Terrafugia Transition - The "Flying Car"

[Dustein]

The Terrafugia Transition is basically a light airplane that has four wheels, folding wings, and is street legal. You will not use it for flying around right off the grounds over buildings, but more for driving to the airport, flying to a different airport, and then drive to your final destination. This gives pilots unprecedented flexibility on travelling when you get to your destination/back home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smGmrpn2Vrk

And no, you're NOT going to be able to just take off from whatever road you want, fly over buildings, and land on another road. Like I said before, it's a sport-type airplane. Which means you have to have a sports pilots license, AND a regular drivers license to use it.

The Transition has a cruise speed of 115mph while flying, a maximum road speed of 65mph. While in car-mode, the engine powers the front wheel drive. While flying, it powers the propeller on the back of the aircraft. It uses standard Unleaded fuel that you can get at any gas station. It can carry a pilot, a passenger, and a little extra cargo.

This plane is slated for release sometime next year for nearly $200,000, so anyone who can afford it might want to start looking into it.

Thoughts? Questions?

 

[cotonpk3r]

That just looks to good to be true

To me, it doesn't look like it'll actually fly :\ It just looks like a car with a real fancy shell.

 

[Trip.Fagex]

That's pretty fucking awesome. 200k? Ouch :s

 

[Dustein]

That just looks to good to be true

To me, it doesn't look like it'll actually fly :\ It just looks like a car with a real fancy shell.

Oh, it does fly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EW-GVNTpHc

That's pretty fucking awesome. 200k? Ouch :s

Yeah... I expect that price to drop after awhile. Hey, it's a roadable aircraft, do you expect it to be cheap when first released? Also, a regular sports plane costs about that amount new anyway.

 

[Trip.Fagex]

That is true. How I would love to own that. What if in the future everyone has one of those and the pilot licenses are very easy to get?

 

[Dustein]

Pilot's licenses are not easy to get. You have to pass various tests on aviation, weather, etc, pass some cognitive tests, your eyes have to be good, etc, etc. I'm not quite sure what the exact requirements are for acquiring a sport pilot's license, but I'm sure a simple Google search will give you the answer.

 

[Skillers FTW]

Man thats fucking sexy.
Do want.

Sooner they make The Fifth Element a reality universe the better. <3

 

[volvic]

My dads got a pilot licence, not sure if he has a plane. But this is incredible, and Dustein if my dad can get a pilot licence anyone can HAHA.

I'm pretty sure it will be dangerous, a big bird hitting ur wing could mean game over

 

[Dustein]

My dads got a pilot licence, not sure if he has a plane. But this is incredible, and Dustein if my dad can get a pilot licence anyone can HAHA.

I'm pretty sure it will be dangerous, a big bird hitting ur wing could mean game over

Yes, flying is risky business. Being hit by a bird is just one of many things that can occur in the air. Most pilots know how to react to that sort of thing, especially sport pilots.

Also, if a pilot has to make an emergency landing on the highway in one of these things, they can then just fold their wings and be on their way!