'Flying Car' Gets Big Break From FAA

FILE - In this March 6, 2012 file photo, R. Allen Stanford leaves the Bob Casey Federal Courthouse in Houston. Stanford, once considered one of the wealthiest people in the U.S., with a financial empire that spanned the Americas, was convicted on charges he bilked investors out of more than $7 billion. The 62-year-old is set to be sentenced by a Houston federal judge on Thursday, June 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Nick de la Torre, File) / Nick de la Torre

It's a car, it's a plane, it's a... flying car?

The Terrafugia Transition Roadable Aircraft has received an exemption from the FAA to allow the craft a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 lbs, more than 100 lbs more than allowed other light sport air crafts.

Since this "flying car" spends its share of time on the road, the extra 110lbs go toward safety features such as airbags, a crumple zone, and a protective safety cage, according to a company press release.
This FAA exemption means that the Terrafugia Transition can now be classified as a light sports aircraft.

This is a big deal for potential buyers since it's much easier to get a pilot's license: There is less documentation, and you need only 20 hours of logged flying time, according to CNET.

The aircraft has folding wings and a 115 mph cruising speed in the skies.

[Wallace_Lee]

OMG! I don't have to worry about the traffic jam on Interstate 95 anymore.

[the0racle]

Envision: person on a cell phone...or texting while flying

[rf35]

$200,000, 30 MPG, front wheel drive, front and side airbags, crumple zone, and an available full vehicle parachute.
$10,000 deposit to reserve yours today.



If anyone is looking to get me a unique birthday present...

[alphaa10000]

AIRBORNE DREAM

CBS reports, "The Terrafugia Transition Roadable Aircraft has received an exemption from the FAA..."
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Probably, this is safe FAA decision, considering the high efficiency of modern aircraft powerplants.

Surely, the TerraFugia is the first aircraft to sport airbags, a crumple zone, and a protective safety cage in front. If only all light single-seaters were as well-appointed.

The dream of flying one's own light plane sustained private aviation pioneers, realized in the TerraFugia on a modern, practical and affordable basis.

Now, if only they could do something about the name. For those who do not read TerraFugia as "Escaping (the bonds of) Earth", it may be understood differently.

Surely, if its creators can engineer such a marvel of practicality, they can re-engineer something like the Ogilvy campaign introducing the early VW-- small, light, practical and nifty.

("Doodlebug" is already taken, I am sure.)

[pensacola8-2009]

There is so much controlled airspace that restricts private pilots and small aircraft which makes using these flying cars difficult. A pilot can drive to a small airport where no major commercial airlines are operating, and enter a secure area - the tarmac, and get into the flying mode if the weather is good. Then, he can only fly to another similar airport and drive away.

Large airports with commercial airline service often prohibit private pilots and small planes for safety. Some airports to have a secured side and a non-secured side that segregate commercial airlines from private pilots or flying schools. Sometimes, military and commercial airlines share the same airport.

The Terrafugia Transition will find a market. My only reservation about it is the access to inexperienced pilots commonly found in the Light Sport Aviation, who may be inclined to begin a flight without getting adequate weather briefings, temporary flight restrictions, and advisories. Flying is not for pilots that are too busy to fly safe.

[magicwolf1]

Sweet. Want one!

[mollydtt]

Oh please! Now I have to worry about some bad driver landing on my house or car or whatever.
There is a perfectly good reason why pilots need lots of training and experience and a license and why the FAA is required to direct them.

[rf35]

And where did you get the idea that this is any different? You still need a license and an airport to fly. It just means you don't have to rent hangar space...you simply drive home. You also save on things like rental car/taxi costs, airport parking, etc.

[stinger1z]

You can't land an aircraft on a highway except in an emergency. So you have to land/takeoff at an airport.

[askagain]

stinger1z - My son lives near an aeronautical community which has its own runway. Check out this website:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/212492/Aero-Club-In-Wellington

[IanDerryckSamson]

Moving death from the roads to the skies?

[Quantrill13]

NOTE TO THE CIA, FBI, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO CARES TO LISTEN: Now all the bad guys need to do is buy ten or fifteen of these planes and fly them into any building in New York or anywhere else.

[ralphing]

Small planes can't do any significant damage to a building. The guy who flew his light aircraft into an IRS building last year, didn't cause much damage, and the only person who got killed, was himself.