Spawn's dad Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Aircraft maker Terrafugia has successfully flown its "flying car," taking the vehicle a step closer to becoming commercially available.Officially called the Transition Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept, the two-seat aircraft had its maiden flight March 5 at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, N.Y. It was a runway flight, which means the aircraft only flew above the runway. The fight from takeoff to landing lasted only about 30 seconds. Nevertheless, Terrafugia said the test proved that the Transition is ready for more advanced flying. Test pilot retired U.S. Air Force Col. Phil Meteer said in a video on the company's Web site that the flight was smooth and the aircraft performed well. "Stability is always a question on your first flight," Meteer said. "It was just rock solid." Meteer said the Transition handled like a normal plane and there were no surprises. "It was remarkable for being unremarkable," he said. "It just flew like a really nice airplane." The four-wheel aircraft resembles a Volkswagen Beetle with wings and a propeller in the back. The Transition is capable of flying 450 miles at more than 115 mph. On the road, the front-wheel drive vehicle runs on unleaded gasoline, has a top speed of 65 mph and gets 30 miles to the gallon. The Transition takes less than 30 seconds to transform from plane to car, which essentially is accomplished by folding the wings. In the car position the vehicle is 6 feet 9 inches tall, 80 inches wide, and 18 feet 9 inches long, and fits into a standard house garage. Categorized as a light sport aircraft, buyers will need a sport pilot license to fly the Transition legally. The vehicle is meant to give pilots a "convenient ground transportation option." "Travel now becomes a hassle-free integrated land-air experience," Carl Dietrich, chief executive of Terrafugia, said in a statement. Terrafugia has not said when the flying car will be available, but is taking orders. Would-be buyers will have to put up a $10,000 deposit. The Transition is expected to cost $194,000. Terrafugia has a video gallery of the first flight on its Web site. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 MIT represent represent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Christopher Lee did this in The Man with the Golden Gun Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dondoboy Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Please. The one and only: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 A drug trafficker's wet dream Quote Link to post Share on other sites
isadorah Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 because driving isn't dangerous enough as it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ih8music Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Could you imagine if cars like this took off (pardon the pun)? Would make police high speed chases so much more exciting... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I guess you would need an up turn signal light Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 A drug trafficker's wet dreamThat, or a teflon-lined sigmoid? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
isadorah Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 i can see it now, you're stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and then some asshole comes lurching in from above you and practically lands on your car to get ahead of everybody else. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 30 mpg and it flies? Sign me up. Sarah has been dreaming about having a flying car since she could talk. I've always wanted a reason to get a pilot's license. Besides, that's about double the gas mileage of my Jeep. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I "flew" a little airplane once. Fun, and surprisingly intuitive once you get to work the stick and the pedals. Landing, I hear, is tricky, as is remembering everything to say on the radio. If I had the money, I'd take more flying lessons and then buy an old P-51 Mustang and tear ass around the Hudson Valley, maybe make a strafing run or two or fuck with the biplanes from the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Do they make paintballs for .50-cal. machine guns? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 Besides, that's about double the gas mileage of my Jeep. Way to hate on the planet. Did you vote for McCain? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Oh heavens no. I converted to carbon neutralism in the back in the 70s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Sweet creamy Jesus. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 You could steam the backseat windows AND join the mile high club... Try that on a smart car Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalzunfield Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Imagine the blind spot if your driving that thing down the highway. Judging by where the wings are you wouldn't be able to see anything! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 A drug trafficker's wet dreamYeah, that wouldn't stick out at all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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