Terrafugia flying car makes its first flight
March 19, 2009 by Matt Brogan
The Terrafugia Transition, whose terror reference makes its name less than ideal, has nonetheless made history today with its first flight of a saleable flying car.
Terrafugia describes its Transition vehicle as a “roadable aircraft” and is pitching it in part as giving private pilots an easy travel alternative when bad weather makes flying a no-no, or simply to avoid having to take a separate car to the airport.
The maiden voyage (duration not specified) took place at the Plattsburgh International Airport in New York, with a retired US Air Force Reserve colonel in the pilot’s seat. The flight followed six months of static, road, and taxi testing.
As a car, the Transition two-seater is designed to be easy on garages and oncoming traffic with foldable wings and runs on regular unleaded fuel.
Cruising speeds of 185km/h are possible, though only once airborne. Expect about 115km/h on the road.
While development still has some way to go, the vehicle is proof the concept has merit with Terrafugia saying it will have its first customer delivery ready for 2011.
Print it: 
What sort of safety do they have while airborne? Parachute comes as standard….
This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen.
How tempting will it be to just drop the wings on a straight stretch of road and rather than going all the way to the airport.
The bank robbers dream car :)
“Parachute comes as standard…. ”
Yikes…wouldn’t fancy jumping from a rear prop aircraft. Not without an ejector seat or floor hatch!!!
Not quite to Marty Mcflys standards, but well done anyway
perhaps driving it by the clock tower with a lightning rod ought to give it a boost
All good and well but how do you go about parallel parking? I don’t think a car like this has any commercial value. Unless your last name is Jetson.
This is one car that really doesnt need to be mande but was anyway. This makes the X6 look relevant but anyway stupid american celebs will probably go straight for one. Oh and btw the jetsons have already preordered theirs.
Terra means earth.
“This is one car that really doesnt need to be mande”
I was thinking, what is the market for this flying car. Clearly not in the 4.0L/100Km category :) But this will appeal to those you want a cheap plane. I’ve done some flying and even a Cessna 172 (the other plane in the shot) is going to set you back $100-$200 ph to rent or a cool $300K to buy new. Then if you own one you go to pay parking fees etc!
So imagine a plane small enough you can keep in your garage, you drive to the airfield, fly to the next airfield then drive again to your destination. This is not a day to day commute thing, is more a enjoyment of flying thing on the cheap. Assuming the list price is not more expensive than a Cessna in the first place.
“Not quite to Marty Mcflys standards, but well done anyway ”
Andrew you going to have to wait for Opel to release their flying car….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7f1feSjDks