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By: Bailey Holtz
Flying almost always emerges victorious when ranked against other forms of transportation. If you are looking at speed, traffic avoidance, and productivity, a trip by way of an aircraft will almost always be superior to a trip by terrestrial means.
According to Wired, flying is now almost always more energy-efficient than driving. Airlines are dead set on cutting down their fuel use and, since the 1970s, when flying was twice as energy-intensive as driving, they have greatly reduced the amount of energy needed to move one passenger to their destination. So, you can feel better about your environmental footprint if you fly than if you drive.
And for trips that would take over eight hours by car, flying is almost always more cost-efficient, says Forbes. You’re avoiding things like hotels, tolls, fuel, and the priceless value of your time. Plus, these days, with the proliferation of budget airlines, you can get yourself from one place to another very cheaply indeed.
One small exception to this rule is the helicopter, which is inherently more expensive than a plane to operate on an hourly basis, and therefore might not necessarily be more cost-efficient than a ground vehicle. But, in terms of versatility, and just plain all-around awesomeness, the helicopter has no match. It can take off from and land virtually anywhere and would be more energy-efficient than, for instance, hiking or even driving up an epic mountain face only to snowboard back down it.
If we’re talking about speed, it’s a no brainer. Any aircraft can almost always fly faster than any form of ground transportation. Helicopters can fly somewhere around 160 miles per hour, while commercial passenger jets commonly reach speeds in excess of 500 miles per hour.
Now, we often consider congestion to be a roads-only problem, but congestion exists in the air, too. Every day, the Federal Aviation Administration provides service to over 44,000 flights. That’s a lot of aircraft in the air at any given time. Air Traffic Control, however, mitigates many of the problems caused by congestion, so it isn’t nearly as aggravating as on the roads. Of course, any mode of travel is not without risk when human error is ever-present, but aviators are highly trained individuals. Comparatively, you won’t see them trying to pull a mid-flight U-turn or recklessly cutting you off only to check their brakes.
And as for comfort: well, that’s a personal call. But at least in a large commercial aircraft you can get up and use the restroom! Plus, your dining options are way better at an airport than at a guilt-induced roadside stop. Depending on what market a given airport is located, good restaurant finds run abound - everything from award-winning sushi joints to modern Italian cuisine, and of course, a sundry of impulsive goodies.
This all being said, there are instances when ground transportation is both necessary and desirable. You can’t fly your helicopter to your office (If you can, kudos to you!). And if you want to escape into nature for a weekend, you’ll want a method of agile transportation that will give you access to the beauty you came to see.
However you travel, why not use the benchmark of aircrafts in terms energy efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness? We at Aviator Mercantile Post understand the importance of these factors and have come up with a list of some transport methods the ardent pilot can tip their proverbial captain’s hat to.
Despite our affinity for flying, we are also diehard fans of self-powered transportation. There’s something immensely gratifying about knowing that you, and only you, arrived somewhere by way of sheer physical output. That’s why we love bikes and kayaks: it’s just you, your body, and putting forth your best pedal or paddle for the path ahead.
Bikes are genius inventions, often taken for granted. They get you from point A to point B in a fraction of the time it would take to walk—about a fifth of walking time, to be specific—using a fraction—again, about a fifth—of the energy. Once you have a bike, you are cutting your travel time down by 80%. Especially in urban environments, bikes are almost always more efficient than walking, driving, or taking public transit.
Bikes cost virtually nothing compared to motorized vehicles, too. The average annual cost of car insurance in the States is $1621, the price of an excellent bike that will last you many years. Bikes also require far less maintenance and absolutely no insurance. And the icing on top of the cake: there’s no threat of tickets or traffic violations. So, in terms of speed, cost, and energy, bikes give aircrafts a run for their money if you’re seeking a sense of freedom.
Our absolute favorite bikes are ones that have a convenience edge, too. We love folding bikes like the Paratrooper, an impressive multi-speeder, which can be condensed to trunk-size in less than twenty seconds. Let’s not forget that you can pack these puppies away easily in the cargo compartment of most personal aircraft. It’s the perfect solution for anything from commuting to mountain outings. They even come in electric versions too for a desired assist.
Equally remarkable in terms of total embodied efficiency is the kayak. Sure, it’s limited to waterways, but, in case you forgot, the majority of the planet is made of water. So if you’re interested in exploring part of that 70% of Earth’s surface, you might want to invest in a kayak.
With kayaks, you are definitely not going to reach the speeds you might achieve in a car or even on a bike. An experienced kayaker at full stride can only reach speeds of about 6 miles per hour. All the more time to take in some fresh air, not to mention experience an utter sense of adventure and the freedom to navigate uninhibitedly.
Piloting requires being fit for flight, and at Aviator Mercantile Post we opt for breaking a sweat out in the open instead of on the lackluster treadmill. Although slightly less energy-efficient and therefore more challenging than cycling, kayaking is great way to burn calories while also becoming distracted by the scenic surroundings. Plus it stacks up quite nicely against other activities such as freestyle swimming and cycle racing, using only about a quarter of the energy needed for those two high-intensity activities. Most of the action takes place in the upper body, but you’ll be surprised how fast your cardiovascular and muscles adapt from the inspiration that this physical pastime conjures.
Another way to improve your efficiency is to get the most dynamic kayak out there. It may come as a surprise to kayak newbies, but there are six different types of kayaks, each with a specific design and purpose. Put yourself in a wide recreational kayak, for instance, and you’re not going anywhere fast. But get yourself a sea kayak, and you’ll be cruising through the water like a fish.
After personally transporting, witnessing, and eventually trying it firsthand, we’re proud to say we carry one of the most efficient and all-around awesome kayaks on the market. Oru designs folding kayaks that can be broken down swiftly into small, portable boxes—again, our love of portability is showing! Ideal for both transporting by vehicle or by the common aircraft, you can bring this kayak virtually anywhere without any cumbersome lifting nor need for fastening to a roof.
The Coast XT kayak is one of our favorite examples of Oru kayaks. Built for pro-level performance, yet well-suited for the novice, this beauty can cut through even arctic waters in a flash, with minimal energy expenditure on your part.
We’ve covered self-powered vehicles, which, while amazing for casual and recreational use, aren’t universally going to guarantee you arrive at your final destination. For the day-to-day, the chores, the quick trips, the road trips, the pick-ups and drop-offs; well, we love to pay homage to legendary motor-powered vehicles.
Firstly, the Queen of England loves Land Rovers. She has been transported in these cars since 1948, when her father, King George VI, was presented with the 100th production Land Rover. Land Rover is one of two automotive manufacturers to hold all three Royal Warrants from the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales. This has nothing to do with efficiency, but it seemed worth mentioning.
Illustrious history aside, Land Rovers are exceptional vehicles that even the most zealous aviator wouldn’t pass up to drive. Some Land Rovers surprisingly boast excellent fuel efficiency. The Velar SUV gives you an average of 28 miles per gallon, which is very impressive for its class.
Likely the Land Rover’s strongest quality is its ability to conquer any terrain. You can comfortably reach speeds on uneven surfaces that would be unthinkable for any other car. True story: In 1972, the British-Trans American Expedition crossed the Darien Gap in South America with a Land Rover. The Darien Gap is a dangerous piece of roadless continent that connects North and South America, nearly impossible to cross and riddled with bloodthirsty animals and smugglers. The fact that a Land Rover was chosen for this expedition says a lot about this vehicle. It is, in a way, the helicopter of the ground: versatile, maneuverable, and able to get the job done when other vehicles can’t.
Plus, Land Rovers have, from the start, been incredibly unique, always standing in sharp contrast to other vehicles. No matter how fuel-efficient and teched-out modern Land Rovers become, there is something undeniably alluring about a vintage Land Rover with their timeless utilitarian designs and decades worth of service. From the completely terrifying Series II Cuthbert to the center-steer, whose steering wheel was—you guessed it—in the middle of the car, Land Rover has created cars that are in a class of their own.
One of our favorites is the 1975 Land Rover Series III 109. Take a look at that and tell us it’s not as head-turning as a helicopter.
Our final pick is the Indian motorcycle. Like the Land Rover, it boasts a significant history. Founded in 1897, the Indian motorcycle was the subject of the film, The World’s Fastest Indian, starring Anthony Hopkins. Indian Motorcycle has had its financial troubles in the past—lots changing of hands and eventual bankruptcy—but now is back in business and their old ways, releasing some spectacular powered two-wheelers.
Indians are classic motorcycles, supremely built for a liberating experience. Their designs and performance have been refined over the years, but their legacy was never forgotten. These motorcycles are worthy of a random trip around the block or across the country. Or at the very least, a proper salute in honor of their trailblazing history.
What’s your preferred method of ground travel when your aircraft isn’t available? If you’re open to suggestions, peruse the O AGL collection of bikes and kayaks at Aviator Mercantile Post. You won’t literally be flying, but it will certainly feel like it!
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