Maybe those futurists are about to be correct...Street legal flying car successfully tested

[cobalt1999]

Boston, MA – March 18, 2009: Terrafugia, Inc., a game-changing aircraft company, announced today the first flight of its Transition® Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept. Often referred to as a "flying car", the Transition® is a two-seat aircraft designed to take off and land at local airports and drive on any road. Transforming from plane to car takes the pilot less than 30 seconds.

An historic milestone for aviation, the flight comes after six months of static, road and taxi testing. The Transition® cruises up to 450 mi at over 115 mph, can drive at highway speeds on the road, and fits in a standard household garage. The vehicle has front wheel drive on the road and a propeller for flight. Both modes are powered by unleaded gasoline from a regular gas station.

"This breakthrough changes the world of personal mobility. Travel now becomes a hassle-free integrated land-air experience. It's what aviation enthusiasts have been striving for since 1918," says Carl Dietrich, CEO of Terrafugia.

www.autoblog.com/2009/03/18/terrafugia-transmission-completes-successful-first-flight/


Now where's my jetpack I was promised by the year 2000!

[babylonsister]

1. "Meet George Jetson"...finally! Yay! nt

[originalpckelly]

2. This is no big deal, has been around before.

Stupid design is stupid and tired. Will not do well in poor economy.

[cobalt1999]

5. Not a design that was this advanced though

Meaning, truly street legal & capable, able to use standard gasoline, easily convertible between road/air use, and fits in a standard garage.

There have been many concept vehicles in the past, but none this close to accomplishing all of the above.

[RufusTFirefly]

3. There'll be spandex jackets, one for everyone n/t

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. "It's a steam-power Ten, the frame is out of Glasgow, the tech is Balinese"....

I was born yesterday
When they brought my Kamakiri
When they handed me the keys
It's a steam-power 10
The frame is out of Glasgow
The tech is Balinese
It's not a freeway bullet
Or a bug with monster wheels
It's a total biosphere
The farm in the back
Is hydroponic
Good, fresh things
Every day of the year
Good, fresh things
Every day of the year

With all screens and functions
In sync lock with Tripstar
This cool rolling bubble
Is all set to samba
This route could be trouble
(This route could be trouble)


Love it.

[neverforget]

4. Cool.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Going Straight, Not So Hard

Stable, predictable, and forgiving turning will be very, very, very impressive. If course, since this craft is made here in my bluest of states, I'm sure it will turn like a champ!:patriot:

[krispos42]

8. Great, now the skyway's going to be jammed

We have a hard enough time merging in two dimensions!

[cobalt1999]

10. True. Most drivers can't handle 2 dimensions

Along with their cell phones, texting, satellite radios, etc.

Throw in the after hours bar crowd and the sky will be raining parts.

[krispos42]

13. Example:

[rrneck]

9. Will Milla Jovovich crash through the roof? nt

[RaleighNCDUer]

12. If so,

i want one. please.

[Bolo Boffin]

11. "powered by unleaded gasoline from a regular gas station"

D'oh!

[sakabatou]

14. It's going to be tough

as drivers need two licenses: one for a car and another for an airplane. And then we may need to build a virtual "sky highway."