Terrafugia reports that it successfully completed the first of four phases in its bid to produce a "roadable" sport light aircraft, the Transition. The company's proof-of-concept aircraft completed 28 flights over several weeks starting with first flight on 5 March, with test pilots probing the handling, performance, take off and landing, stability and stall performance of the unique pusher aircraft that can be driven home from airport and stowed in a normal garage.
The company says a Beta prototype is now being built, incorporating modifications learned in the first phase of the program. First delivery is set for 2011.
The video below is from one of the test flights...
on July 10, 2009 2:38 PM | Reply
Sorry guys, but this picture shows me the concept does not work. The canard, wings and tail are too tightly coupled, resulting in too much trim drag. I think the concept needs more distance from tail to wing to canard; oops I just designed a new airplane, not a car. As history tends to repeat itself, this design then becomes the aircar from last century. JMO