Citing challenges in production design and problems with third-party suppliers, the developers of the Transition roadable aircraft have announced a delay that extends their expected first delivery date to “late 2012.” The company still plans to show, but not fly, one of two production prototypes at AirVenture Oshkosh this July and says its past experience suggests flight tests might take place by March 2012. Terrafugia’s press release declined to expand on the problems that led to the delay and stated that the company remains committed to the success of the program.
Terrafugia CEO/CTO Carl Dietrich says his team is pushing forward as quickly as safety and rigorous testing allow. “We will continue to focus our efforts on developing the safest, most convenient, and most fun personal aircraft the aviation world has ever seen,” he said. Dietrich says program has spent the past year working on prototype production tooling and the construction of two production prototypes. Terrafugia was granted an exemption from the FAA that allows it to produce its vehicle for use under LSA rules while operating at a maximum takeoff weight 110 pounds above that category’s usual limit.
