Terrafugia: Transition News
03-19-2009, 06:45 PM
#1
The sizzle in the Steak
Thread Starter
Terrafugia: Transition News
Aircraft maker Terrafugia has successfully flown its "flying car," taking the vehicle a step closer to becoming commercially available.
Officially called the Transition Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept, the two-seat aircraft had its maiden flight March 5 at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, N.Y. It was a runway flight, which means the aircraft only flew above the runway. The fight from takeoff to landing lasted only about 30 seconds.
Nevertheless, Terrafugia said the test proved that the Transition is ready for more advanced flying. Test pilot Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Phil Meteer said in a video on the company's Web site that the flight was smooth and the aircraft performed well.
"Stability is always a question on your first flight," Meteer said. "It was just rock solid."
Meteer said the Transition handled like a normal plane and there were no surprises. "It was remarkable for being unremarkable," he said. "It just flew like a really nice airplane."
The four-wheel aircraft resembles a Volkswagen Beetle with wings and a propeller in the back. The Transition is capable of flying 450 miles at more than 115 mph. On the road, the front-wheel drive vehicle runs on unleaded gasoline, has a top speed of 65 mph and gets 30 miles to the gallon.
The Transition takes less than 30 seconds to transform from plane to car, which essentially is accomplished by folding the wings. In the car position the vehicle is 6 feet 9 inches tall, 80 inches wide, and 18 feet 9 inches long, and fits into a standard house garage.
Categorized as a light sport aircraft, buyers will need a sport pilot license to fly the Transition legally. The vehicle is meant to give pilots a "convenient ground transportation option."
"Travel now becomes a hassle-free integrated land-air experience," Carl Dietrich, chief executive of Terrafugia, said in a statement.
Terrafugia has not said when the flying car will be available, but is taking orders. Would-be buyers will have to put up a $10,000 deposit. The Transition is expected to cost $194,000.
Terrafugia has a video gallery of the first flight on its Web site.
Officially called the Transition Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept, the two-seat aircraft had its maiden flight March 5 at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, N.Y. It was a runway flight, which means the aircraft only flew above the runway. The fight from takeoff to landing lasted only about 30 seconds.
Nevertheless, Terrafugia said the test proved that the Transition is ready for more advanced flying. Test pilot Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Phil Meteer said in a video on the company's Web site that the flight was smooth and the aircraft performed well.
"Stability is always a question on your first flight," Meteer said. "It was just rock solid."
Meteer said the Transition handled like a normal plane and there were no surprises. "It was remarkable for being unremarkable," he said. "It just flew like a really nice airplane."
The four-wheel aircraft resembles a Volkswagen Beetle with wings and a propeller in the back. The Transition is capable of flying 450 miles at more than 115 mph. On the road, the front-wheel drive vehicle runs on unleaded gasoline, has a top speed of 65 mph and gets 30 miles to the gallon.
The Transition takes less than 30 seconds to transform from plane to car, which essentially is accomplished by folding the wings. In the car position the vehicle is 6 feet 9 inches tall, 80 inches wide, and 18 feet 9 inches long, and fits into a standard house garage.
Categorized as a light sport aircraft, buyers will need a sport pilot license to fly the Transition legally. The vehicle is meant to give pilots a "convenient ground transportation option."
"Travel now becomes a hassle-free integrated land-air experience," Carl Dietrich, chief executive of Terrafugia, said in a statement.
Terrafugia has not said when the flying car will be available, but is taking orders. Would-be buyers will have to put up a $10,000 deposit. The Transition is expected to cost $194,000.
Terrafugia has a video gallery of the first flight on its Web site.
03-19-2009, 06:47 PM
#2
The sizzle in the Steak
Thread Starter
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03-19-2009, 06:50 PM
#3
The sizzle in the Steak
Thread Starter
Aircraft get thrown into cartalk?
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03-20-2009, 02:43 PM
#13
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03-20-2009, 04:57 PM
#14
The sizzle in the Steak
Thread Starter
:wink:
The four-wheel aircraft resembles a Volkswagen Beetle with wings and a propeller in the back. The Transition is capable of flying 450 miles at more than 115 mph. On the road, the front-wheel drive vehicle runs on unleaded gasoline, has a top speed of 65 mph and gets 30 miles to the gallon.
The Transition takes less than 30 seconds to transform from plane to car, which essentially is accomplished by folding the wings. In the car position the vehicle is 6 feet 9 inches tall, 80 inches wide, and 18 feet 9 inches long, and fits into a standard house garage.
Categorized as a light sport aircraft, buyers will need a sport pilot license to fly the Transition legally. The vehicle is meant to give pilots a "convenient ground transportation option."
The Transition takes less than 30 seconds to transform from plane to car, which essentially is accomplished by folding the wings. In the car position the vehicle is 6 feet 9 inches tall, 80 inches wide, and 18 feet 9 inches long, and fits into a standard house garage.
Categorized as a light sport aircraft, buyers will need a sport pilot license to fly the Transition legally. The vehicle is meant to give pilots a "convenient ground transportation option."
03-20-2009, 07:36 PM
#17
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
Nice concept. Now, crashes would suck. No "it'll buff out" jokes, as the flyer would be dead.
I think this would have the same ceiling as a Cessna. Not sure, though.
I think this would have the same ceiling as a Cessna. Not sure, though.
03-22-2009, 04:27 AM
#19
this has been done before...in the 40's or 50's and the skycar of the 80's
03-27-2009, 12:17 AM
#21
Senior Moderator
2009 Terrafugia Transition
03-27-2009, 12:18 AM
#22
Senior Moderator
Press release...
Every pilot faces uncertain weather, rising costs, and ground transportation hassles on each end of the flight. The Transition® combines the unique convenience of being able to fold its wings with the ability to drive on any surface road in a modern personal airplane platform. Stowing the wings for road use and deploying them for flight at the airport is activated from inside the cockpit. This unique functionality addresses head-on the issues faced by today’s Private and Sport Pilots.
Terrafugia’s award-winning MIT-trained engineers have been advancing the state-of-the-art in personal aircraft since 2006. Now you can streamline your flying experience with the revolutionary integration of personal land and air travel made possible by the Transition® Roadable Aircraft.
Performance
Cruise: 100 kts (115 mph)
Rotate: 70 kts (80 mph)
Stall: 45 kts (51 mph)
Range: 400nm (460 mi)
Takeoff over 50' obstacle: 1700' Fuel burn: 5 gph
Fuel tank: 20 gallons
Useful Load: 430 lbs
On road: 30 mpg, highway speeds
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
Convenience
Front wheel drive on the ground
Automotive-style entry and exit
Two place, side by side
Automated electromechanical folding wing
No trailer or hangar needed
Cargo area holds skis, fishing poles or golf clubs
Safety
Drive in case of inclement weather
Proven 100 hp Rotax 912S engine
Full vehicle parachute available
Modern glass avionics
Automotive crash safety features
Dimensions
Folded: 6’ 9” tall 80” wide 18’ 9” long
Airplane: 6’ 3” tall 19’ 2” long
Wingspan: 27’ 6”
Cockpit: 51” at the shoulder
Training
Become a Sport Pilot in as little as 20 hours of flight time in a Transition®-specific course. For existing pilots, get comfortable quickly with the familiarization training included with every Transition® delivery.
Terrafugia’s award-winning MIT-trained engineers have been advancing the state-of-the-art in personal aircraft since 2006. Now you can streamline your flying experience with the revolutionary integration of personal land and air travel made possible by the Transition® Roadable Aircraft.
Performance
Cruise: 100 kts (115 mph)
Rotate: 70 kts (80 mph)
Stall: 45 kts (51 mph)
Range: 400nm (460 mi)
Takeoff over 50' obstacle: 1700' Fuel burn: 5 gph
Fuel tank: 20 gallons
Useful Load: 430 lbs
On road: 30 mpg, highway speeds
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
Convenience
Front wheel drive on the ground
Automotive-style entry and exit
Two place, side by side
Automated electromechanical folding wing
No trailer or hangar needed
Cargo area holds skis, fishing poles or golf clubs
Safety
Drive in case of inclement weather
Proven 100 hp Rotax 912S engine
Full vehicle parachute available
Modern glass avionics
Automotive crash safety features
Dimensions
Folded: 6’ 9” tall 80” wide 18’ 9” long
Airplane: 6’ 3” tall 19’ 2” long
Wingspan: 27’ 6”
Cockpit: 51” at the shoulder
Training
Become a Sport Pilot in as little as 20 hours of flight time in a Transition®-specific course. For existing pilots, get comfortable quickly with the familiarization training included with every Transition® delivery.
03-27-2009, 10:16 AM
#25
The sizzle in the Steak
Thread Starter
^^ ...because you can drive it on the road perhaps 
01-23-2014, 08:13 AM
#27
Race Director
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/world...d-sale-2998745
The first flying cars are set to go on sale to the public as early as 2015.
Massachusetts-based manufacturer Terrafugia has announced its Transition design - part sedan, part private jet with two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up.
It can be driven like a car and there are also plans for a TF-X model that will be small enough to fit in a garage and won’t need a runway for take off.
Terrafugia said it plans to have a flying car in the air within two years.
The company is currently developing two 'roadable aircrafts'. The Transition will be a plane with fold-up wings which can be driven to the airport and the TF-X, which can vertically take off and land in your driveway.
Terrafugia CEO Carl Dietric said: "The potential benefit to humanity of a practical flying car is tremendous."
The Transition will be the first commercially available flying car from Terrafugia and is closer to a novel airplane than a flying car.
It is designed to be kept in a garage but must be driven to an airport for takeoff and landing.
The Transition is classified as a Light Sport Aircraft and requires a sport pilot certificate.
And with a price tag of $279,000 it will only be in the reach of a select few.
However, the TF-X will be a vertical take-off and landing vehicle - just like a helicopter.
Terrafugia insists the TF-X will be simple to drive requiring only five hours tuition to master.
Most of the TF-X's operation will be performed by autopilot meaning the operator can sit back and let the car fly itself.
All you need to do is tell a computer where you want to go and it will automatically monitor weather, other aircraft and protected airspace.
Safety is also paramount. For example, if the battery runs low the car lands itself in the nearest landing area.
If power completely shuts down, the TF-X uses a parachute to land.
Terrafugia estimates development of the TF-X flying car will take eight to 12 years.
Massachusetts-based manufacturer Terrafugia has announced its Transition design - part sedan, part private jet with two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up.
It can be driven like a car and there are also plans for a TF-X model that will be small enough to fit in a garage and won’t need a runway for take off.
Terrafugia said it plans to have a flying car in the air within two years.
The company is currently developing two 'roadable aircrafts'. The Transition will be a plane with fold-up wings which can be driven to the airport and the TF-X, which can vertically take off and land in your driveway.
Terrafugia CEO Carl Dietric said: "The potential benefit to humanity of a practical flying car is tremendous."
The Transition will be the first commercially available flying car from Terrafugia and is closer to a novel airplane than a flying car.
It is designed to be kept in a garage but must be driven to an airport for takeoff and landing.
The Transition is classified as a Light Sport Aircraft and requires a sport pilot certificate.
And with a price tag of $279,000 it will only be in the reach of a select few.
However, the TF-X will be a vertical take-off and landing vehicle - just like a helicopter.
Terrafugia insists the TF-X will be simple to drive requiring only five hours tuition to master.
Most of the TF-X's operation will be performed by autopilot meaning the operator can sit back and let the car fly itself.
All you need to do is tell a computer where you want to go and it will automatically monitor weather, other aircraft and protected airspace.
Safety is also paramount. For example, if the battery runs low the car lands itself in the nearest landing area.
If power completely shuts down, the TF-X uses a parachute to land.
Terrafugia estimates development of the TF-X flying car will take eight to 12 years.
01-23-2014, 01:14 PM
#30
Moderator
01-23-2014, 07:06 PM
#31
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Ya' know....for a minute, I was thinking........
......but then, no.
......but then, no.
11-16-2017, 06:23 AM
#32
Race Director
Tech companies, at least ones that aren't convinced that underground tunnels are the future, are rushing to buy flying car companies lest they get left behind when the "Uber, but with flying cars" future gets here. This month they were joined by an actual automaker as Volvo and Lotus parent company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group purchased U.S.-based flying car developer Terrafugia, which you may remember from a few years ago for the Terrafugia Transition, a type of light, propeller-driven plane that can also be driven on the road.
The impetus for Geely's purchase of the company (aside from the whole flying car revolution that's supposed to get here any minute) is Terrafugia's plan to market the first flying car less than two years from now. The craft will essentially be a small plane with folding wings that can also be driven on the street -- hence the need for folding wings. This model will require a regular landing strip to take off and land.
But a few years beyond that, Terrafugia hopes to market a car-shaped vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) craft dubbed TF-X with two tilt-rotor engines mounted on short wings that will be able to fold out from the main body. Planned to be fully electric, the TF-X will be able to take off and land vertically from virtually any solid surface. It is this VTOL car that will, in theory, compete with other small VTOL craft, some of which will essentially be scaled-up drones that can carry passengers, expected to be on the market at that point in time as various tech giants aim to be the first to bring an Uber-like experience to those too impatient to get across town by car.
"This is a tremendously exciting sector, and we believe that Terrafugia is ideally positioned to change mobility as we currently understand it and herald the development of a new industry in doing so," said Geely founder and chairman Li Shufu. "Our investment in the company reflects our shared belief in their vision, and we are committed to extending our full support to Terrafugia, leveraging the synergies provided by our international operations and track record of innovation, to make the flying car a reality."
Geely's purchase of Terrafugia shrinks the number of flying-car startups that don't belong to a larger company, but it doesn't quite answer larger questions about market needs and public acceptance of small VTOL craft. Terrafugia is more realistic than most such startups for potential demand for their future products, pointing out that there will certainly be better-performing planes and better-performing cars out there, essentially targeting the demographic that needs the flexibility "to change plans at any point.""The average pilot spends 30 minutes stopped on the ground between parking his/her car at the airport and finally taking off," Terrafugia says in its mission statement, referencing its upcoming folding-wing car-plane. "With the Transition, that stopped time is just the 40-second conversion, plus the preflight inspection. The Transition will beat high-performance GA (general aviation) aircraft on decision-to-destination metrics for average trips up to almost 200 miles because the user will spend less time stopped on the ground planning a flight, shuffling flight bags and warming up the aircraft."
We're hopeful that there will be a better argument and a wider demographic out there for these craft than people who are simply too busy or impatient to spend 30 minutes getting out of their car and into their Cessna. Up until now, owners of small private planes were (usually) able to afford a car or two for driving to the store and were not particularly upset that their Buick Rendezvous was not able to do both.
But at least Terrafugia is not envisioning something as potentially unreliable as a remotely piloted quad-rotor drone with passengers in it. At least not for now.
Read more: Volvo and Lotus owner Geely buys Terrafugia in a race to market flying car
The impetus for Geely's purchase of the company (aside from the whole flying car revolution that's supposed to get here any minute) is Terrafugia's plan to market the first flying car less than two years from now. The craft will essentially be a small plane with folding wings that can also be driven on the street -- hence the need for folding wings. This model will require a regular landing strip to take off and land.
But a few years beyond that, Terrafugia hopes to market a car-shaped vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) craft dubbed TF-X with two tilt-rotor engines mounted on short wings that will be able to fold out from the main body. Planned to be fully electric, the TF-X will be able to take off and land vertically from virtually any solid surface. It is this VTOL car that will, in theory, compete with other small VTOL craft, some of which will essentially be scaled-up drones that can carry passengers, expected to be on the market at that point in time as various tech giants aim to be the first to bring an Uber-like experience to those too impatient to get across town by car.
"This is a tremendously exciting sector, and we believe that Terrafugia is ideally positioned to change mobility as we currently understand it and herald the development of a new industry in doing so," said Geely founder and chairman Li Shufu. "Our investment in the company reflects our shared belief in their vision, and we are committed to extending our full support to Terrafugia, leveraging the synergies provided by our international operations and track record of innovation, to make the flying car a reality."
Geely's purchase of Terrafugia shrinks the number of flying-car startups that don't belong to a larger company, but it doesn't quite answer larger questions about market needs and public acceptance of small VTOL craft. Terrafugia is more realistic than most such startups for potential demand for their future products, pointing out that there will certainly be better-performing planes and better-performing cars out there, essentially targeting the demographic that needs the flexibility "to change plans at any point.""The average pilot spends 30 minutes stopped on the ground between parking his/her car at the airport and finally taking off," Terrafugia says in its mission statement, referencing its upcoming folding-wing car-plane. "With the Transition, that stopped time is just the 40-second conversion, plus the preflight inspection. The Transition will beat high-performance GA (general aviation) aircraft on decision-to-destination metrics for average trips up to almost 200 miles because the user will spend less time stopped on the ground planning a flight, shuffling flight bags and warming up the aircraft."
We're hopeful that there will be a better argument and a wider demographic out there for these craft than people who are simply too busy or impatient to spend 30 minutes getting out of their car and into their Cessna. Up until now, owners of small private planes were (usually) able to afford a car or two for driving to the store and were not particularly upset that their Buick Rendezvous was not able to do both.
But at least Terrafugia is not envisioning something as potentially unreliable as a remotely piloted quad-rotor drone with passengers in it. At least not for now.
Read more: Volvo and Lotus owner Geely buys Terrafugia in a race to market flying car
10-16-2018, 08:37 AM
#33
Race Director
WOBURN, Mass., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Terrafugia Inc, a leading aviation company, announced today the launch of Terrafugia 2.0 – the next chapter in Terrafugia's development. This includes an updated corporate strategy and new visual assets showcasing Terrafugia as a global leader in transportation technologies.
The rebrand comes on the heels of continuing global expansion and the company's announcement to begin production of its flying car, the Transition, in 2019.
"Over the past 12 years we've created a strong community that has embraced our innovative technology. As we continue to grow, moving our position and fostering relationships, it is time to modernize the Terrafugia brand to represent our history, present and new future direction," said Håkan Apell, Director of Business Development and Marketing. "We are at a pivotal stage where our renewed brand will help relay our message as a global and strategic leader revolutionizing mobility."
The new logo, which can be viewed as a "T," the first letter in the company's name, frames Terrafugia as an arrow moving upwards - literally and figuratively - and draws from the founding product, the Transition, characterized by its wing folding technology. The new visual assets are accompanied by a revamped mission, vision and corporate strategy. All of these assets will soon be available on the Terrafugia website.
In conjunction with the new visual identity, comes a sense of urgency to bring the Terrafugia Transition vehicle to customers as the first flying car and to begin taking orders. Customers can now put down a deposit with a signed Letter of Intent to secure their place in line. This comes as demand for the vehicle continues to grow and Terrafugia transforms itself as a company ready to deliver to customers.
"The new brand is not only visually changing the face of the company, but it also comes with a new mindset as we advance ourselves as aviation pioneers across B2B and B2C segments," said CEO Chris Jaran. "This means starting to take orders for the Transition, putting our eVTOL designs out for everyone to see, continuing to grow and expand globally and re-defining how Terrafugia will play a role in all of this."
As Terrafugia enters this next phase in its history, it brings 12 years of aviation and engineering expertise to eVTOL aircraft. The TF-2 concept, in development at the R&D facility in California, features an Innovative 3-part transportation system. This includes an air vehicle, cabin and ground vehicle, offering seamless door-to-door transportation for passengers and cargo operators. This eVTOL aircraft is another step Terrafugia is taking to position itself ahead of the aviation community in the race to lead the eVTOL market.
One of the TF-2 concept designs, along with the new branding, will be released at the National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) on October 16 - 18, 2018 in Orlando, FL at Booth #3134. A prototype of the Terrafugia Transition vehicle will be on display at the event in ISD_06. For more information,
The rebrand comes on the heels of continuing global expansion and the company's announcement to begin production of its flying car, the Transition, in 2019.
"Over the past 12 years we've created a strong community that has embraced our innovative technology. As we continue to grow, moving our position and fostering relationships, it is time to modernize the Terrafugia brand to represent our history, present and new future direction," said Håkan Apell, Director of Business Development and Marketing. "We are at a pivotal stage where our renewed brand will help relay our message as a global and strategic leader revolutionizing mobility."
The new logo, which can be viewed as a "T," the first letter in the company's name, frames Terrafugia as an arrow moving upwards - literally and figuratively - and draws from the founding product, the Transition, characterized by its wing folding technology. The new visual assets are accompanied by a revamped mission, vision and corporate strategy. All of these assets will soon be available on the Terrafugia website.
In conjunction with the new visual identity, comes a sense of urgency to bring the Terrafugia Transition vehicle to customers as the first flying car and to begin taking orders. Customers can now put down a deposit with a signed Letter of Intent to secure their place in line. This comes as demand for the vehicle continues to grow and Terrafugia transforms itself as a company ready to deliver to customers.
"The new brand is not only visually changing the face of the company, but it also comes with a new mindset as we advance ourselves as aviation pioneers across B2B and B2C segments," said CEO Chris Jaran. "This means starting to take orders for the Transition, putting our eVTOL designs out for everyone to see, continuing to grow and expand globally and re-defining how Terrafugia will play a role in all of this."
As Terrafugia enters this next phase in its history, it brings 12 years of aviation and engineering expertise to eVTOL aircraft. The TF-2 concept, in development at the R&D facility in California, features an Innovative 3-part transportation system. This includes an air vehicle, cabin and ground vehicle, offering seamless door-to-door transportation for passengers and cargo operators. This eVTOL aircraft is another step Terrafugia is taking to position itself ahead of the aviation community in the race to lead the eVTOL market.
One of the TF-2 concept designs, along with the new branding, will be released at the National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) on October 16 - 18, 2018 in Orlando, FL at Booth #3134. A prototype of the Terrafugia Transition vehicle will be on display at the event in ISD_06. For more information,
02-16-2021, 05:04 AM
#35
Race Director
The dream of a flying car just got one step closer to reality, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted approval to a hybrid ground-air vehicle that can soar at speeds of 100 mph.
The Terrafugia Transition received a Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate from the agency, giving it the green light for takeoff.
A flight-only version of the craft is now available to pilots and flight schools, though it will be another year or so before its car components are 'street legal' - it still needs to meet road safety standards.ore
Ultimately, drivers will be able to convert from flying to driving in less than a minute, taking off and landing in small airports or the highway.Terrafugia hopes to have production and approvals on the two-seat hybrid complete for 2022, but those interested in taking it for a spin will need both a driver's license and a sport pilot's certificate.
The FAA has given approval to Terrafugia's Transition, a 'flying car' that can fly at speeds of 100 mph and an altitude of 10,000 feet. Flight-only models are now available, with full air-land version expected in 2022Chinese-owned Terrafugia has been overly optimistic about delivering a 'roadable aircraft,' a small plane with retractable wings that can both drive on roads and take to the open sky.
It first promised the Transition would be for sale in 2015, then 2018 and then 2019.
But Terrafugia general manager Kevin Colburn praised his team's efforts during 'an extremely challenging pandemic year.'
'Our team remained focused, improved our quality system, completed the critical aspects of the design, built the vehicle, completed 80 days of flight testing, delivered 150 technical documents and successfully passed the FAA audit,' Colburn said.
The Transition has a 27-foot-wide wingspan, but its wings fold up for easy story in a one-car garage. Terrafugia envisions owners landing at a small airport or a stretch of highway and then driving their vehicle home
'This is a major accomplishment that builds momentum in executing our mission to deliver the world's first practical flying car.'
The Terrafugia Transition was recently granted a Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate from the FAA.
The aircraft, which weighs roughly 1,300 pounds, has fixed landing gear and fold-out wings.
It can reach speeds of 100mph and an altitude of about 10,000 feet.
Owners will need both a driver's license and a sport pilot's certificate.
Powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912iS Sport fuel-injected engine, the Transition has a max flight speed of 100 mph and a range of about 400 miles, with an altitude of 10,000 feet.
The plane engine can run on either premium gasoline or 100LL airplane fuel, while the car is powered by a hybrid-electric motor.
Standard features include four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, a rigid carbon fiber safety cage and an airframe parachute.
The vehicle weighs roughly 1,300 pounds and has fixed landing gear and a 27-foot-wide wingspan.
The wings actually fold up to allow for easy storage in a single-car garage.
Terrafugia envisions owners landing their Transition at a small airport or a stretch of highway and then driving it home.
That differs from flying car prototypes developed by Uber, Kitty Hawk, BMW and others, which involve the vehicles taking up commercial air space.
The vehicle converts from flying to driving in under a minute, according to Terrafugia.
In 2018, the two-seat Transition was priced at $400,000, NBC News reported.
Terrafugia is developing several models of flying car, including the four-person TF-X, a four-seat hybrid electric with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
The TF-X is slated to be semi-autonomous, with computer controls that will allow passengers to simply type in their destination.
It will be capable of automatically avoiding air traffic, bad weather and restricted airspace.
Terrafugia was acquired by Chinese-owned Geely, the parent company of Volvo, in 2017.
The Terrafugia Transition received a Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate from the agency, giving it the green light for takeoff.
A flight-only version of the craft is now available to pilots and flight schools, though it will be another year or so before its car components are 'street legal' - it still needs to meet road safety standards.ore
Ultimately, drivers will be able to convert from flying to driving in less than a minute, taking off and landing in small airports or the highway.Terrafugia hopes to have production and approvals on the two-seat hybrid complete for 2022, but those interested in taking it for a spin will need both a driver's license and a sport pilot's certificate.
The FAA has given approval to Terrafugia's Transition, a 'flying car' that can fly at speeds of 100 mph and an altitude of 10,000 feet. Flight-only models are now available, with full air-land version expected in 2022Chinese-owned Terrafugia has been overly optimistic about delivering a 'roadable aircraft,' a small plane with retractable wings that can both drive on roads and take to the open sky.
It first promised the Transition would be for sale in 2015, then 2018 and then 2019.
But Terrafugia general manager Kevin Colburn praised his team's efforts during 'an extremely challenging pandemic year.'
'Our team remained focused, improved our quality system, completed the critical aspects of the design, built the vehicle, completed 80 days of flight testing, delivered 150 technical documents and successfully passed the FAA audit,' Colburn said.
The Transition has a 27-foot-wide wingspan, but its wings fold up for easy story in a one-car garage. Terrafugia envisions owners landing at a small airport or a stretch of highway and then driving their vehicle home
'This is a major accomplishment that builds momentum in executing our mission to deliver the world's first practical flying car.'
The Terrafugia Transition was recently granted a Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate from the FAA.
The aircraft, which weighs roughly 1,300 pounds, has fixed landing gear and fold-out wings.
It can reach speeds of 100mph and an altitude of about 10,000 feet.
Owners will need both a driver's license and a sport pilot's certificate.
Powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912iS Sport fuel-injected engine, the Transition has a max flight speed of 100 mph and a range of about 400 miles, with an altitude of 10,000 feet.
The plane engine can run on either premium gasoline or 100LL airplane fuel, while the car is powered by a hybrid-electric motor.
Standard features include four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, a rigid carbon fiber safety cage and an airframe parachute.
The vehicle weighs roughly 1,300 pounds and has fixed landing gear and a 27-foot-wide wingspan.
The wings actually fold up to allow for easy storage in a single-car garage.
Terrafugia envisions owners landing their Transition at a small airport or a stretch of highway and then driving it home.
That differs from flying car prototypes developed by Uber, Kitty Hawk, BMW and others, which involve the vehicles taking up commercial air space.
The vehicle converts from flying to driving in under a minute, according to Terrafugia.
In 2018, the two-seat Transition was priced at $400,000, NBC News reported.
Terrafugia is developing several models of flying car, including the four-person TF-X, a four-seat hybrid electric with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
The TF-X is slated to be semi-autonomous, with computer controls that will allow passengers to simply type in their destination.
It will be capable of automatically avoiding air traffic, bad weather and restricted airspace.
Terrafugia was acquired by Chinese-owned Geely, the parent company of Volvo, in 2017.
02-16-2021, 09:10 AM
#36
Moderator
Ultimately, drivers will be able to convert from flying to driving in less than a minute, taking off and landing in small airports or the highway.
Interesting that it's a LSA, shorter path to getting a LSA license, compared to a private pilot.
02-19-2021, 09:35 PM
#37
Race Director
US-based flying car manufacturer Terrafugia will reportedly shut down US operations after it pulled the plug on local development of its two-seater Transition aircraft.
The company, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, is said to have laid off between 80 and 100 people, as Forbes reported on 16 February. It has also apparently moved intellectual property and further development work of Transition to China.
Terrafugia did not respond to a request for comment, and separate emails to several company executives also went unanswered.
Source: Terrafugia
Terrafugia shuts down US operations
Terrafugia was founded in 2006 by Carl and Anna Dietrich together with three other Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates. It was acquired in late 2017 by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which also owns automotive manufacturers Lotus and Volvo Cars.
In 2019, the company’s founders left, after Geely decided to replace most of Terrafugia’s senior leadership team with staff based in China.
The deal with Geely had promised extra financial and industrial muscle to help bring the Transition flying car to market.
That design received a special light sport aircraft airworthiness certificate from the FAA just last month. The company said on 26 January that it was aiming for the aircraft to be ”legal both in the sky and on local roads in 2022”.
The company, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, is said to have laid off between 80 and 100 people, as Forbes reported on 16 February. It has also apparently moved intellectual property and further development work of Transition to China.
Terrafugia did not respond to a request for comment, and separate emails to several company executives also went unanswered.
Source: Terrafugia
Terrafugia shuts down US operations
Terrafugia was founded in 2006 by Carl and Anna Dietrich together with three other Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates. It was acquired in late 2017 by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which also owns automotive manufacturers Lotus and Volvo Cars.
In 2019, the company’s founders left, after Geely decided to replace most of Terrafugia’s senior leadership team with staff based in China.
The deal with Geely had promised extra financial and industrial muscle to help bring the Transition flying car to market.
That design received a special light sport aircraft airworthiness certificate from the FAA just last month. The company said on 26 January that it was aiming for the aircraft to be ”legal both in the sky and on local roads in 2022”.
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