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“Steering wheel, normal ; gas pedal, normal ; brake pedal, normal !”
It's when you put the wings down and prepare for takeoff that things get really interesting.
“There it is. Thirty seconds we are now on airplane.”
This is the Transition. It's currently under development by Massachusetts based Terrafugia Corporated. The MIT grads who run the company are betting it could be the future of flight.
“The vehicle like this has the potential to get more people involved in aviation.”
“It would be weird to see it on the streets. You are going to the airport, and it’s next to you, and then it just takes off.”
She’s right. It would take time getting used to, but the future maybe here sooner than you think. Earlier this month the so called roadable aircraft completed seven successful test flights in Plattsburgh, New York. Just whatever you do, don't call it a flying car.
“This is an air plane first and foremost.”
Wings up, it can travel on any road and it's narrow enough to park in your garage. You can even fill it up at your local service station. It runs on premium unleaded. In the air, the 20-gallon tank can sustain flights of up to 500 miles. And with the required Sport Pilot license, only 20 hours of instruction time away. Company officials say not only does Transition make flying easier for pilots, it also makes it easier for more people to become pilots.
“I mean this is a new freedom that we are selling.”