The company Terrafugia created a flying car named The Transition® that has been cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration since 2008. But more recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have approved The Transition® to be street legal, bringing your childhood futuristic fantasy of seeing flying cars, much closer to finally becoming a reality.
Photos, video and a few specs after the bump!
Here are some impressive performance specs from their website:
Max, Vh:
Cruise, Vc:
Stall, Vs:
Range:
Takeoff:
100 kts (115 mph, 185 km/h)
93 kts (105 mph, 172 km/h)
45 kts (51 mph, 83 km/h)
425 nmi (490 mi, 787 km)
1700′ (518 m) over 50′ obstacleGross Takeoff Weight:
Empty Weight:
Useful Load:
1430 lbs (650 kg)
970 lbs (440 kg)
460 lbs (210 kg)Fuel burn at cruise:
Useable Fuel:
Mileage on road:
5 gph (18.9 L/h)
23 gal (87L)
35 mpg (14.9 km/L)Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
When driving it on the road you’d have the wings folded up, as you can see in the photo above. Having the wings folded also makes the aircraft small enough to keep inside of your garage.
Now, don’t get too excited thinking you can just up and fly away while driving through your neighborhood or on a highway. You’re only allowed to take off from a public use general aviation airport with at least 2,500 feet of runway.
Interested in making a purchase? The Transition is expected to cost around $250,000, and the company requires a security deposit of $10,000. In spite of the high price tag, Terrafugia has already pre-sold 100 of their flying cars, with Florida being one of their top buyers. (Prepare for many more Florida WTF! news)
First delivery is scheduled for late 2012.
Sources: Terrafugia, WTSP News
Seeing the driving skills people demonstrate with normal cars, i wonder if giving them flying cars is such a good idea.
more like flying airplane, but still very neat
I MEANT DRIVING AIRPLANE DAMN YOU