Terrafugia Readies Flying Car for First Public Air Show

from wsj

By Jonathan Welsh

Terrafugia Inc.

Terrafugia Transition

Flying-car maker Terrafugia said its Transition vehicle will make a demonstration later this month during EAA AirVenture, an annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts and industry insiders in Oshkosh, Wisc.

The event, known by the airplane crowd simply as “Oshkosh,” will also mark the first public airshow appearance of the Transition, which can be driven on roads and highways like a car and flown off airport runways where other small aircraft operate. Its wings fold electrically for driving and extend for flight.

By flying the craft in front of a huge audience in a public setting, the Woburn, Mass., company is saying it is largely ready for prime time.

During the planned 20 minute demonstration, which is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31 just before sunset, the Transition prototype will unfold its wings, fly, land and make a driving pass in front of spectators. The twilight flight precedes a popular nighttime air show act, so Terrafugia expects a big crowd.

The vehicle has flown before, but only in private tests.

AirVenture, which many consider the king of general-aviation events, is run by the Experimental Aircraft Association, a group that advocates for private pilots including those who design and build their own aircraft. In some ways the new flying car taps into the organizations roots.

Last year Terrafugia skipped the Oshkosh show because it was busy putting the Transition through tests it needs for Federal Aviation Administration.