Video: Terrafugia's flying car lifts off
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted March 19th 2009 6:31AM
posted March 19th 2009 6:31AM
We've had a lot of fun with Terrafugia over the last year or so, but we weren't exactly holding our breath in anticipation of the Transition's maiden flight. That said, we're definitely psyched to hear that the "roadable aircraft" went airborne in a super-secret test flight that took place in the early hours of March 5th at Plattsburgh International Airport. The vehicle left the ground for a good thirty-seven seconds, traveling some 3,000 feet. At a press conference today, the company's CEO Carl Dietrich remarked that "with this achievement, Terrafugia has set the stage for personal aviation." Which, considering how folks light up I-95 on an average workday, might at first blush seem somewhat unsettling -- but to each his own, right? According to the company, more than forty people have put down the $10,000 deposit for the new aircraft, which -- if all goes according to plan -- will be hitting the road sometime in 2011. Videos after the break.
[Via Slashdot]
[Via Slashdot]
but what's the combined gas mileage?
That thing would so not fit into my garage.
Will it blend?
Its an airplane with 4 wheels. ... whoopty freakin do! A Boeng 747 has 18 wheels, a bar and a strip poll.
I like the sunroof, but this car doesn't have a trunk. FAIL!
The Moller Sky Car just got totally pwned!!!
This thing is the spork of transportation. While the idea sounds cool, a lot of what makes a good car and what makes a good airplane are mutually exclusive. As previous attempts over the last century or so have shown, when you try to combine the two you get something that is not very good at either.
Well looking at that full-up elevator, and fore-planes in maximum lift mode, this thing looks like it has fundamental center of gravity issues- Full back on the stick just to keep it in the air....
Hitting the road? You mean hitting the skies. I would love to feel the wind in my hair on that thing
With that wingspan it's still not street legal.