For decades society has seen the concept of flying cars but has never been so close to reality as it has in 2010. Earlier this year the Department of Defense announced their intention to explore this versatile type of transportation and now it looks like the civilian side is exploring it as well. Terrafugia is the Massachusetts company that is in the process of developing the Transition, the name given to the flying car. The creator of the flying car describes it as combining “the unique convenience of being able to fold its wings with the ability to drive on any surface road in a modern personal airplane platform”. Here are some specs for the Transition: Performance: The flying vehicle can cruise at 110 kts/115 mph, make turns at 70 kts/80mph, and has a range of 460 miles on one tank of gas, and on the road has 30 mpg; the tank is 20 gallons. The flying car can carry up to 430 lbs and is classified as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). Convenience: When in automobile mode the car is front wheel drive and has a normal entry and exit through a door. The vehicle does not require a trailer or hangar for day to day operations and possesses an automated electromechanical folding wing. There is even cargo space which is useful to carry recreational items. Safety: Safety is a serious concern, especially with something as cutting edge as a flying car. The company recommends do not try to fly in inclement weather and stick to road mode, has a reliable power source, and the vehicle has an option for a parachute. Two other safety features listed on the company’s website are automotive crash safety features and modern glass avionics. Size: In automobile mode with the wings folded, the car is 6 feet, 9 inches tall and 80 inches wide. Its length is 18 feet, 9 inches long. When in airplane mode, the aircraft is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 19 feet, 2 inches long; wingspan stretches 27 feet, six inches; the cockpit is listed at 51″ at the shoulder. Anyone who wants to fly this aircraft has to receive training, which is listed as 20 hours of flight time in a Transition specific course and get approved to be a Sport Pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently given Terrafugia an exemption which allows the flying car to quality as a light sport aircraft under the agency’s rules. This means the Transition can legally operate with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 pounds; this is 110 over the normal allowable limit. This leeway was given because it allows the company to fit the aircraft to meet automobile safety standards. The extra weight accommodates airbags, crumple zones, safety-cage structures and any other attributes necessary in order to meet car standards. This bit of flexibility was provided because other normal aircraft does not have to meet this extra criteria. The FAA’s consent is big news because it brings the reality of a flying car to the forefront. Legally this innovation and progressive technology is theoretically in reach if you can afford it. To purchase this car, it’s a bit costly, the refundable down payment is $10,000, however you’ll have to pay a lot more to outright own this flying car, as it has a price tag that comes to an approximate total of $194,000. Test flights are due to happen in spring 2012. If all goes well, it could be that flying cars are no longer a vision in science fiction. What was once creative imagination has integrated with reality. Sources: http://www.terrafugia.com/ http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/06/29/flying- car-may-take-off-next-year/ http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post /2010/06/terrafugia-flying-car-gets-a-break-from-the -faa/1 Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society