Mountain Biking - sick the what should i get topic, so here's an off the wall one

I can't take credit for all of this...but man it's a good idea!!! I got it from a motocross forum...but tell me this wouldn't be fun!!


As my mind starts to drift off to that place I’m sure many of yours has at some point in time…….

You’ve just won the lottery or you’ve inherited an ungodly amount of money from some long lost distant relative and you have unlimited amounts of cash. Of course you donate large amounts to various charities but after that, because you’re a mountain biker at heart, all you can think about is traveling around the country (the world even) riding your bike with you buds.

You’re going to need a private jet; one that can easily load 50 bikes + gear and aprox 50-60 passengers. I’m talking completely custom here. Lower level with built in workshop etc. upper level for the passengers, complete with lounge, http://www.bizjetphotos.com/jetfolio/jp1r1a.html
The outside of the plane is painted black with the Bikeforums.Net logo on the tail.

What I’m wondering is (obviously just for fun) what type of plane would fit the bill? This is for those of you who are knowledgeable about jets. I assume it needs to be the “cargo” kind where the back end opens up??

I’ve seen a program where you can buy a used, out of service jet and then hand it over to this company who will completely gut it and make it as custom as you want.

Or……… perhaps you would just buy a regular ol’ passenger jet AND a custom bikeforums Semi that just meets you at your intended destinations. Of course then you would be restricted to just this continent…………hmmmm, what to do, what to do……

I'm saying buy a used jet from the millitary, I mean our tax dollars have already paid for it..haha, and completely redo it!!!

Come on guys put on those daydreamers helmets and get to work on this one!!!


:beer:

Ewwwww....ok I don't know squat diddly about planes but a bomber of some sorts. Because with that type of money I would want a portable team that I sponsor and can around the world. I would subsection the back and create living area and storage area with a fully qualified shop. (are they big enough to do this...our bombers are tiny so I haven't ever seen a REAL one). Of course we would have to have a producer (maybe Thor) to make videos year round of all of our exploits in the most remote regions. Yeah that would be my thing.

Mael, we have bombers? :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

In TO...I do remember seeing one at the Ex when I was a kid...but other than that...I don't remember seeing them like when I visited the states. When I was in Arizona, holy smokes there was a bucket load of them :)

I'd get a Stealth Bomber, not tell anyone where we're going, get sponsored by Marzocchi, and travel to the most exotic places on earth. Starting in the USA, in CO, down to OK to pick up MikeOK, UT and get Joe, CA for Dirtbikedude and anywhere else that's cool picking up members as we go.then up to the NS and do some Stunts with Maelstrom, over to HI for some killer Volcano riding and a break to do some windsurfing/surfing. Over to Australia, and New Zealand and ride with Chris L and Media Creations. Then wherever our hearts desired. Of course along the way we'd have to stop in Switzerland for some skiing and snowboarding, Fiji for more surfing, and Monaco to hang with Anne-Caroline and Cedric.

L8R

And weren't they all grounded ;)

50 passengers is a lot. 50 passengers lounging is a ton. Your Dad's Learjet isn't going to handle it by a longshot. My suggestion for your unlimited source of money is a Boeing Business Jet (http://www.boeing.com/commercial/bbj/flash/index_flash.html). That should keep us cozy while you taxi us to the various MTB hotspots! :D

A bizjet for a group of MTBers? You gotta be kidding right? Something more appropriate would be the Sikorsky S-92 Helibus, Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, Sikorsky CH-47 Chinook or best of all... the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. Now if they can only keep the V-22 from crashing so much... but then again that's what we say about us mountain bikers too. :D

What you're looking for doesn't exist. There are three US made rear-ramp jet cargo aircraft in existence that would come close; from best to worst:

Lockheed C-141 Starlifter:
http://www.lmaeronautics.com/products/airmobility/c-141/index.html
This is the aircraft that would fit the bill but no 2nd deck. However, you could easily configure the front 1/2 of the aircraft for passenger comfort with storage and a work area in the rear. One of these could easily be retrofitted to be every bit as cool as Hugh Hefner's "Big Bunny" from the 70's (All black DC-9 with white PB bunny on the tail).

Lockheed C-5 Galaxy:
http://www.lmaeronautics.com/products/airmobility/c5/index.html
Largest airlifter made in the Western World (There is a C-5ski made by Anotov with six engines that is larger but hardly reliable). Regardless, these suckers are too big for what you have in mind.

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III:
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/c17spec.htm
This would work but get in line and get our your checkbook. The USAF and RAF have all of the current production booked.

Beyond these aircraft you get into cargo-ized commercial aviation aircraft like the Airbus 320, 320A, etc.. and Boeing 747, 757 and 767 cargo jets which can be configured with creature comforts up front and storage aft but, alas, no cool ramps to ride off onto the tarmac.

Of course, my personal pic would be for something that can pretty much land and take-off anywhere with a little less creature comfort -- a Lockheed C-130J-30 Tactical Airlifter:
http://www.lmaeronautics.com/products/airmobility/c-130/index.html

The "J-30" is the stretched version of the C-130 which adds 15 feet of fuselage area. In military trim, 96 paratroopers will fit nicely outfitted with their 400lbs of personal jump gear so 50 bike riders with gear would be an easy fit. However, this is a turbo-prop aircraft, not a "Jet". To be more specific, four Rolls Royce Allison turbo-props with composite 6 bladed props instead of "jet" engines and no second deck. However, if you want to land at Moab (as in 100' from slick rock, not at a nearby airport) or push a pallet full of MTBs out the back and static line jump 50 guys out after them this is the only aircraft that can do it. About $70M a copy but worth every penny.

Originally posted by livngood
There is a C-5ski made by Anotov with six engines that is larger but hardly reliable

Actually Antonov has two transports which are larger than the Galaxies. The An-124 is a 4-engine aircraft that's comparable to the C-5s but can lift 25% more than a C-5A and 10% more than a C-5B. The An-225 is the six-engine monster that was originally built to carry the Russian Buran space shuttle (hence the reasoning behind the twin rudders mounted at the edge of the tail to keep them effective and out of the disturbed airflow from the piggybacking shuttle) but now participates in more important things like hauling around Christmas cards for Ukranian children. Only one An-225 has been built but supposedly more will be constructed. I believe there was some plan for it to participate as a mothership/launch vehicle for an air-launched spaceplane at one point.

I would say a C130. and dont forget to drop by Greece to pick me up and then head to a Greek island.

Originally posted by khuon
Actually Antonov has two transports which are larger than the Galaxies. The An-124 is a 4-engine aircraft that's comparable to the C-5s but can lift 25% more than a C-5A and 10% more than a C-5B. The An-225 is the six-engine monster that was originally built to carry the Russian Buran space shuttle (hence the reasoning behind the twin rudders mounted at the edge of the tail to keep them effective and out of the disturbed airflow from the piggybacking shuttle) but now participates in more important things like hauling around Christmas cards for Ukranian children. Only one An-225 has been built but supposedly more will be constructed. I believe there was some plan for it to participate as a mothership/launch vehicle for an air-launched spaceplane at one point.

I would never buy a Russian jet. While Russian cold-war engineering and design was quite good (just look at the jet engines they produced) , the communist workforce manufactured absolute trash. You guys have heard about all those Russian jets falling out of the sky during airshows, right?

Buying a Russian jet is sort of like buying a kia or a hyundai instead of a mercedes-benz because it has a bigger trunk.

BTW, I would go for the C-17. sure its more expensive, but is faster and much more efficiant then the C-5 (save more $$ in the long run) and it can be equipped for Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capability.

Originally posted by Phatman
I would never buy a Russian jet. While Russian cold-war engineering and design was quite good (just look at the jet engines they produced) , the communist workforce manufactured absolute trash.

Just for the record, I never advocated buying a Russian jet either. Nor am I against buying one. You just need to take more precautions. If you ever find yourself in a position where you're seriously considering purchasing a Russian-built jet or warplane (especially one from the Soviet era), you should definately have it looked over with x-ray and ultrasound... especially the stator and turbine blades.

Not all Russian aircraft are bad... quite a few are welll reknowned for being reliable, tough and durable... take the Su-29 for instance.

ok, you guys know WAY to much about Jets!!!

I just want to pick up my buds and maybe a hottie or two (for the other guys honey, not for me of course!) and hit some trails. Then pop open some cold ones and sit by the fire and tell lies till we're sleepy!

L8R

Originally posted by Maelstrom
And weren't they all grounded ;)
Grounded, yeah I guess so, that concrete pedestal would make flying really hard!

Oooohhhhh! Engineering thread!
A few CH-53's (choppers) would be my first choice or a bunch of V-22 Ospreys (if they stop crashing).
Retro Style? The C-124 would fit well with the double deck idea slcpunk had.
Stealth? Hehehehe...
If we had an Anatov, we could bring our favorite mountains with us. :D
I live about 2 hours from Eugene, OR. We could go hijack the Spruce Goose.
And for Mael and Scooby, just think how weird a high performance bomber would look with maple leaves on the wings...

BTW slcpunk, imagine that plane in the link you posted after being used by a bunch of muddy mountain bikers. (That thought takes me to a happy place).

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
I'd get a Stealth Bomber, not tell anyone where we're going, get sponsored by Marzocchi, and travel to the most exotic places on earth. Starting in the USA, in CO, down to OK to pick up MikeOK, UT and get Joe, CA for Dirtbikedude and anywhere else that's cool picking up members as we go.then up to the NS and do some Stunts with Maelstrom, over to HI for some killer Volcano riding and a break to do some windsurfing/surfing. Over to Australia, and New Zealand and ride with Chris L and Media Creations. Then wherever our hearts desired. Of course along the way we'd have to stop in Switzerland for some skiing and snowboarding, Fiji for more surfing, and Monaco to hang with Anne-Caroline and Cedric.

L8R

How about up to NH to get me?

Originally posted by iamlucky13

And for Mael and Scooby, just think how weird a high performance bomber would look with maple leaves on the wings...

Especially if it could fly. Maybe THEN we could win the Stanley cup :D...But that would be odd looking :D

An airplane for MTB'ers, huh? You'd probably want something that can get to where all the choice out of the way trails are. Why not something like these?

http://www.beriev.com/ ;)

Why limit yourself to airports?