The Terrafugia Transition flying car or roadable aircraft may sound like science fiction, but actually, it is in production. The prototype, N302TF, had its first test flight on March 5, 2009 at Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG), New York, under FAA certification as Proof of Concept. There are over 80 firm orders for the carbon fiber vehicle, representing an order backlog of over $16 million. Regular gas from your local service station powers the 100 horsepower Rotax 912S piston engine.
CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) Terrafugia Transition flying car uses regular gas, not aviation fuel (Photo courtesy Terrafugia); (BELOW RIGHT) Terrafugia Transition flying car fits in a standard garage (Photo courtesy Terrafugia); (BELOW LEFT) Terrafugia Transition and Cessna aloft (Photo courtesy Terrafugia); (BELOW RIGHT LOWER) Dr. Carl Dietrich with Terrafugia Transition model (Photo courtesy Terrafugia); (BELOW LEFT BOTTOM) Terrafugia Transition parked in a residential driveway (Photo courtesy Terrafugia)
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The vehicle can go 65 miles an hour (105 km/h) on the highway, and aloft has a cruising flight speed of 115 mph (100 knots; 185 km/h), and a flight range of 460 miles (740 km). It can carry a pilot plus one passenger, along with luggage, for a total payload of 430 pounds (200 kg). Buyers can expect an approximate $194,000 price tag, but final prices have not been set. First deliveries are expected in late 2011.
Terrafugia takes its name from Latin, meaning "escape the earth". It is the brainchild of graduates of
the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduates of the MIT Sloan School of Management. The privately held company was founded by Dr. Carl Dietrich, and others. Dr. Dietrich is also the CEO of Terrafugia.
The FAA has certified the Transition as a light-sport aircraft (LSA), and given it a weight exemption which allows maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 1,430 pounds, over the usually specified 1,320 pounds, to allow for bumpers and airbags to meet Department of Transportation (DOT) safety requirements. While driven on the highway, it uses rear wheel drive.
Traditional flight instruments are replaced by Glass Cockpit avionics, and includes a dual function GPS with road maps and flight charts. There are also traditional rudder pedals with toe tip brakes, and a control stick that folds away and stows when the vehicle is driven on roads using the steering wheel. Electric motors and hydraulics control the folding wings, along with patented fail-safe flush locking hinges. Deployment of the wings are controlled within the cockpit, and are also part of a preflight check.
The Company states that the Transition can be parked in a garage or driveway, driven to and flown from any airport with a 2,500 foot runway, typical of over 5,000 public airports in the United States. Many of these are underutilized, unlike busy commercial hub airports. A sport pilot's license is required to operate the aircraft, with a minimum of 20 hours of flight time along with passing a practical flying test. A state driver's license and vehicle registration are also needed to drive the Transition on the highway.
A major selling point is that the Transition provides greater flexibility than a separate car and aircraft. It takes less than 30 seconds to extend and fold the wings, making it ideal for driving away from an airport, using it for ground transportation to conduct business without transferring luggage, and departing, if more convenient, from another airfield without the need to return to the original point of arrival. It is also a great attention grabber. Salespersons are among those who have placed advanced orders.
According to the Company, "The Transition isn't designed to replace anyone's car, but it could replace your airplane." So when your child asks you if cars can someday fly, tell them "Yes" with a clear conscience. As to flying pigs, the engineers are still working on that problem.
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Comments
This is really neat. I always wished this when I was up north and in CA & IL too - stuck in traffic for 3-5 hours. Now it is here. Thanks for sharing!
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Very cool! What an interesting article. I hadn't heard of this. The future is now...
Very cool, when I was a little girl, I watched the Jetson's and I always thought we would have flying cars. Okay, this isn't that cool, but it is getting there. Thanks for sharing.
This might add some convenience for some pilots who commute to work..fun article
Cheers..
Don't be fooled. This will never be produced in meaningful numbers. Like all flying cars, it will make for both a poor airplane and a poor car. A pilot will become bored very quickly. No real bumper system means a fender-bender puts it out of commission. Just try to insure it.
This is an old story that has been played over many times in aviation history. The big losers will be the investors.
A really fun article. Thanks, Joel!
Concerning a comment by Mike Danko below, thanks for your remarks Mike. I also have problems understanding the benefits of flying a very slow, but expensive aircraft which transitions to a very slow and highly vulnerable road vehicle. Wouldn't it better to design or convert an existing FAA certified aircraft to be able to easily load, carry, and deplane a small, street legal and safe auto? I think that would be more marketable, and have greater cost benefits. The car could also be made of carbon fiber, or have other weight reductions, and even be all electric, or a hybrid. Of course, it would mean departing from the same airport, thus less flexability.
On a related topic, there are about a dozen flying cars or roadable aircraft that are in various design phases. Some look like they came right out of the movie Bladerunner, more like helicopters with protected rotors. I may do a compilation piece about them at some point.
Thanks to everyone for following my articles.
Wow .. that is really cool! I want one.
We were promised these so long ago. I wonder if they will really be a reality.
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