It might not have the classic lines of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, or the space-age appeal of the airborne fishbowl George Jetson darted around in, but this flying car is real – and might be sitting in your neighbour’s garage in two years’ time.
Carl Dietrich, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a team of highly educated aerospace engineers and hobby pilots have developed what they call “a roadable plane” that can fit into your garage, drive you to work, even fly you to Montreal.
The Terrafugia Transition, which takes its name from Latin (terra meaning `land’ and fugia meaning `fugitive,’ or `to flee’) took to the skies for the first time in March, and has since flown 27 more times. Toronto Star
Categorised as a light sport aircraft, the Transition is a two-seat aircraft designed to take off and land at local airports and drive on any road. Transforming from plane to car takes the pilot less than 30 seconds.
Powered by unleaded automotive gasoline, the Transition can cruise up to 450 miles at over 115 mph, will drive at highway speeds on the road, and fits in a standard household garage. The vehicle has front wheel drive on the road and a propeller for flight. domain-B
“We call ours a `roadable aircraft’ instead of a flying car,” explains Andrew Heafitz, 39, one of the lead developers of the Terrafugia.
“Moller, he’s been working on that (flying car) for a long time. His concept is that you will be able to take off out of your driveway. That’s a much more complex idea than what we’re doing.”
“We’re not trying to replace anyone’s car,” he says. “We’re hoping that this might replace your aircraft.”
The Terrafugia Transition is more like a Cessna that can double as a car, not the other way around.
Heafitz admits the Terrafugia isn’t exactly the most ideal choice for a daily driver.
“You might not want to take it to the supermarket,” he says.
Although, “we are designing it with bumpers, and we’re trying to make the parts that might get scuffed up in parking lots a bit more resilient than your average airplane parts would be.”
The vehicle is expected to cost about $200,000. The group has already received more than 60 orders. Toronto Star
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