transition® in flight! image courtesy of terrafugia

massachusetts game-changing aircraft company terrafugia, inc., has received approval to have their ‘transition®’ roadable flying car mass produced. the two-seater aircraft is designed to take off and land at local airports, but also has the capabilities to drive on any road. transforming the plane to car mode takes the pilot less than a 30 second transition. transition® has the ability to cruise up to 450 mi at over 115 mph, drive at highway speeds on the road and fit within the standard household garage ( 2 x 2 x 5.8 m long). once airborne, it can maintain speeds of 62 miles (100 km), with a fuel consumption of 6.2 miles (10 km) per litre. the wings can fold and deploy at the press of a button, it has front wheel drive on the road along with a propeller for flight. both modes are powered by unleaded gasoline from a regular gas station.

terrafugia flying car - 2 image courtesy of terrafugia

categorized as a light sport aircraft, the transition® requires a sport pilot certificate and driver’s license to operate, along with 200 000 USD to pay for one. by giving pilots a convenient ground transportation option, the transition® reduces the cost, inconvenience and weather sensitivity of personal aviation. it also increases safety by incorporation automotive crash structures and allowing pilots to drive under bad weather.

terrafugia flying car - 3 image courtesy of terrafugia

terrafugia is comprised of a team of award-winning engineers who have been working to improve and advance the personal aircraft since 2006. it was founded by five pilots who are graduates of MIT and supported by a network of advisors and private investors. delivery of the first aircraft is set to happen in the last quarter of 2011.

terrafugia flying car - 4 takeoff… image courtesy of terrafugia

UPDATE: the ‘transition’ earned an exemption sunday from the federal aviation administration as a ‘light sport aircraft,’ meaning the US federal government is on track to legalize the first flying car.

after a few more sessions of audits and paperwork, the two-seated flying car can take to the skies under the command of sport pilots, a low-threshold classification. terrafugia can also commercially produce the aircraft without repeated burdensome federal airworthiness tests.

flying car industry executives say their products should enter the consumer market in the next decade.

terrafugia flying car - 5 view of propeller from behind during first flight image courtesy of terrafugia

terrafugia flying car - 6 transition® at plattsburgh international airport looking over lake champlain image courtesy of terrafugia

terrafugia flying car - 7 transition® and chase plane testing image courtesy of terrafugia

terrafugia flying car - 8 transition® parked image courtesy of terrafugia

terrafugia flying car - 9 the vehicle uses high-octane unleaded auto gas image courtesy of terrafugia

terrafugia flying car - 10 the transition® has front wheel drive on the road image courtesy of terrafugia

terrafugia flying car - 11 the transition® is only 6’9” tall and 80” wide with wings folded allowing it to fit into a normal-sized garage image courtesy of terrafugia

transition® turntable animation video by benjamin schweighart

terrafugia transition® landing animation video by benjamin schweighart

transition® proof of concept outside