The company received a Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate from the FAA
It has a 27-foot wingspan with wings that fold up to fit in a one-car garage
Pilots can now purchase flight-only models, which run on gas or airplane fuel
A full air-road hybrid model of the two-seater is planned for 2022
Transition owners will need both a driver s license and a sport pilot s certificate
Terrafugia obtains FAA Special Light-Sport Airworthiness Certificate for roadable aircraft; “flying car”
Terrafugia, Inc. has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining an FAA Special Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) airworthiness certificate for its Transition roadable aircraft.
As a unique integration of a two-seat aircraft and an automobile, the Transition is designed to meet safety standards from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The vehicle that received the certificate is legal for flight and represents the initial version of the Transition roadable aircraft. Terrafugia will produce and sell additional initial (flight-only) versions to interested parties and will evolve the driving portion of the Transition design, with the goal of being legal both in the sky and on local roads in 2022.
AVweb
Image: Terrafugia
Terrafugia announced on Tuesday that it has obtained a Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) airworthiness certificate from the FAA for its Transition roadable aircraft. While designed to meet both FAA and National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety standards, the initial version of the Transition is a flight-only model. Terrafugia says intends to produce and sell the flight-only version with the goal of having the vehicle both sky- and road-legal by 2022.
“We are excited to have reached our goal of an airworthiness certificate for the initial version,” said Kevin Colburn, Terrafugia’s vice president and general manager. “This is a major accomplishment that builds momentum in executing our mission to deliver the world’s first practical flying car.”