Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Terrafugia reveals the next-gen flying car design

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All of us have at least once dreamed of having a flying car..isn't it....?? Now the day for that dream to come true are not far.....!!!!!

Terrafugia which is a small privately held corporation which is founded by the graduates of MIT.
They were trying to build a roadable aircraft.Their General Aviation (GA), Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) is designed to fold its wings, enabling the vehicle to also operate as a street-legal road vehicle. Their team and business plan was the runner-up for the 2006 MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition.

And now Terrafugia has given its idea and dream a form and has released specifications and computer graphics of their next generation flying-car design.They have made use AirVenture2010 which is the worlds biggest aviation platform to give a shape for the future Transition roadable aircraft.It sports automotive-style crash safety features, a touch-screen interface, improved wing design and a folding mechanism that can be activated from inside the vehicle... plus sleeker lines than the proof of concept vehicle we've seen previously.

Some features of Transition is as follows.....
  • promises safety on the road and in the air via an energy absorbing crush structure in the nose along with a rigid safety cage,airbags and a ballistic parachute system.
  • The improved wing design includes an optimized airfoil and there's also a pusher propeller with an open empennage that makes efficient use of the 100 hp Rotax 912S mid-mounted engine in flight and is locked in place when driving.
  • To get around on the ground, the Transition uses rear-wheel drive with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and tuned independent suspension.

Specification of Transition is as below...
  • Max, Vh: 100 kts (115 mph, 185 km/h)
  • Cruise, Vc: 93 kts (105 mph, 172 km/h)
  • Gross takeoff weight: 1430 lbs (650 kg)
  • Takeoff: 1700’ (518 m), over 50’ obstacle
  • Range: 425 nmi (490 m, 787 km)
  • Stall, Vs: 45 kts (51 mph, 83 km/h)
  • Empty Weight: 970 lbs (440 kg)
  • Useful Load: 460 lbs (210 kg)
  • Fuel Burn: 5 gph (at cruise)
  • On Road: 35 mpg
  • Useable Fuel: 23 gal (87L)
  • Engine: 100 hp Rotax 912S
  • Dimensions: On road - 80” (2 m) tall x 90” (2.3 m) wide x 19’ 6” (6 m) long, Flying - 78” (2 m) tall x 26’ 6” (8 m) wingspan x 19’ 9” (6 m) long
Deliveries of the Transition are slated to begin late next year and 80 have already been reserved by way of a $10,000 deposit. A final price has not yet been set, but a tag somewhere in the range of US$190,000 is anticipated.

So if you have got this much money then get ready to be the pilot of your car.....!!!

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