Company making progress on 'flying car'
July 1, 2010, 10:24 pm
People may find themselves piloting entirely new types of aircraft in the coming years with some new prototypes already receiving national media attention.
According to Terrafugia, it has received an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration that will allow its Transition Roadable Aircraft to have a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 pounds. A report by CNN noted that this class of plane, light sport aircraft, is typically limited to a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds.
CNN added that a Transition can travel about 450 miles at speeds of about 100 miles per hour in the air and about 65 mph on the ground. The news network also quoted Terrafugia Chief Operating Officer Anna Dietrich as saying that the craft is "a lot closer to an airplane than it would be to your car."
According to the company website, the craft is also called the "Flying Car," since it can be driven on roads while also serving as a light sport aircraft. The company plans to include features such as a protective safety cage and an airbag.
Terrafugia noted that the planned safety features could give pilots the option of driving to their destination in bad weather as opposed to taking off in such conditions.
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