CAP Talk

Operations => Aviation & Flying Activities => Topic started by: Eclipse on March 18, 2009, 02:51:09 PM

Title: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: Eclipse on March 18, 2009, 02:51:09 PM
(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/03/Terrafugia-Flying-Car.jpg)

More pics & video at Jalopnik:  http://jalopnik.com/5173389/terrafugia-flying-car-makes-first-flight

Boston, MA – March 18, 2009: Terrafugia, Inc., a game-changing aircraft company, announced today the first flight of its Transition® Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept. Often referred to as a "flying car", the Transition® 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.
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: jimmydeanno on March 18, 2009, 03:03:46 PM
Neat Idea.  I wonder if they took into consideration the aerodynamic effect of putting two side mirors on it :)

It obviously flies, but there is a significant number of additions that would be required to meet DOT safety requirements and state inspection requirements...
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: SilverEagle2 on March 18, 2009, 03:50:24 PM
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_TerrafugiaTransition_FirstFlight_199980-1.html (http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_TerrafugiaTransition_FirstFlight_199980-1.html)
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: dwb on March 18, 2009, 03:52:35 PM
It's about time!  Now where are my X-Ray Specs?
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: ♠SARKID♠ on March 18, 2009, 04:48:43 PM
Great job for science, its a lot more stable than the first flying car (http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/FlyingCarS_450x300.jpg) I saw.  I just hope we never see the days where everyone in the world has them.
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: swamprat86 on March 18, 2009, 04:59:21 PM
Why?  Just image the number of missions we could get out of this.  ;)
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
^ :o ;D :clap: ;D ;) YES! Everyone call up NHQ and bug them to start the R&D for us to field it!
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: notaNCO forever on March 18, 2009, 05:47:44 PM
Quote from: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
^ :o ;D :clap: ;D ;) YES! Everyone call up NHQ and bug them to start the R&D for us to field it!

Jeez I've never seen someone so exited about car accidents before.
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: jimmydeanno on March 18, 2009, 05:50:17 PM
Quote from: NCO forever on March 18, 2009, 05:47:44 PM
Quote from: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
^ :o ;D :clap: ;D ;) YES! Everyone call up NHQ and bug them to start the R&D for us to field it!

Jeez I've never seen someone so exited about car accidents before.

Does this mean that the NTSB will get into the business of investigating all car accidents with these involved?  Might slow down insurance payments... >:D
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: Al Sayre on March 18, 2009, 08:11:35 PM
Quote from: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
^ :o ;D :clap: ;D ;) YES! Everyone call up NHQ and bug them to start the R&D for us to field it!

They need to order 600 of them right now!  Slap in a becker and you have the perfect CAP ELT hunting vehicle.  Fly around till you hear it, then drive up to the door using the Becker... >:D :D
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 08:59:25 PM
Quote from: NCO forever on March 18, 2009, 05:47:44 PM
Quote from: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
^ :o ;D :clap: ;D ;) YES! Everyone call up NHQ and bug them to start the R&D for us to field it!

Jeez I've never seen someone so exited about car accidents before.

I like smashes and crashes >:D

Quote from: jimmydeanno on March 18, 2009, 05:50:17 PM
Quote from: NCO forever on March 18, 2009, 05:47:44 PM
Quote from: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
^ :o ;D :clap: ;D ;) YES! Everyone call up NHQ and bug them to start the R&D for us to field it!

Jeez I've never seen someone so exited about car accidents before.

Does this mean that the NTSB will get into the business of investigating all car accidents with these involved?  Might slow down insurance payments... >:D

Ok nevermind...that means it will be a few years before the insurance pays the payoff. Drat! But think of the increase of job opportunities at the FAA and NTSB. See I've just solved our economic problems!  :D

Quote from: Al Sayre on March 18, 2009, 08:11:35 PM
Quote from: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
^ :o ;D :clap: ;D ;) YES! Everyone call up NHQ and bug them to start the R&D for us to field it!

They need to order 600 of them right now!  Slap in a becker and you have the perfect CAP ELT hunting vehicle.  Fly around till you hear it, then drive up to the door using the Becker... >:D :D

EXACTLY! We'd have a faster response time too. Which we all know what that means...more time for doughnuts and coffee :D >:D
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: NIN on March 18, 2009, 11:37:44 PM
Quote from: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 05:41:23 PM
^ :o ;D :clap: ;D ;) YES! Everyone call up NHQ and bug them to start the R&D for us to field it!

But you'll have to take the other seat out of it. And no cadets.

Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: Always Ready on March 18, 2009, 11:40:15 PM
Sounds good to me
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: tarheel gumby on March 19, 2009, 12:17:14 AM
I can't wait till they get the 15 pax version of this then we could really field some unique teams with them :D :D
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: Major Lord on March 19, 2009, 12:20:32 AM
I think in California that would only be a motorcycle, since it looks like it only has three wheels, and is not a metermaid car. Does it have drive wheels or do you drive it around town with the whirling push-prop running? Its darn cool whatever they call it!

Major Lord
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: ctim on March 19, 2009, 02:53:24 PM
Wow. They were finally able to get the test flight to work.  I think I need to get as better job so I can get one! ;)
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: Gunner C on March 19, 2009, 08:18:08 PM
Quote from: Major Lord on March 19, 2009, 12:20:32 AM
I think in California that would only be a motorcycle, since it looks like it only has three wheels, and is not a metermaid car. Does it have drive wheels or do you drive it around town with the whirling push-prop running? Its darn cool whatever they call it!

Major Lord
Front wheel drive.
Title: Re: First plausible flying car takes flight
Post by: Al Sayre on March 20, 2009, 12:14:37 AM
4 wheels not 3 see:  http://www.terrafugia.com/images/photogallery/logo/Terrafugia_Formation.jpg