Flying Car Passes First Flight Test 273
waderoush writes "Terrafugia — the Massachusetts company building a 'roadable aircraft' (that's flying car to you and me) — revealed at a press conference Wednesday that the Transition vehicle has been taken aloft for its maiden flight. The craft, which can fly up to 460 miles at 115 mph and then fold up its wings for 65-mph highway driving, was the subject of two hotly debated Slashdot posts on May 8 and May 13 of last year. The company said the first flight took place in Plattsburgh, NY; retired Air Force Colonel Phil Meteer was at the controls."
The future of the past (Score:5, Funny)
Flying cars, robot vacuum cleaners... the future of the mid 60's is getting closer every day!
Re:I've been patiently waiting for 35 years. (Score:4, Funny)
Every time I turn around I see another "flying car" that just can't get off the ground financially or technically.
That would make a great line in a song, sung in a monotone
It's a TRAP! (Score:5, Funny)
Transition® Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept.
TRAP Concept? Oh, sign me up!
Re:The future of the past (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I've been patiently waiting for 35 years. (Score:4, Funny)
I know at least one reporter [youtube.com] that's going to be thrilled...
Hmmm. Don't want one. (Score:3, Funny)
Think it'd have trouble towing my bass boat.
You want idiots in the air too? (Score:4, Funny)
While I am looking forward to a flying car, on the condition it doesn't consume more fuel that the current automobile, I can't wonder who will be driving those things. At least with current aviation you know that people have a pilot's license and have a certain sense of wanting to live, but if I look at some of the drivers around me when I drive, then I can't help wonder whether putting these people at the helm of a flying vehicle would be such a wise thing. Imagine:
normal:
- driving instructor: look left and right before entering the intersection
- ditsy learner: ooh look at the flowers
- driving instructor: watch out for the car!!!!
flying:
- driving instructor: look all around you before crossing the vertical air junction
- ditsy learner: ohh those cars look like ants
- driving instructor: keep your altitude!!!
Back to the Future (Score:4, Funny)
When does Top Gear get one? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Driver licensing? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Hmmm. Don't want one. (Score:3, Funny)
Think it'd have trouble towing my bass boat.
Yeah. Especially while in the air...
Re:I've been patiently waiting for 35 years. (Score:3, Funny)
Sikorsky S-61C. Room for the whole family. 7000 hours till next inspection. Only flown on Sundays. usd 2.4million cheap. No Dealers.
Re:I've been patiently waiting for 35 years. (Score:3, Funny)
Ah, but in order to enforce it properly, the police would have to be driving an automated car, too. That wouldn't make for a very interesting high speed chase.