Terrafugia On The Road, First Flight Near?

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There’s been a strange sight on highways and byways of Massachusetts and it could soon be an airborne apparitition. Transition, the so-called roadable aircraft conceived by Terrafugia has been undergoing road tests for the past few weeks and AOPA Online is reporting that a first flight could occur in early December. The prototype, with functional electric folding wings, was a hit at EAA AirVenture and the company reportedly took more than 100 orders for the $194,000 vehicle.

The Transition uses a 100-horsepower Rotax engine for road and flight mode. A simple clutch arrangement shiftes power from the front wheels to the rear-mounted prop. Test drivers have had the Transition up to 40 mph and the company stresses that the two-place vehicle is not intended to replace the family SUV. Rather it’s to provide transportation to and from the airport without all the usual inconvenience. Deliveries are expected in 2010 assuming testing go according to plan.

Related Content:
AVweb‘s AirVenture 2008 video of the Terrafugia Transition

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