The Terrafugia Transition: Flying Car, or Drivable Plane?

The future is now. Proof? Terrafugia's Transition. Terrafugia representatives call it a "roadable aircraft," but your average Joe might look at it and call it a "flying car." I spoke via telephone with Richard Gersh, VP of Business Development for Terrafugia, about their eye-catching new mode of transportation.

"Terrafugia" is Latin for "escape from land." And, while Gersh says Terrafugia (pronounced: terra-FOO-gee-ah) is sometimes assumed to be a foreign company, it's really an all-American outfit based in Woburn, Massachusetts, and founded by five MIT pilots in 2006.

This June, Terrafugia's Transport model completed its first test flight running on unleaded gas, the same fuel most Americans fill up with at neighborhood gas stations. The video of Terrafugia's "flying car" already has more than 715,000 views on YouTube, and is one of Google's top trends for this week. But, while a lot of people are looking at the Terrafugia Transition as a "flying car," Gersh tells me his team prefers the term "roadable aircraft," emphasis on the word "aircraft".

Gersh cautions against anyone thinking they're just a couple months away from hopping in their flying car and zooming over traffic jams. In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration created a new aviation license called the "Sport Pilot Certification." It takes about 20 hours of instruction to earn, and consumers will need at least this level of licensing in order to operate the Terrafugia Transition.

Terrafugia's Transition is not designed to take-off from a driveway either. Pilots will use the Transition in car mode to drive down to their local airport (think the ones used for air shows, not big international airports), file a flight plan and then take-off. The bonus? You don't have to wait in line for security and you won't need to rent a car when you arrive at your destination.

Terrafugia's Transition is mostly a plane. It's being marketed as a recreational vehicles for people with Sport Pilot Certifications. Terrafugia is also hoping to attract business travelers who would like to avoid security lines and airport hassle, and Baby Boomer retirees who might want to learn how to fly, but don't want to spend $300,000 on a starter airplane. With a $200,000 price tag, Richard Gersh says the Transition is either a "really expensive car, or an inexpensive airplane" depending on how you look at it.

However, unlike a Ferrari or other expensive sports car, this one can fly. The Terrafugia Transition is also expected to be far more reliable than a sports car. Gersh tells me the Transition's engine uses "off-shelf components," and will be able to operate even in the event of a computer malfunction onboard. The Transition also uses an in-plane parachute, in case the operator or passenger needs to bail-out. Cruising speed while flying the Transition is said to be 115-120 miles per hour.

While the Terrafugia Transition isn't designed to take-off from city streets and highways, Gersh says "in an emergency, everything is a runway."

Gersh tells me it only takes about 20 seconds for the Terrafugia Transition to go from plane-mode to car-mode. The wings fold up alongside the body of the vehicle, and you are on your way. The Transition even uses unleaded gas.

Safety is a top priority for the company. In addition to meeting the safety requirements of aviation agencies, Terrafugia is also faced with meeting the safety standards of automobiles set forth by agencies like the NTSB and EPA. That's why, Gersh says, Terrafugia recently received an exemption from the FAA to make the Transition a little bit heavier in order to fit all the automobile safety equipment on board.

The Terrafugia Transition is only cleared for a 400-pound payload capacity, and two people (pilot and passenger, max). Gersh says if you figure "two 150 pound people, plus 100 pounds of gas, that leaves you with 50 pounds for luggage." He admits, those are two pretty skinny people. So, those looking to travel in a Terrafugia will likely have to travel pretty light.

How to Get a Terrafugia Transition:

Gersh says they have about 70 orders in as of now for the first roll-out, which will happen "in late 2011." Ordering is done online, and deposits (by check or credit card) are put in escrow. You can check out more ordering information on Terrafugia's website.

Sources:

Richard Gersh, VP of Business Relations for Terrafugia. Phone Interview. 6/30/2010

News Releases.Terrafugia Public Relations.

Federal Aviation Administration. Sport Pilot Information. FAA.gov

Terrafugia. Video News Release. You Tube.

All photos used with permission of Terrafugia via Richard Gersh.