Alright so it’s a little bigger than a gadget, but I thought that this blog’s readers would enjoy an article about Terrafugia‘s Transition. You have probably already heard about this “big boy toy”, but just in case you have not, it is a flying car. Or maybe it’s a driving plane? I think I would classify it more as the second option. Terrafugia does not want it to be called either and would like to see it called a “roadable aircraft”.
Yes, at about $200,000, you too can reserve your own roadable aircraft. It is a two-seater vehicle/plane that was developed by MIT engineers. Certified as a Light Sport Aircraft because of its weight, the Transition will require a Sport Pilot license (20 hours of logged flying time) or higher to fly. Actually, this plane/car is 120 lbs over the weight limit for a vehicle of its class, but the FAA allowed it to pass as a Light Sport Aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,420 lbs. So really, anyone with money and a brain could get the chance to make use of this plane – I mean, “roadable aircraft”. It can take off or land at any public-use general aviation airport with at least 2,500 feet of runway.
Honestly, I just see it as a plane that can fold its wings up and become a car that can go about 90mph at a respectable 30mpg on the highway. In the air you can cruise at about 115 mph and should get you at least 400 miles per tank while you are in the skies. Yes, it is pretty cool, but I do not think it is something that is too revolutionary. Now you can buy one piece of machinery that functions as both a car and a plane, but I am curious to see how many people will use it as a multifunction form of transportation. Also, not only is the actual car/plane expensive, but think about all of the airport fees that you would have to pay!
As for some more fun facts, it has:
- “Front wheel drive on the ground
- Automotive-style entry and exit
- Two place, side by side
- Automated electromechanical folding wing
- No trailer or hangar needed
- Cargo area holds skis, fishing poles or golf clubs”
Oy.
Is $200k the reservation price or the MSRP? Cuz that sounds mighty low for a car-plane hybrid, considering there are cars that cost far more that don’t come with a set of wings.
Hi JohnnySaber, looking at their website I believe that it will go for about 200k and the reservation price is 10k.
http://www.terrafugia.com/aircraft.html
“Place your fully refundable $10,000 airframe reservation deposit here. Anticipated purchase price: $194,000.”