Now you can have your car and fly it, too

Long lines at the airport. Flights delayed or canceled. Increased security making the wait longer and figuring out “Am I allowed to bring this bottle of shampoo or will it be considered a weapon?” I mean, it’s not even like they give us the free drinks and snacks anymore to make up for all the inconveniences. Traveling by air has lost the allure for many, and often the wish is that we could have simply done the trip by our own car. If it wasn’t so impractical mileage-wise that is. Well, the Terrafugia Transition may just be the genie in your tired-of-airports bottle.

There have been hints and rumors of it coming, and now it arrives…the flying car. Nope, no joke. The Transition is a two-seater automobile that in just thirty seconds can transform into an actual plane that goes 115 mph for up to 450 miles. On the road, it is front wheel drive and can go highway speeds, and it fits in a normal size garage when in “auto” mode. Both modes run on standard unleaded gasoline that you can buy at any gas station.

The Terrafugia Transition in auto mode

Terrafugia calls the vehicle a Personal Air Vehicle. The way it works is that the owner drives the car from its parking spot in the garage or wherever, to the airport and then takes off from there. Then, when you are done, land again (at an airport), fold up your wings, and drive where you want to go. This isn’t something you are supposed to take off using Main Street as the runaway just because it is also a car. Keep in mind, drivers/pilots do need to have their pilot’s license as well as their drivers license to operate the vehicle.

The company claims the vehicle is great for several reasons–beyond the obvious. They claim it is even actually safer on the road than a “regular” car since it does stand out more that people notice it, and give it a little more berth. Also, the fact that the vehicle is able to switch from flying to driving makes it able to still be used on the road in adverse weather conditions, so a pilot doesn’t have to be up in the air; as well as the fact that automotive crash structures are incorporated into the vehicle.

The prototype was first introduced three years ago, in a project led by five pilots, all graduates of MIT. Now, after continued work and effort on their part, that prototype has become a very real reality.

Now, the convenience of a two in one doesn’t come cheap. The Terrafugia Transition will run you $194,000. But, Terrafugia CEO Carl Dietrich undoubtedly feels it is worth it. “This breakthrough changes the world of personal mobility. Travel now becomes a hassle-free integrated land-air experience. It’s what aviation enthusiasts have been striving for since 1918.”

via: yahoo