Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads
Thanks to a weight exemption from the FAA, the Tarrafugia roadable airplane is set to become the first flying car available.
The exemption was needed because the vehicle weighs in excess of 110 pounds over the FAA qualification for a Light Sports Aircraft. This is due to the Tarrafugia being both a car and plane, which requires added weight for crumple zones and safety equipment to comply with road standards.
With the decision to overlook the weight and classify the vehicle as a Light Sports Aircraft, it can now fly and be sold as long as the weight difference is known. Additionally, with this qualification owners will only require 20 hours of fly time before they can operate it.
The Tarrafugia is a two-seat plane capable of reaching speeds of 115 mph and traveling up to 450. The vehicle is powered by standard unleaded gas and can be transformed from a plane into a car in just 30 seconds. Once on the ground it is a front wheel drive car that can reach speeds of up to 65 mph and gets a fuel economy of 30 mpg.
It first took the skies in March and after a few more stages in development, it could be ready for delivery by the fourth-quarter of 2011. The price is set at $194,000 with a $10,000 deposit held in escrow.
While the Tarrafugia is no DeLorean, it does get us one step closer to achieving the boyhood dream of having a flying car.