NEW YORK, NY – From Jules Verne to the Jetsons, flying cars have long been part of our collective fantasy. But thanks to five graduates from MIT, that dream has flown out of science-fiction and into reality.
One of the smallest exhibitors at this year's New York auto show, Massachusetts-based Terrafugia Inc. attracted possibly the most attention, with constant crowds of onlookers encircling its display. And why not? With the introduction of their Transition, they've managed to bring to fruition one of mankind's greatest ambitions. The very first fully integrated vehicle to meet both Federal Aviation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards, the Transiton is being hailed as the "world's first flying car.” But Terrafugia is quick to point out that it's actually a street-legal airplane.
Founded in 2006, Terrafugia (Latin for "Escape the Earth") is the brainchild of several aeronautical engineers with a love for flying. Founder and CEO Carl Dietrich admits he's dreamed of flying cars since watching the Jetsons as a child. He can't be the only one: 95 people have already coughed up the $10,000 deposit to reserve one of the US$279,000 Transitions. There's no overlooking the novelty factor, but to some, the Transition makes perfect sense.
The dual-purpose vehicle is specially tailored to recreational pilots — and the wealthy collector in search of the latest exclusive acquisition.
Wings folded tight against its body, at 6 metres long and 2.3 metres wide, the Terrafugia isn't much bigger than a typical minivan.
Imagine: instead of paying costly airport storage fees, the Transition can be stored in any home garage, and — with a sports pilot license — driven to the airport on public roads. Jaws will most certainly drop when it pulls up to the pumps for fuelling: the Terrafugia takes premium gas and reportedly delivers 6.7L/100km on the road — and 18.9L/h while in the air.
Unlike one of James Bond's sexy coupes that magically sprout wings at the touch of a button, the Transition looks more like a tiny, four-wheeled helicopter.
The crowd exhaled in "oohs" and "aahs" as test pilot Phil Meteer climbs into the cockpit and the slender wings slowly unfurl, a process that takes roughly 30 seconds. Inside, the two-seat cabin is an amalgamation of all the controls expected in both car and airplane, including a traditional steering wheel and retractable control stick. In the footwell are two additional pedals for controlling the rudders.
One of the smallest exhibitors at this year's New York auto show, Massachusetts-based Terrafugia Inc. attracted possibly the most attention, with constant crowds of onlookers encircling its display. And why not? With the introduction of their Transition, they've managed to bring to fruition one of mankind's greatest ambitions. The very first fully integrated vehicle to meet both Federal Aviation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards, the Transiton is being hailed as the "world's first flying car.” But Terrafugia is quick to point out that it's actually a street-legal airplane.
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| Photo: Driventofly.com |
Founded in 2006, Terrafugia (Latin for "Escape the Earth") is the brainchild of several aeronautical engineers with a love for flying. Founder and CEO Carl Dietrich admits he's dreamed of flying cars since watching the Jetsons as a child. He can't be the only one: 95 people have already coughed up the $10,000 deposit to reserve one of the US$279,000 Transitions. There's no overlooking the novelty factor, but to some, the Transition makes perfect sense.
The dual-purpose vehicle is specially tailored to recreational pilots — and the wealthy collector in search of the latest exclusive acquisition.
Wings folded tight against its body, at 6 metres long and 2.3 metres wide, the Terrafugia isn't much bigger than a typical minivan.
Imagine: instead of paying costly airport storage fees, the Transition can be stored in any home garage, and — with a sports pilot license — driven to the airport on public roads. Jaws will most certainly drop when it pulls up to the pumps for fuelling: the Terrafugia takes premium gas and reportedly delivers 6.7L/100km on the road — and 18.9L/h while in the air.
Unlike one of James Bond's sexy coupes that magically sprout wings at the touch of a button, the Transition looks more like a tiny, four-wheeled helicopter.
The crowd exhaled in "oohs" and "aahs" as test pilot Phil Meteer climbs into the cockpit and the slender wings slowly unfurl, a process that takes roughly 30 seconds. Inside, the two-seat cabin is an amalgamation of all the controls expected in both car and airplane, including a traditional steering wheel and retractable control stick. In the footwell are two additional pedals for controlling the rudders.
 |
| Photo: Driventofly.com |