Road car takes to the air

A production prototype of a flying car could add a whole new perspective on A-to-B motoring.

Thanks to changes in US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) rules back in 2004, prompted manufacturer Terrafugia to develop the Transition - a real-life Transformer which converts from a road car to an aircraft.

The FAA regulations meant changes in both pilot certification and light aircraft build standards which allowed Terrafugia to create its prototype.  The car/plane is not intended to take off while driving on a road - although this can't be ruled out.  The aim is for owners to leave home for their nearest public-use airfield - of which there are around 5000 across the US - drive through the gates, unfold the wings, line up on the runway and head for the skies.

With a maximum speed of 100mph (160km/h journeys will certainly not be at airline pace, but the benefit of as-the-crow-flies routes will certainly cut travelling times.  More importantly, should pilots encounter bad weather - often a problem that severely restricts amateur pilots - they can simply land at the nearest airfield and continue their journey by road.

Fuel economy is relatively good with stated consumption of 35mpg on the road and 20mpg once in the air.  Although not cheap at a likely retail price of $279,000, the fun factor is likely to go a long way towards taking the sting out of the cost.  Certainly, the 100 people that have already handed their $10,000 deposits to Terrafugia to secure their Transitions think so.