Roadable Aircraft Completes Successful First Flight

• Click Here To See the Aero-TV Feature Program On The Terrafugia

Despite the predictions of a whole number of nay-sayers, Terrafugia is taking the wraps off details of the first flight of its 'Transition' Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept. The Transition is a two-seat aircraft designed to take off and land at local airports and drive on any road. According to Terrafugia, transforming from plane to car takes the pilot less than 30 seconds.

The flight comes after six months of static, road and taxi testing. The Transition will cruise up to 450 mi at over 115 mph, can drive at highway speeds on the road, and fits in a standard household garage. The vehicle uses front wheel drive on the road and a propeller for flight. Both modes are powered by unleaded gasoline from a regular gas station.

“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,” says Carl Dietrich, CEO of Terrafugia.

For its first flight, the Transition was flown by Phil Meteer, Colonel, USAFR (Retired) at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, NY. The chase aircraft was piloted by Giora Guth.

Categorized as a Light Sport Aircraft, the Transition requires a Sport Pilot license to fly. The Proof of Concept will undergo additional advanced flight and drive testing and a pre-production prototype will be built and certified before first delivery. Refundable airframe reservations are being accepted.

Terrafugia (terra-FOO-gee-ah), based in Woburn, MA, is comprised of a team of award-winning engineers who have been advancing the state of personal aircraft since 2006. Founded by five pilots who are graduates of MIT and supported by a world-class network of advisors and private investors, Terrafugia’s mission is the innovative expansion of personal mobility. "Terrafugia" is Latin for "escape from land."

The Transition is temporarily on exhibit at the Museum of Science (Boston) today, March 18, 2009.

FMI: www.terrafugia.com, Aero-TV: Terrafugia -- Highway To The Skies