Terrafugia Flying Car

rustycase

rustycase

Gutter Rider
My apologies to Dietrich, but I have to post this here in the Tavern.

I recall years of flying car articles and 'covers' on Popular Mechanics and other magazines. Kool Stuff!

General aviation was doing real well, back then. There were municipal airports in many small towns, and even smaller fields all over the place!

I suppose it was liability issues that have brought all those to an end.

Way back when, the flying pinto which came to an abrupt demise was based at one of the 6 airports near where I lived.

Other flying cars haven't done well, either.

So this fellow, producing Terrafugia really has my respect !
He makes good points that could allow for his success.

10k refundable deposits are being accepted, with a projected production cost of 280k.

I suppose it's that delivery price that drops it in the Tavern for the likes of me. :-(

I always wanted an Aeronca C2. Should have pursued it, back then.
rc
 

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I was checking out the Transition back when they estimated it would be about $150k to build. Looks like that went way up! (snicker)

It looks like an amazing "car" tho. Gets about 30MPG on the road, then you unfold the wings and take off from an airport, gets about 20MPG in the air.

$250K tho? Sheesh. Parachute, barf bag, and change of shorts prolly not included :D

Edit: found a few links if anyone's interested:
http://www.terrafugia.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrafugia_Transition
 
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If ya really want one;

http://pal-v.com/the-pal-v-one/

The PAL-V ONE is a two seat hybrid car and gyroplane: a personal air and land vehicle. What makes the PAL-V ONE attractive is the convenience of fully integrated door-to-door transportation.

On the ground this slim, aerodynamic, 3-wheeled vehicle has the comfort of a car with the agility of a motorcycle thanks to its patented, cutting-edge, ‘tilting’ system. It can be driven to the nearest airfield and take off just like any other airplane. The single rotor and propeller are unfolded to make the PAL-V ONE ready to fly.

When airborne, the PAL-V usually flies below 4,000 feet (1,200 m), the airspace available for uncontrolled Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic; so there will be no interference from commercial air traffic. Furthermore, the PAL-V is powered by a very robust, flight certified aircraft engine. It runs on gasoline. It can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h (112 mph) both on land and in the air.

The PAL-V ONE has a very short take off and landing capability, making it possible to land practically anywhere. When not using controlled airspace, you can take off without filing a flight plan. Flying a PAL-V is like a standard gyrocopter. It is quieter than helicopters due to the slower rotation of the main rotor. It takes off and lands with low speed, cannot stall, and is very easy to control. The gyroplane technology means that it can be steered and landed safely even if the engine fails, because the rotor keeps auto rotating.
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Dutch Government preparing for PAL-V's: http://vimeo.com/32838567
 
I have always been riveted by the flying car. I buy every Popular Mechanics magazine that has a flying car on the cover. I am more likely to get a gyrocopter. You can keep it in your garage and then tow it to the air strip like small trailer.
 
Still waiting on the jet pack, bubble cars/flying car and all the other stuff they promised us would be here by the year 2000. ;)
 
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