a Lithium Iron. Lithium Iron yes, any thing else lithium no!
These scooters use batteries that have massive energy storage capabilities and most chemistries will rapidly dump that energy in basically an uncontrolled manner in a catastrophic event.
My scooter was a very high end brand name unit that had been cared for meticulously. Unfortunately it went thermonuclear and tried to burn up my camper and many others in Scholler.
Once these things go into thermal run away, there is no recovering the situation. What is gonna happen is already written into stone.
Nobody will ever know why mine decided to ruin my day because there was nothing left of the battery than a molten pile of charcoal. My camper was slightly damaged, however it was saved by a Good Samaritan that had the knowledge, skill and willingness to do react to the situation and save the day. One second everything is fine and the next Nightmare on Elm Street.
Thank God for people that understand there is an issue and that are willing to react to it, otherwise it would have been a bad day for me, many other campers, Camp Scholler and the EAA. God forbid if anyone got injured.
Anyone that thinks they are immune or that this can’t happen to them is just plain wrong! It can happen to anyone and it will happen again to someone somewhere that is least expecting it.
Last edited:
These things are Dangerous Goods not allowed on commercial aircraft. DG rules may not apply to private flying but that doesn't mean it's safe. Wouldnt catch me with one of them in my airplane either. My cell phone and Ipad scares me enough. I do carry a fire resistant bag in case, but it would only buy me a few extra minutes.
Getting a little off topic from the original request here, but just as a Public Service Announcement…. Airliners carry fire bags to contain battery fires from all the various electronic devices carried on commercial aircraft. Ask for assistance from your friendly (or not so friendly) flight attendant.
etwow gt 27 lbs can go 27mph and I even two up on it extensively with my wife. Been slamming around in the trunk of my car for 3 years and still works excellent.
Was this the reason for the scooter ban? Given they still allow E-bikes, I'm assuming not.
Thanks for sharing, Brian! follow up questions, was it in the process of being charged when it happened? if not, was it immediately after a long ride?
I thought the biggest risk was when charging and to a lesser extent when being used, especially long or hilly rides that can raise temperature. But my understanding is there's much less risk when just in "storage" as they would be while flying. But I'm always willing to be educated.
I've been carrying mine along in my -7 when needed but maybe I should reconsider.
No, if it was they would have to ban any lithium powered device above a certain amp hour rating.
Jack did mention in his Open Cockpit Commentary in the front of the Sport Aviation magazine:
"While some of the incidents involved the lithium battery power supplies leading to fires that could have been a lot worse than luckily they were, most of the problems stem from high speed and other unsafe operator behavior, compounded by a lack of safety gear."
I was told by the EAA Officials and the Fire Chief, that these types of fires in the campground have increased over the years as these products have become more and more popular. Apparently my incident was not isolated.
It was when it was being charged. Something that many of us take for granted as being perfectly safe. This exact scooter had been charged the week before in my basement garage which is right underneath where my family sleeps. I can't imagine what would have happened if it went nuclear inside the home.
I would say that you are most likely correct that charging, hard discharge and high ambient temps definitely raise the risks involved with these things but the absence of them does not eliminate all the risk. Many of these have dozens if not hundreds of battery cells connected in series/parallel configurations and all it takes is for one cell to go shorted for some reason and thermal runaway will be the result.
I for one have totally changed my thinking on when, where and how I charge these kinds of batteries which seem to be in everything these days. A friend lost his house to a drill battery being charged last year. Many local colleges have banned scooters/one-wheels/e-bikes from being charged in the dorms.
glider_rider
Well Known Member
I think it would. Here is the Montague Boston in my 10 project.
Attachments
