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 Terrafugia's award-winning MIT-trained engineers have been advancing the state-of-the-art in personal aircraft since 2006. Now you can streamline your flying experience with the revolutionary integration of personal land and air travel made possible by the Transition Roadable Aircraft.

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The Transition is flown by licensed pilots in and out of existing local airports in the U.S. Once on the ground, with the wings folded the vehicle can be driven on any road. The Transition is powered by a certified aircraft engine that runs on unleaded automotive gasoline. Perfect for trips between 100 and 400 miles, the Transition is not designed to replace anyone's automobile.

 

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In United States, the Transition can take off or land at any public use general aviation airport with at least 2,500' of runway. This represents the majority of the over 5,000 public airports in the United States. On average, you're within 30 miles or less of one of these fields anywhere in the country. The Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association (AOPA) hosts a site that will let you search for airports near where you want to be.

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Since it will be certified as a Light Sport Aircraft, the Transition will require a Sport Pilot license or higher to fly. You will also need a valid driver's license for use on the ground.

After landing, the pilot activates the electro-mechanical wing folding mechanism from inside the cockpit. The wings fold, once at the root and once at the mid-span, and are stowed vertically on the sides of the vehicle in less than 30 seconds. Simultaneously, the engine power is directed to the wheels with a continuously variable transmission.

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First customer delivery is anticipated to be in Q4 2011. Refundable airframe reservations are currently being accepted to hold a place in production. Over 70 aircraft have been reserved, representing an order backlog of $14 million. 

Terrafugia will be growing from a small development team to a high-tech aircraft manufacturer over the course of the next few years. In five years, Terrafugia expects to be producing between 300 and 400 aircraft annually, supporting in excess of 400 skilled manufacturing jobs and high tech engineering positions while passing approximately $150 million through to its workforce and suppliers each year; $20 million of which will go to suppliers, most of which will be sourced locally.

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Courtesy: Terrafugia