Some say that almost all pilot faces in one way or another some challenges in their job like uncertain weather condition, rising cost and some other ground transportation hassles at the end of their flight. Knowing this, inspired Terrafugia to come up with the Transition Roadable Aircraft which comes in a unique functionality that enables it to fold its wings and run on any road surface.
Terrafugia Inc. recently held a press conference at AirVenture and formally announced the specifications as well as the computer graphics of the new Transition Roadable Aircraft or “Flying Car”. Terrafugia is a company made up of award-winning and competent engineers based in Woburn, USA. This group of experts has been working with the advancement of state- of-the-art personal aircrafts since 2006.
From what Terrafugia has shown, it appears that the Transition comes with an all-new redesigned body. As explained further, these design tweaks were based on the results of a successful test flight conducted last year at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York.
The Transition Roadable Aircraft now comes with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved safety features which definitely brings it a step closer to be a deliverable product by next year. The new design includes several improvements in its system’s performance as well as its physical appearance.
Some of the improvements made on Transition include a touch-screen cockpit interface and better optimized wings that comes with a new folding mechanism for road driving. It can be driven at a speed of 115 miles per hour in the air and still runs on a gas station fuel.
The Transition also comes with a more refined interior with touchscreen panels that easily changes appearance from car-like gauges to aircraft instruments. It also has a four-wheel configuration which can enable it to land and take off at a higher speed.
Aside from these features, the Transition also includes the following:
- Automotive-style crash safety feature
- An improved wing with an optimized airfoil and folding mechanism
- A pusher propeller with an open empennage that uses 100hp
- Rotax 912s mid-mounted engine in flight and locks in place when driving
- Rear-wheel drive
- Independent suspension for road handling
- Comes with a cargo area that holds golf club
- Comes with modern glass avionics and full vehicle parachute for safety purposes
The Transition Roadable Aircraft appears to be more of an airplane than a car. It is not the kind of flying car as most people think it is. It is simply a roadable aircraft. But with its added convenience and amazing features combined surely may pilots or even potential pilots will be captivated with it.
At present the Transition is still being develop at Terrafugia’s Woburn headquarters. The Transition is expected to be deliverable by late 2011 at an estimated price of around $200,000. See clip below for an early test drive!
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