Flying cars on Indian roads n sky

Mumbai: Developed by Terrafugia, Inc. a company founded by MIT-trained aeronautical engineers and MBAs, located at Boston in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA, the “Transition Roadable Aircraft” is expected to be launched in 2011. More than two dozen test flights have been conducted already, and it has gained huge response in the Western countries.
“Although the Transition is being designed to meet U.S. aviation and automobile standards, we are taking deposits internationally and India is certainly a target market. The current estimated price is $194,000 with production starting in 2011,” Richard Gersh Vice President - Business Development, Terrafugia, Inc, said in an e-mail reply to Sakal Times.
Categorized as a Light Sport Aircraft, the Transition requires a Sport Pilot certificate to fly. It is a two-seat aircraft designed to take off and land at local airports and drive on any road. Transforming from plane to car takes the pilot less than 30 seconds. The Transition will cruise up to 450 miles at over 115 mph, will drive at highway speeds on the road, and fits in a standard household garage. The vehicle has front wheel drive on the road and a propeller for flight. Both modes are powered by unleaded automotive gasoline.
By giving pilots a convenient ground transportation option, the Transition reduces the cost, inconvenience, and weather sensitivity of personal aviation. It also increases safety by incorporating automotive crash structures and allowing pilots to drive under bad weather.
25/06/09 Sakaal Times

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Categories: New Jun 2009