FAA gives approval for flying car (link to video)

[Sulako]

Click on the link for flying car video goodness...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/new ... ities.html

Terrafugia Transition 'flying car' gets go-ahead from US air authorities

The Terrafugia Transition, a light aircraft that can convert into a road-legal automobile, is to go into production after being given a special weight exemption by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

The Transition was designed as a "light sport" aircraft, the smallest kind of private aeroplane under FAA classification, with a maximum weight of 1,320lb. But the manufacturers found it impossible to fit the safety features - airbags, crumple zones and roll cage, for instance - that are required for road vehicles into that weight.

Uniquely, however, the FAA has granted the Transition an exemption - allowing it to be classified as a light sport aircraft despite being 120lb over the limit.

Light sport aircraft licences require just 20 hours' flying time, making them much easier to obtain than full private licences.

The two-seater Transition can use its front-wheel drive on roads at ordinary highway speeds, with wings folded, at a respectable 30 miles per gallon. Once it has arrived at a suitable take-off spot - an airport, or adequately sized piece of flat private land - it can fold down the wings, engage its rear-facing propellor, and take off. The folding wings are electrically powered.

Its cruising speed in the air is 115mph, it has a range of 460 miles, and it can carry 450lb. It requires a 1,700-foot (one-third of a mile) runway to take off and can fit in a standard garage.

Terrafugia says that one of the major advantages of the Transition over ordinary light aircraft is safety - in the event of inclement weather, it can simply drive home instead of either being grounded or flying in unsafe conditions.

The company says that 70 people have ordered the car, leaving a $10,000 (£6,650) deposit each. The car is expected to retail at $194,000 (£129,000). Deposits are held in escrow, meaning that should the company go bankrupt before delivery, the money will be refunded.

[Brewguy]

Looks like fun, however:
- What will the insurance companies think (both auto & aviation coverage)?; and
- What kind of fuel would you put in it? Most automotive fuel these days has additives, ethanol, etc. I seem to recall that even if you have a Mogas STC, you have to find fuel that doesn't have ethanol in it.

[IBPilot]

That plane-car thing is absolutely amazing

LoL -- I guess if the CofA were to ever be voided, it wouldn't matter cause you would just drive the plane to work. If traffic was driving you insane, just pop out the wings and get the hell out of there.

I think I'm gonna get one.

But some questions-
1) Would they still have conventional gas/brake pedals or a throttle for the driving mode (cause that would be awesome)
2) Would a transportation machine like this one ACTUALLY fit on a standard road without having to use two lanes??

[KAG]

I see a very funny version of Canada's worst driver down the road.

[HORUNNER]

Ok so it does look cool but

Imagine your out at the mall/grocrey store/ any parking lot really and you get a fender bender your even parked and you find it damaged now what? Are you airworthy?

And with the way small dings are soo costly now with the added air portion of the car how much more will it be to fix.

[Invertago]

Great, except every time you land at some strange airport you have to find someone with a gate key to let you out to the road or back in later. Also no doubt someone will spread their wings on the highway to take off then clip some vehicle or pole. I love new technology, but this is best left for the fiction isle. Just get an amphibian aircraft, half boat half car, proven and you can park at the dock.

[Brewguy]

I never even thought of a fender bender .... damn, that'd get real expensive, real fast wouldn't it?

[iflyforpie]

Just get an amphibian aircraft, half boat half car, proven and you can park at the dock.

Yup, not a fish to water or a bird to the air, and pretty lousy on land too.

Compromise compromise compromise.

[crazy_aviator]

life is a compromise, let the dreamers dream on let the eagle inventors fly above the turkeys!

[pilotidentity]

Who wouldn't want one?

[mbav8r]

Coming soon, the new doctor killer, the insurance alone would be prohibitive to most I would think. The fender bender was my first thought aswell.

[4hrstovegas]

I don't think the idea is to take this thing to the grocery store for milk on a regular basis. Makes hangar fees non-existent, which could offset insurance. How amazing, though, to flight plan at home, drive to the airport, take-off, put the thing in a garage at destination and pick up a rental. No tranfering bags, airport/Navcanada fees, etc. What next??

[Expat]

Super for cottage country! And for going shopping at Costco in Sudbury!

[clip on tie with hat]

I wonder if Thule has a fit kit for that?

[RFlyer]

Here's an update, released sometime this month - runs just over 9 minutes and is a nice recap of the program with some footage of the car/plane.

http://www.ted.com/talks/anna_mracek_di ... +-+Site%29

[FL500]

I know whats going on my Christmas list to Santa this year LoL