82% of pilots ride: Riding a motorcycle is the first step becoming a pilot

We have a few pilot friends and are about two-thirds of the way to earning our own Sport Pilot Certificate.  One thing we’ve noticed after meeting fifty or so pilots over the years is that a huge number of them ride motorcycles.  Someone even told us that 85% of pilots ride motorcycles.

We decided to find out, and posted a poll on our favorite aviation forum, Back Country Pilot.   The poll asks pilots to indicate whether or not  they have a motorcycle license.   Fully 82% of respondents so far (107 out of 131) have licenses.  That’s an awfully high percentage, but right in line with what we expected.

Why do so many pilots ride motorcycles (or rather, why do so many motorcyclists fly planes)?  The two activities appeal to the same type of person—someone who enjoys manipulating controls, who enjoys freedom, and who looks at a difficult task and thinks “I could do that.”   A Sport License can be had for as little as 20 hours of instruction and for right around $4000.

The pictures here (except for the top one are from backcountrypilot.org

For more information about becoming a pilot, check out the FAA website