While Uber and Lyft may have gone miles toward solving the “last mile” dilemma for general aviation pilots, a Northwest-based private pilot has launched a new program that could be a more complete solution. As reported by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Shahzad Satter launched GoCrewCar last year, so far limited to a few airports in Sattar’s Pacific Northwest location. But, he has ambitions to grow the concept within the region and hopes it will eventually expand throughout the nation.
The concept is based on the legacy “crew car” or “courtesy car” concept – traditionally consisting of a, shall we say, “utilitarian” vehicle made available by the FBO or airport operator for arriving pilots to use on a first-come, first-served basis. GA lore is rife with stories of some of the more rustic of such vehicles.
Sattar’s platform goes a few steps beyond to tap local car owners and airport employees who are open to making their vehicles available. He is also affiliated with ride-sharing company Turo and is open to partnering with other such platforms to expand options for GA pilots with ground-transportation needs at a wide range of airports. GoCrewCar also enables pilot-renters to upload their driver’s license and insurance information, and to purchase insurance for individual rentals.
