First flight of car-to-plane-to-car-again concept vehicle
Posted by Emma Torry on March 20, 2009 at 04:52 PM
(Relaxnews)
A US-based aircraft company has officially launched a two-seat vehicle that can transform from a plane into a small car in less than 30 seconds, according to a press release published Wednesday, March 18.
Terrafugia - Latin for 'escape from ground' - announced the successful flight and landing of its model plane/car at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, NY, on Wednesday, March 18, after the vehicle had already passed six months of road tests.
The 'Transition,' as the vehicle's been baptized, can fold up from a 27' 6" (8.17m) wingspan to a 80" (approximately 2m) wide car, small enough to be driven on any road, at the press of a button from within the cockpit.
It has a flying range of 450 miles (724 km) at more than 115 mph (185 kmh), drive "highway speeds"- that is, 65mph to 70 mph (105kmh to 112kmh) - on the road, and is small enough to fit into a standard household garage.
It also comes with cargo space to fit a pair of golf clubs and a 'full-vehicle parachute,' according to the company press release.
Both the car and plane modes are powered by unleaded gasoline available at most any gas-station.
The vehicle is classed as a Light Sport Aircraft, so a Sport Pilot license will be required to fly it.
The concept has still to undergo some more advanced flights and drive testing before a pre-production prototype is finally built and certified.
At present, the company is accepting $10,000 refundable pre-orders. The anticipated price for the production model is $194,000.
For more information, please see www.terrafugia.com
