Car that flies

A car that flies

A production-type prototype of the world's first flying car took its first test flight. The vehicle — dubbed the Transition - has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car. The vehicle has a 23-gallon gas tank. It gets about 35 mpg on the road and burns about five gallons of gas per hour when it is at cruising speed in the air. Terrafugia said it has already received about 100 orders for the Transition. The flight was the first successful test of the two-seat personal aircraft that you can park in your garage, drive on the road and fill up at a gas station.

The two-seater craft, which has the rounded features of a Fiat 500 and collapsible wings, is on presale for $279,000 and some 100 vehicles have already been ordered. 

(Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

While many companies have successfully built a flying car, none have succeeded in producing more than a handful of models. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

Massachusetts-based firm Terrafugia said their production prototype "Transition" car-plane had completed an eight-minute test flight, clearing the way for it to hit the market within a year. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

The vehicle — dubbed the Transition — has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car. Last month, it flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes. Commercial jets fly at 35,000 feet. 

(Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

The two-seater craft, which has the rounded features of a Fiat 500 and collapsible wings, is on presale for $279,000 and some 100 vehicles have already been ordered. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

1. While many companies have successfully built a flying car, none have succeeded in producing more than a handful of models. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

 

2. Massachusetts-based firm Terrafugia said their production prototype "Transition" car-plane had completed an eight-minute test flight, clearing the way for it to hit the market within a year. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

 

3. The vehicle — dubbed the Transition — has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car. Last month, it flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes. Commercial jets fly at 35,000 feet. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

 

4. Spanning 90 inches (2.3m) the same as a car, it fits into a normal-sized garage, before unfurling a 26 foot (8m) wingspan. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

The two-seater craft, which has the rounded features of a Fiat 500 and collapsible wings, is on presale for $279,000 and some 100 vehicles have already been ordered. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

The Transition, they say offers unparalleled freedom of movement, with a range of 490 miles (787 kilometers) and without the need to check bags. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

But to take advantage, would-be owners will need to have both a driver's and pilot's license -- with a minimum of 20 hours of flying time. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

The craft needs 2,500 feet (762 meters) of runway for takeoff, meaning pulling onto the shoulder and escaping the traffic is not really an option. (Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

The Transition has a 23-gallon gas tank. It gets about 35 mpg on the road and burns about five gallons of gas per hour when it is at cruising speed in the air. 

(Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com)

There are still six more phases of flight testing planned, but a spokesperson for Terrafugia said the company is still on track to deliver the plane by late 2012. 

(Image courtesy: Terrafugia.com