Custom Bush Plane Carries Two Dirt Bikes Under Wings

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“Scrappy,” Mike Patey’s bush plane with solar panels on its wings, hauls two Segway Dirt eBike X260s. (MikePatey.co/)

Mike Patey, an engineer/pilot/entrepreneur who’s always chasing challenging aircraft projects, has directed his latest focus on something unusual: mounting electric dirt bikes beneath an airplane’s wings.

You read that correctly; the Utah native’s latest aircraft build, a Carbon Cub named “Scrappy,” features mounting points beneath its wings for hauling Segway Dirt eBike X260 models to desolate areas that would take hours to reach via riding. And, yes, Segway is the company that created those self-balancing upright two-wheelers popularized by the character Paul Blart in Mall Cop.

Not only do these bikes mount underneath Scrappy’s wings, but the electric bikes are charged by solar panels on each wing.

Mike Patey installs a special bracket on Scrappy’s wings that helps reduce drag while hauling the Segway X260s. (MikePatey.co/)

The design of the Carbon Cub airplane, a modern kit version of a Piper Super Cub, is highlighted in one of the latest YouTube videos at the Mike Patey channel. To date, his channel has more than 275,000 subscribers; a few videos have over a million views.

High energy is his style, and his videos feature his love of mathematics, physics, engineering, and pushing the limits of technology with challenging builds that accomplish the seemingly impossible.

As Patey says in the video Are you kidding me!? Hauling Electric Motorcycles to a Mountain Top? | Scrappy #67, “Every time something new gets built, the entire world advances.”

Patey has played a huge part in advancing the modern airplane industry; think of Roland Sands in the motorcycling sphere. Each plane pushes the limits of flying and quickly garners attention from aircraft enthusiasts.

Patey’s other builds include an RV-10, Comp Air 8, Epic LT, two Lancair Legacys (piston and turbine), and three custom designs that fumes uniqueness: “Turbulence,” “Draco,” and Scrappy.

A look at the underworking of Scrappy’s wings, which have a unique flap design for stability. (Cycle World/)

Draco, unfortunately, suffered a crash during takeoff in 2020, but many parts were salvaged for the Scrappy build.

Scrappy is a bush plane designed with many of Patey’s signature innovations, including a propeller intended for an airboat and featuring a paddle design for high thrust at low speed, dynamic controllable suspension, the ability to lower 20 inches, carbon fiber body, a ballistic parachute, and wings covered in solar panels to charge the two Segway electric motorcycles. Scrappy also comes with such accessories as outdoor lighting.

The X260s have gained popularity in the electric off-road scene because, due to their lack of pedals, they are more motorcycle than bicycle.

Some particularly interesting Segway Dirt eBike X260 stats and figures:

• 0–31 mph in just over 4 seconds
• 184.3 lb.-ft. of torque
• Top speed of 46.6 mph
• Max range of just under 75 miles
• 4 hours for a full charge
• Swappable batteries for added range
• 121 pounds of weight

This is definitely something you don’t see every day—two Segways mounted beneath the wings of a customized Carbon Cub. (MikePatey.co/)

Scrappy itself began life as a CubCrafters Carbon Cub EX3 bush airplane. The plane is powered by Lycoming opposed eight-cylinder 780ci that produces more than 600 hp. The airplane rolls on huge Alaskan Bushwheel tires.

Every inch of Scrappy can provide endless geeking-out sessions, but the wings likely generate as much interest as lift. Patey designed them so he would experience zero drag whether the bikes were mounted or not. This was for incidents when needing to drop the bikes off at a cabin and fly somewhere else.

The solar panels covering the wings provide power for two battery banks, one in each wing. The X260s charge while Scrappy is airborne; when the eBikes are dismounted, the wings continue to charge the power banks.

These power banks also provide power for other items, such as lights during the evening for camping. Patey says these lights receive more charge than can be used, the perfect solution for powering everything while truly off the grid.

Other highlights besides the mounted X260 eBikes are two hard-shelled gun cases, which are also mounted underneath the wings, and dispense snacks and beverages.

Patey works on the design of Scrappy’s wings, which were built to effortlessly haul and recharge two electric dirt bikes beneath each wing. (MikePatey.co/)

Patey’s personality can be felt in every angle of Scrappy’s design. He doesn’t only chase aeronautical engineering feats and race records; he also has a classic maverick appeal, developing and commercializing technologies for multiple sectors, including senior health care environmental solutions.

According to his website, Patey holds five world air racing speed records from planes he had designed, built, and flew, and was inducted into the Sport Air Racing League Hall of Fame in 2016. He is also a Garmin Aviation ambassador and advisor to several aerospace and defense companies including Pratt & Whitney.

A quick glance at Patey’s history shows something new is always waiting in the wings. And hopefully, dirt bikes are suspended beneath those wings…maybe four eBikes next time?

To learn more, visit Mike Patey’s website.

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