
What would the neighbors say if they saw you driving a car like this down the street? Unless they're afraid of flying, they might just ask you for a ride. The Terrafugia Transition is a revolutionary new vehicle that doubles as a light sport aircraft (LSA) and two-passenger automobile. Designed by a team of MIT-trained aeronautical engineers and MBAs, the Transition runs on unleaded gasoline and has retractable wings so that it can run on the road and fit in your garage.
The Flying Car
Transforming the Transition from car-to-plane or airplane-to-automobile takes only 30 seconds. The controls for folding and extending its electromechanical wings are located inside a cockpit that measures 51" at the shoulder. When folded, the wings are 6' 9" tall – about the same height as some sports utility vehicles (SUVs). But that's about where the comparison to a gas-guzzler ends. Fitted with a 20-gallon fuel tank, the Transition burns 5 gallons per hour (gph) while flying and gets 30 miles per gallon (mpg) while driving on the highway.
The Aero Auto
A different kind of "hybrid", the Terrafugia Transition combines convenience and safety in an "aero auto". On the ground, the dual-purpose vehicle features front-wheel drive and an automotive-style entry and exit. With a useful load of 430 lbs, the Transition also has a cargo area with plenty of room for skis, fishing poles, or golf clubs. In the air, a pilot can listen to the hum of a 100-hp Rotax 912S engine while checking the plane's all-glass avionics. When it's time to land the light sport aircraft (LSA) for a day on the slopes, at the lake, or on the links, both pilot and passenger are kept safe by a full-vehicle parachute and automotive crash-safety features.
First Flight, First Deposit
Last month, the makers of the Terrafugia Transition celebrated the vehicle's first flight at Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York. According Terrafugia's web site, the "roadable aircraft" has a cruising speed of 115 mph, a stall speed of 52 mph, and a range of 460 miles. The freedom of flight comes at a price, however. With an anticipated purchase price of $194,000 (USD), the Terrafugia Transition requires a $10,000 airframe reservation deposit.
Click here to watch a YouTube video of Terrafugia's Wright Brothers moment on March 5, 2009.
Resources:
https://www.terrafugia.com/
Steve Melito
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