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Video: Terrafugia's Flying Car Lifts Off

Posted March 19, 2009 9:40 AM

From Engadget:

We've had a lot of fun with Terrafugia over the last year or so, but we weren't exactly holding our breath in anticipation of the Transition's maiden flight. That said, we're definitely psyched to hear that the "roadable aircraft" went airborne in a super-secret test flight that took place in the early hours of March 5th at Plattsburgh International Airport. The vehicle left the ground for a good thirty-seven seconds, traveling some 3,000 feet. At a press conference today, the company's CEO Carl Dietrich remarked that "with this achievement, Terrafugia has set the stage for personal aviation." Which, considering how folks light up I-95 on an average workday, might at first blush seem somewhat unsettling -- but to each his own, right? According to the company, more than forty people have put down the $10,000 deposit for the new aircraft, which -- if all goes according to plan -- will be hitting the road sometime in 2011. Videos after the break.

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Anonymous Poster
#1

Re: Video: Terrafugia's Flying Car Lifts Off

03/19/2009 3:29 PM

Just my luck I'll be flying my new Terrafugia down to Miami and halfway there I'll get stuck behind some little old lady from Idaho who's flying in front of me with her left turn signal flashing the whole way.

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Anonymous Poster
#2

Re: Video: Terrafugia's Flying Car Lifts Off

03/20/2009 8:14 AM

That is one UGLY vehicle...

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Video: Terrafugia's Flying Car Lifts Off

03/20/2009 10:09 AM

And the cops will have to shoot you down. Now I know pigs can fly!

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#5
In reply to #2

Re: Video: Terrafugia's Flying Car Lifts Off

01/16/2011 9:11 AM

Ugly is a bit strong word, forms follows function, wait untill the airbags come out, it will be even funnier looking !

i am more of a flying hovercraft "fan", look at (google) the ABS Donar hovercraft (not flying yet but ...) , this is serious stuff, and the infrastructures don't cost much to build and maintain. AND, on an hovercraft, the air bags don't look out of place ...

But the exercise is not futile, congradulations to Terrafugia. Prelude to aquafugia ? who knows.

We have parasailors (with an egg beater) sailing over our heads when we snowkite, so far no accidents reported, but there are no wires above the lake.

We just will have to get used to 3D driving now, cars, hovercopters above i95 in Dade Cty , TVscreens, movies and "reality" opera lifestyle, the sound of "amusic" as long as they don't crap on our heads, Malibu sounds like a good model name ! We have to find a new birds getaway "timeshare" sky, otherwise mothergoose will have to find a louder toon for flight formations and connections. A promess for great sky concerts.

I wonder if they charge for luggage ? Taking off from Plattsgurg ! I am used to Manchester NH int'l. Will they have connections to large hubs ? Like NJ turnpike and i87, i95, NJ Garden St. I request clean sleep/rest-areas.

The ironman doesn't seem like a far fetch idea afterall, i loved that movie.

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#4

Re: Video: Terrafugia's Flying Car Lifts Off

03/20/2009 11:24 AM

Pardon me, it's not a flying car if it's not having VTOL capability, enabling it to take flight from the home driveway!!

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