RE: PICTURES: Terrafugia reveals flying car first flight

Flightglobal:

Startup airframer Terrafugia has revealed that its roadable aircraft, the Transition, flew for the first time on 5 March...

Author: John Croft

Date: 18 March 2009

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A video posted on another web site shows the machine lifting off very flat, at the 5,000 foot marker (although, to be fair, it doesn't show where it started from).  Having the back wheels so far behind the C.G. has to be limiting takeoff performance.  The other web site also notes that the extra elevator area behind the prop was a recent addition.  Probably to get the nose to lift a little.

 

This might be a gimmick that sells a few, but I can't think it is serious competition for existing airplanes and cars.

Pure genius . However, I'm not so sure I'd like to take my precious aircraft out among some of the types that are allowed to drive on our roads. Could get very expensive (tailgated, carve up... shunt... )