The light aircraft-turned city runabout, the Terrafugia Transition, has done what the Moller Skycar has not: fly without the assistance of a crane. The ambitious Moller Skycar, designed by entrepreneur Paul Moller in the 1990s, had several public demonstrations in 2003. However, it was attached to a crane “for safety and insurance reasons”. Despite hoping to be in the air by 2005, the on-sale date was repeatedly pushed back by 12 months at a time. The latest release date is 2012, although skeptics are not convinced the deadline will be met. The Moller Skycar has not yet been proven to fly unassisted.
Watch one of its assisted flight attempts here:
Meanwhile, the following footage shows the Terrafugia Transition taking off and being driven on public roads. The company claims its invention is not a sky-car, rather a ‘road-able plane’, so you need a pilot’s licence and a driver’s licence to operate it. An aircraft engine powers it on the runway and in the air, while a small car engine drives the front wheels on the road. Both operate on regular unleaded petrol. With a price of about $US200,000, the company says the Transition will be on sale within two years. At 5.8 metres long, it is not much longer than a Holden Statesman sedan – and can fit inside a regular garage.
Visit The Buzz today for quick and easy car insurance.
*The contents of this advertorial represent the opinions of the author and do not neccessarily represent the views of The Buzz.
Popular Science has been a leading source of science, technology and gadget news since 1872. With up-to-the minute latest space news, insightful commentary on the new innovations and concept cars ...if it's new or future technology you'll find it at popsci.com.au.
WW Media - Popular Science © 2010
Cameras - Home Entertainment - Mobile Phones
