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Terrafugia's TF-X Vertical Takeoff Flying Car
In about a decades time we could potentially see vertical takeoff and landing flying cars in our skies. This is the required time, Terrafugia says it will take to develop the TF-X flying car, capable of vertical takeoff, like a helicopter.
Terrafugia is the company behind The Transition, a fixed wing light aircraft that is capable of transitioning into a road car. While The Transition requires a runway to takeoff and land, the TF-X will be an improvement since it will use rotors to land and takeoff vertically. The TF-X will also be a four passenger vehicle against The Transition's single crew capacity.
Terrafugia has announced development of the plug-in hybrid TF-X will begin shortly and will take 8-12 years to complete. The TF-X will use its electric motor while on the road and electric assist during takeoff and landing.
Understandably, Terrafugia has not said how much the TF-X would cost once it is production ready. But if you think you have enough money, how much ever it might be, then you can consider reserving The Transition, which will be ready much before the TF-X and once the TF-X is fit for production you will be among the first to get your hands on it. Quite a lot to ask from potential customers, but that is the price you pay to experience the future I guess.
Safety being a prime factor in vehicles such as these, Terrafugia explains various features that would be incorporated into the TF-X.
This would include safety parachutes for fail proof landing, manual and automatic flying modes, automatic landing etc,.
One will be able to set destination landing sites before leaving and in case of an emergency the TF-X would land in these predesignated sites automatically.
In case of an emergency the TF-X will automatically send signals alerting the nearest airport and will land itself, even if its a non-approved airstrip.
Terrafugia says, operating the TF-X would be "statistically safer than driving a modern automobile"
The TF-X will even be capable of "automatically avoiding other air traffic, bad weather, and restricted and tower-controlled airspace."
Learning to operate the TF-X would take an average driver approximately five hours according to Terrafugia.
Terrafugia claims the TF-X will have a non-stop flight range of at least 500 miles.
While images till are renderings of the yet to be developed TF-X, the following images are of the Terrafugia Transition, which has already seen test flights.
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