The Terrafugia flying car, also known as the Terrafugia Transition, made its maiden voyage on March 5, 2009, at New York's Plattsburgh International Airport, making it the first plausible flying car to take flight.Jalopnik: Terrafugia "Flying Car" Makes First Flight (March 18, 2009) Operating at air speeds of 115 mph, it takes only 30 seconds to transform the Transition from airplane to car.Official Site: Historic Takeoff Makes "Flying Car" a Reality (March 18, 2009) Expected to hit the retail market in 2011 for $194,000, people can get on Terrafugia's waiting list by pre-ordering for $10,000.Jalopnik: Terrafugia "Flying Car" Makes First Flight (March 18, 2009)
In June of 2009, the Terrafugia completed its final test flight, brining the total to 28 since March of 2009.http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2009/090604terra.html
Buyers
To fly the car, a person needs at least a light sport plane pilots license. As or March 19, 2009, about 40 people had put down a $10,000 refundable deposit toward the $194,000 purchase price, according to the company.CBS: [CBS News: Move Over, Jetsons: Flying Car In Works! (March 19, 2009)
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Made by the company Terrafugia, based in Massachusetts
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Maiden voyage
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First flight took place at New York's Plattsburgh International AirportCNET: [http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10199366-76.html Terrafugia's flying car makes maiden voyage (March 18, 2009)
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Approved for use in the streets of Massachusetts, approval for air use is pending, according to the companyCBS: Move Over, Jetsons: Flying Car In Works! (March 19, 2009)
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Terrafugia describes the vehicle as a "roadable aircraft"CNET: [http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10199366-76.html Terrafugia's flying car makes maiden voyage (March 18, 2009)
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Runs on unleaded gasoline for both air and land travelCNET: [http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10199366-76.html Terrafugia's flying car makes maiden voyage (March 18, 2009)
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Reaches speeds of 115 miles per hour in the airCNET: [http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10199366-76.html Terrafugia's flying car makes maiden voyage (March 18, 2009)
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As a car it is 80 inches wide, and 6 feet, 9 inches highCNET: [http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10199366-76.html Terrafugia's flying car makes maiden voyage (March 18, 2009)
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As an airplane, the vehicle is a few inches shorter than it is as a car, with a wingspan of 27 feet, six inchesCNET: [http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10199366-76.html Terrafugia's flying car makes maiden voyage (March 18, 2009)
