From 2009: CEO Carl Dietrich Provides Exciting Updates on the ‘Flying Car’

At EAA Airventure 2008, a group of award-winning MIT Aeronautical Engineers set the aviation industry ablaze with the introduction of their proof of concept “flying car.” The two-seat aircraft, designed to transform from a plane to a car in less than 30 seconds, allows a pilot to easily fold and stow wings for road use with quick wing-deployment for flight all from the comfort of the cockpit. 

Able to cruise up to 450 miles at over 115mph in air, as well as drive at highway speeds on any road surface, the Terrafugia Transition, as stated by the company, aims to provide increased flexibility by exploring innovative new frontiers for personal mobility.

Since their premiere introduction, the MIT graduates forged ahead and came to EAA AirVenture 2009 having conquered many significant milestones. In June, after months of the flight tests, Terrafugia, Inc. declared the successful conclusion of the first phase of their extensive test program for the historic Transition Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept. The announcement came after the completion of 28 flights, including the aircraft’s first flight on March 5th, 2009.

With the conclusion of the first phase of the company’s four-stage test program, the company continues its development to bring the Transition into production. Thus far, the Proof of Concept vehicle is the only Transition to be built. After testing such characteristics as handling performance, take-off and landing capabilities, overall stability, and stall management, the Beta Prototype (stage 2) will incorporate all identified necessary modifications resulting from the first stage evaluations. First delivery is expected in 2011 with a projected purchase price of $194,000. 

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