Terrafugia Launched Next-Gen Flying Car
Although, many people have made attempts to develop futuristic flying cars for the masses but the only company that has been successful is Terrafugia.
It looks more like a roadable aircraft but is quite different from a flying car. It can be accommodated into any normal garage for storage with the help of its folding wings. The wings crease for normal driving and in case you want to fly your car, it just requires a flick of a switch which unfolds the wings and the car ultimately converts into an airplane. The vehicle was displayed at the 2012 New York International Auto show, which ends on April 15 in the New York City.
“We selected the New York International Auto Show to continue the roll-out of the Transition because of the value this show brings in terms of exposure to future owners, investors, and partners,” explained Terrafugia COO Mracek Dietrich.
“The NYIAS is a venue from which we can show the first practical street-legal airplane to the world while meeting the people who will be part of its commercial success in the years to come. New York is the perfect place to accomplish all of this.”
Terrafugia’ Transition fly has a maximum flying speed of 115 mph but it is considerably slower on ground. Its range is approximately 480 miles and it requires minimum 1700 feet to take off.
The company has already received its approval from the concerned authorities and it follows all the FAA Light Sport Aircraft rules. While running on the ground, Transition is a rear-wheel drive but it is motorized with 100 HP Rotax 912ULS engine in air.
This type of vehicle has eventually introduced a completely new mode of transportation, allowing people to drive from their homes to a local airfield, fly to another airport, and in the end to the final destination.