Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Russian dash cam catches horrific high-flying accident]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/russian-dash-cam-catches-horrific-high-flying-accident/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/russian-dash-cam-catches-horrific-high-flying-accident/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/russian-dash-cam-catches-horrific-high-flying-accident/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Russian dashcam captures high-flying Opel Zafira fatal accident - video screencap

You just never know what your dash cam is going to capture on an average day in Russia. Take these drivers, who were motoring along in the Russian city of Dyatkovo, minding their own business, when out of nowhere, an Opel Zafira took off like a 747 leaving LaGuardia.

Reports stemming from the incident claim that the driver lost control of his vehicle after its front-left tire blew. He then drove into oncoming traffic and crashed into a fence where the vehicle was launched high into the air, a rapidly escalating series of events caught on the video available below.

Unfortunately, we can't tell you that the driver miraculously escaped this remarkable accident with just cuts and bruises. The report translated from Russian tells us the 30-year-old driver died at the scene from his injuries, and his passenger is still being treated for life-threatening injuries at the Central Regional Hospital in Dyatkovo.

Continue reading Russian dash cam catches horrific high-flying accident

Russian dash cam catches horrific high-flying accident originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dash camdashcamdyatkovoflying caropel zafirarussian dash camvideoMon, 20 May 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20576229/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/russian-dash-cam-catches-horrific-high-flying-accident/20576229/article-detail.xml 20576229 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dash-cam-flying-car_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/russian-dash-cam-flying-car.jpg <![CDATA[Flying car falls from sky and crashes [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/flying-car-falls-from-sky-and-crashes-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/flying-car-falls-from-sky-and-crashes-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/flying-car-falls-from-sky-and-crashes-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Flying cars aren't on their way, flying cars are here. If we're going to see more of them in the air above us, we're also going to see more images like the one above, in which a Maverick flying car has crash landed in a tree. We wrote about the Maverick in 2010 and the reverse-prop-driven buggy with the removable parasail was certified airworthy by the FAA in June of that year. In this incident the pilot, Ray Siebring, said he was coming in for a landing at the airport in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada when his flying car suddenly made a sharp left turn into three descending spirals.

By the time Siebring stopped the spiraling he was so low that all he could do was mitigate the crash. Noticing an empty school field below, he managed to power up and get the vehicle down just beyond the school ground, through some fencing and into a tree. Neither Siebring nor his passenger was seriously injured.

If you want to see how the Maverick usually works, check out the video below of it making a coffee run.

Continue reading Flying car falls from sky and crashes [w/video]

Flying car falls from sky and crashes [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 May 2013 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentcrashflying carmaverickmaverick flying carray siebringwreckSun, 12 May 2013 18:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20565883/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/12/flying-car-falls-from-sky-and-crashes-w-video/20565883/article-detail.xml 20565883 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/flying-car-crash_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/flying-car-crash.jpg <![CDATA[Terrafugia envisions plans for vertical-takeoff flying car [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/terrafugia-envisions-plans-for-vertical-takeoff-flying-car-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/terrafugia-envisions-plans-for-vertical-takeoff-flying-car-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/terrafugia-envisions-plans-for-vertical-takeoff-flying-car-w-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Terrafugia TF-X rendering

It's hard to forget a company like Terrafugia - mostly because it won't let us. Every six months or so, the Massachusetts-based self-proclaimed aerospace company makes headlines with a flying car concept. It's first attempt, called the Transition, was a folding low-wing propeller-driven pusher aircraft with a water-cooled combustion engine. Despite its ungainliness, it has flown, but only in prototype form, and despite its long gestation period and a reported 100 reservations on the books, certification and production is moving at a snail's pace.

Yet push those negative thoughts aside and make room in your fantasy warehouse for Terrafugia's followup act, a vertical-takeoff (VTOL) plug-in hybrid-electric flying car. Promised to be much more advanced than its predecessor, the all-new TF-X would be fitted with modern state-of-the-art intelligent systems and fly-by-wire controls, says the company. Its design, with vertical take-off transitioning into horizontal flight, would provide safe, simple and convenient autonomous flight that would help alleviate today's congestion and other transportation challenges.

Rather than dwell on the implications of electric range-anxiety while cruising at 20,000 feet with your family on board, or how you will prevent your inattentive friends from walking into its low-slung whirling rotors, open your mind and watch the company's computer-generated video down below showing how a typical flight would theoretically unfold.

Continue reading Terrafugia envisions plans for vertical-takeoff flying car [w/video]

Terrafugia envisions plans for vertical-takeoff flying car [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 May 2013 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying carhybrid flying carterrafugiaterrafugia tf-xtf-xvtol flying carWed, 08 May 2013 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20560074/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/terrafugia-envisions-plans-for-vertical-takeoff-flying-car-w-vi/20560074/article-detail.xml 20560074 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tf-x-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tf-x-628.jpg <![CDATA[An update on Terrafugia's flying car, one year after its NY debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/an-update-on-terrafugias-flying-car-one-year-after-its-ny-debu/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/an-update-on-terrafugias-flying-car-one-year-after-its-ny-debu/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/an-update-on-terrafugias-flying-car-one-year-after-its-ny-debu/#commentsFiled under: , ,



One of the idiosyncratic stars of the 2012 New York Auto Show, just about one year ago, was the Terrafugia Transition. Proposing to bring the long-dreamed-of flying car to the masses - well, "masses" of people that can pick up a $279,000 check, at any rate - news about the Terrafugia has been pretty thin in the intervening 12 months. The good news, we hear, is that the paucity of press releases has been a result of the company working hard on bringing the Transition to market.

AOL Autos reports that the folks at Terrafugia are hard at work with the dual certification process that makes the vehicle such a complex one to bring to market. Having already cleared the hurdle of obtaining a VIN from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as an N-number from the Federal Aviation Administration (both achieved by way of the Transition prototype), the company must now have the vehicle completely certified by NHTSA. The FAA doesn't require certification for craft that fall into the "light sport" category, like the Transition, but the company is prepping for likely audits of its manufacturing and risk-management processes, nevertheless.

Terrafugia won't discuss exactly when its flying car might start actual production; at least not until the certification process has been completed. With that goal post still being a year or more out, don't expect to see your neighbor winging home in his Transition anytime soon. When production does begin (fingers crossed), the company expects to ramp slowly, building just two or three vehicles per month in the early going. Scroll down to watch the original debut video of the Transition.

Continue reading An update on Terrafugia's flying car, one year after its NY debut

An update on Terrafugia's flying car, one year after its NY debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying carnew york auto showterrafugiaterrafugia transitionFri, 05 Apr 2013 10:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20530217/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/an-update-on-terrafugias-flying-car-one-year-after-its-ny-debu/20530217/article-detail.xml 20530217 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/terrafugia-flying-car-628_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/terrafugia-flying-car-628.png <![CDATA[Ultralight makes a runway-free gas and go]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/ultralight-makes-a-runway-free-gas-and-go/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/ultralight-makes-a-runway-free-gas-and-go/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/ultralight-makes-a-runway-free-gas-and-go/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ultralight at a fuel station

We will never stop being bitter about the lack of flying cars in our personal lives. It's not that we trust the drivers on the road with us to have yet another axis of travel to concern themselves with, but rather that we've been promised personal flying transportation our entire lives.

One ultralight pilot seems to have taken matters into his own hands, by stopping at a standard fuel station to top off his tanks. After he's finished at the pumps, he simply fires up his engine, taxis to the highway and takes off into the wild blue yonder.

Is the move safe? Probably not, but the path to excellence is often littered with danger. You can watch the whole show in the video below for yourself. As for us, we're going to start shopping for a personal aircraft of our very own.

Continue reading Ultralight makes a runway-free gas and go

Ultralight makes a runway-free gas and go originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying cargas stationultralightvideoWed, 20 Feb 2013 19:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20467572/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/20/ultralight-makes-a-runway-free-gas-and-go/20467572/article-detail.xml 20467572 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/ultralight-at-a-fuel-station-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/ultralight-at-a-fuel-station-628.jpg <![CDATA[Terrafugia flying car completes first round of test flights]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/terrafugia-flying-car-completes-first-round-of-test-flights/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/terrafugia-flying-car-completes-first-round-of-test-flights/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/terrafugia-flying-car-completes-first-round-of-test-flights/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

terrafugia flying car at new york show

The Terrafugia Transition flying car is closer to becoming a real road-going reality. The Transition finished its first round of Federal Aviation Administration certification flight tests (there are five more rounds to go) at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York, and is headed for on-road drive testing.

It's another small step toward the flying cars we've been promised since at least the halcyon days of the "better living through technology" 1950s. The Transition was supposed to start deliveries by the end of this year at a cost under $200,000. The price has swollen to around $279,000 and while Terrafugia is happy to accept your deposit, expect at least a year or two before taking delivery. Still, if you have the money and an desire to be Elroy Jetson, it looks like you may eventually get your wish.

Terrafugia flying car completes first round of test flights originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying carterrafugia faaterrafugia flying carterrafugia test flightterrafugia transitionSat, 30 Jun 2012 18:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20269268/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/30/terrafugia-flying-car-completes-first-round-of-test-flights/20269268/article-detail.xml 20269268 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/terrafugia_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/terrafugia.jpg <![CDATA[Terrafugia Transition 'Flying Car' offers serious hang time, but leaves us clouded [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/terrafugia-transition-flying-car-2012-new-york/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/terrafugia-transition-flying-car-2012-new-york/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/terrafugia-transition-flying-car-2012-new-york/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Terrafugia Transition Flying Car - Live at New York Auto Show unveiling

Visitors to the New York Auto Show will be able to take a closer look at the Terrafugia Transition 'Flying Car,' just days after the company's prototype made its first flight. The two-place airworthy machine is perhaps best considered a roadgoing low-wing aircraft (not a 'flying car'), as its technical specifications are anything but earthly.

For starters, the curb weight of the composite and aluminum Transition is just 970 pounds, with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 pounds (useful load is 460 pounds). It is powered by a 1.4-liter Rotax 912ULS, a water-cooled flat-four developing 100 horsepower.

In aircraft mode, the thick automated electromechanical folding wings open and a gearbox transfers power to a four-bladed pusher propeller just behind the cockpit. Top speed in the non-pressurized Transition is about 115 mph, with a flying range of just over 400 miles. In terrestrial mode, with the wings folded and a license plate hanging in the slipstream, power is sent to the rear wheels and the top speed falls to just 65 mph. Fuel economy is about 35 mpg, with an on-road range in excess of 600 miles.

According to Woburn, Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, the company has more than 100 reservations for this novel contraption. If you have Popular Science dreams, get out your thickest checkbook, as the current anticipated base purchase price is a lofty $279,000.

Continue reading Terrafugia Transition 'Flying Car' offers serious hang time, but leaves us clouded [w/video]

Terrafugia Transition 'Flying Car' offers serious hang time, but leaves us clouded [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying automobileflying carnew yorknew york 2012new york auto showrotaxterrafugiaterrafugia transitionThu, 05 Apr 2012 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20209210/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/05/terrafugia-transition-flying-car-2012-new-york/20209210/article-detail.xml 20209210 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/terrafugia-flying-car-ny_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/terrafugia-flying-car-ny.jpg <![CDATA[Watch the PAL-V flying car prototype make its maiden flight]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/watch-the-pal-v-flying-car-prototype-make-its-maiden-flight/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/watch-the-pal-v-flying-car-prototype-make-its-maiden-flight/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/watch-the-pal-v-flying-car-prototype-make-its-maiden-flight/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

PAL-V Flying copter screencap

The PAL-V One is a Dutch take on the flying car, and whereas its Terrafugia contemporary is more like a plane you can drive, the PAL-V One (Personal Air and Land Vehicle) is perhaps more accurately called a driving gyrocopter. According to the company, this flying Dutchman can reach terrestrial speeds of 112 miles per hour and its fuel economy checks in at 28 miles per gallon on the ground. Then once you've found a suitable place to take off, you unfold the auto-rotating main rotor, the gas-engine powered propeller extends, and you can take to the air. Max airspeed is also 112 mph, and airborn range is listed at 220-315 miles.

The PAL-V One has finished its maiden flight and is now working to secure investors for the commercialization phase - the company hopes to start delivering production models in 2014. Scroll below to watch video of the PAL-V one in action on its maiden voyage.

Continue reading Watch the PAL-V flying car prototype make its maiden flight

Watch the PAL-V flying car prototype make its maiden flight originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying cargyrocopterpal-vpal-v 1pal-v onevideoThu, 05 Apr 2012 14:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20207270/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/05/watch-the-pal-v-flying-car-prototype-make-its-maiden-flight/20207270/article-detail.xml 20207270 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/palvtest_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/palvtest.jpg <![CDATA[Is this the world's first flying car drive-in?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/is-this-the-worlds-first-flying-car-drive-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/is-this-the-worlds-first-flying-car-drive-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/29/is-this-the-worlds-first-flying-car-drive-in/#commentsFiled under: ,

flying cars at Oshkosh soda fountain

Once upon a time ice cream was delivered in trucks to happy buyers. Then the people drove to the ice cream shop with curbside service. But back in those wonder years, the dream was that one day we'd zip over to the soda fountain in flying cars.

Though people have never stopped trying to make a flying car, that dream never seemed to have taken off, even after decades have passed. To whit, the notion has become something of an item of nostalgia, and at the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a group of flying car enthusiasts gathered for some frozen treats and bygone dreams at a local retro malt shop. Follow the jump to watch the video footage.

Continue reading Is this the world's first flying car drive-in?

Is this the world's first flying car drive-in? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerocarair cardrive-ineaaeaa airventureflying carice creamice cream fountainnostalgiaoshkoshretrowisconsinFri, 29 Jul 2011 11:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20002525/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/29/is-this-the-worlds-first-flying-car-drive-in/20002525/article-detail.xml 20002525 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/oshkosh-flying-cars_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/oshkosh-flying-cars.jpg <![CDATA[Burt Rutan designs hybrid flying car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/26/burt-rutan-designs-hybrid-flying-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/26/burt-rutan-designs-hybrid-flying-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/26/burt-rutan-designs-hybrid-flying-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rutan Design Model 367 Bipod

There have been a lot of tries at making a functional flying car over the years, but things haven't really gotten off the ground yet, considering we aren't all bopping from place to place like George Jetson. Burt Rutan from Scaled Composites has taken a new stab at a workable flying car with the Rutan Designs Model 367 "Bipod."

It's a bi-pod airplane with a 31-foot wingspan when you want it to be, and a seven-foot-wide, deliciously odd grocery getter when you don't. There's a lot that's novel about the design, including its Chevrolet Volt-like gasoline generator powering electric motors that makes up its propulsion system.

Rutan also addressed the problem of unifying car and airplane controls by putting each set of controls in a separate pod. On the right, you have a yoke for when you're airborne. On the left, the controls for travel on terra firma.

The Model 367 cruises at 100 miles per hour, and has an estimated range of 760 miles. Push it, and you can hit 200, but that knocks your range down to just 530 miles. For what it's worth, Rutan says this will be his last project before his previously announced retirement goes into effect. See the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Burt Rutan designs hybrid flying car

Burt Rutan designs hybrid flying car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bipodburt rutanburt rutan bipodflying carrutan designrutan design model 367scaled compositesscaled composites bipodTue, 26 Jul 2011 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19999055/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/26/burt-rutan-designs-hybrid-flying-car/19999055/article-detail.xml 19999055 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/burt-rutan-flying-car_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/burt-rutan-flying-car.jpg <![CDATA[Terrafugia flying car gets DOT exception but faces delays]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/06/terrafugia-flying-car-gets-dot-exception-but-faces-delays/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/06/terrafugia-flying-car-gets-dot-exception-but-faces-delays/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/06/terrafugia-flying-car-gets-dot-exception-but-faces-delays/#commentsFiled under: ,

terrafugia flying car

Terrafugia has moved one step closer to bringing the world a flying "car". The Department of Transportation has granted the company a host of exemptions needed to get the Terrafugia Transition ready for the road. The plane/car-hybrid already employs a gaggle of automotive crash technology, such as crumple zones and airbags, but it needed help moving past a few of the standard car requirements that just don't work for something with wings.

A special set of tires are fitted to the Transition, which is rated for highway speeds, but it's also designed to take the abuse that comes with multiple takeoffs and landings. Additionally, the cockpit is not wrapped with traditional laminated automotive glass. That would add weight, and also severely affect the pilot's vision in the event of a bird strike. Polycarbonate windows are the preferred porthole material.

The DOT and NHTSA exemptions are a positive step forward for Terrafugia. Unfortunately, the company has experienced a half-step backwards. A few design issues coupled with third-party supply restraints have pushed Transition production backwards. Initially, Terrafugia hoped to display a production Transition in 2011. Now, however, it seems that 2012 will be the year for our Jetson's dreams to inch closer to reality. In the interim, we'll have to be happy renaming our Roomba, Rosie.

Terrafugia flying car gets DOT exception but faces delays originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department of transportationdotflying carnhtsaterrafugiaterrafugia transitiontransition flying carWed, 06 Jul 2011 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19981814/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/06/terrafugia-flying-car-gets-dot-exception-but-faces-delays/19981814/article-detail.xml 19981814 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/001terrafugiatrans_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/001terrafugiatrans.jpg <![CDATA[Video: FAA certifies missionary's Subaru-powered flying car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/video-faa-certifies-missionarys-subaru-powered-flying-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/video-faa-certifies-missionarys-subaru-powered-flying-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/28/video-faa-certifies-missionarys-subaru-powered-flying-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Maverick flying car
Missionary Steve Saint and his FAA Certified Flying Car - Click above to watch video after the jump

Some folks don't have the time to sit around and wait for Terrafugia to produce a flying car. Steve Saint is a missionary and the head of I-TEC, a non-profit company that provides technology and training to the indigenous Waodani Indians of Ecuador. He needed a way to get in and out of remote Amazon areas, and a flying car would certainly do the job. Saint decided to build one himself, and it just received FAA Certification.

The car, called Maverick, is a buggy of sorts that is powered by a 250-horsepower Subaru engine. The car is light, so that's enough power to propel it from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds. When Saint wants to take to the air, he raises a 25 foot mast that locks a parachute in place, then he flips one switch, which connects the engine to the large propeller at the rear of the vehicle. The Maverick is now ready to soar through the sky.

Saint may use the Maverick to assist the Waodani tribe, but he insists that there are many other uses for flying cars, and that they could prove to be a useful tool for a wide range of commercial applications. I-TEC believes it can built around 100 cars per year and that they should cost around $80,000.

Engage your mast and parachute to fly over the jump and check out the Maverick in action.

[Source: CNN]

Continue reading Video: FAA certifies missionary's Subaru-powered flying car

Video: FAA certifies missionary's Subaru-powered flying car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecuadorfaafaa certificationflying cari-teci-tec maverickmissionarysteve saintsubaruterrafugiathe maverickwaodani indiansThu, 28 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19692375/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/28/video-faa-certifies-missionarys-subaru-powered-flying-car/19692375/article-detail.xml 19692375 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/flyingcar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/flyingcar.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Terrafugia flying car to start production by end of year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/10/terrafugia-flying-car-to-start-production-by-end-of-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/10/terrafugia-flying-car-to-start-production-by-end-of-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/10/terrafugia-flying-car-to-start-production-by-end-of-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Terrafugia Transition flying car
Terrafugia Transition flying car - Click above for high-res image gallery

Terrafugia, the Massachusetts-based flying car company, has announced that it is one step closer to putting a road-and-air-going flying car in your driveway. A suitable production facility has been located in Woburn, MA, just down the road from the company's headquarters. A story posted on USAToday.com states that production could begin within three months, and that Terrafugia plans to hire 50 skilled workers over a period of three years. Extensive testing will begin on two prototypes - one will focus on flight behavior while the other will stick to the ground. If that's the case, three months seems pretty optimistic.

Regardless, we are getting closer to realizing many a young person's dream. A flying car evokes romantic visions of picking up a date then soaring through the clouds. Sure, the styling of the Terrafugia Transition is a cross between a PT Cruiser and a Paul Walker Pep Boys special, and yes, we are also aware that the skies will eventually become clogged with traffic and flying down the Air-405 will be a nightmare. Still, it's not often you get to see a childhood fantasy come to life.


Gallery: Terrafugia Transition - First Flight


[Source: USA Today]

Report: Terrafugia flying car to start production by end of year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying carMassachusettspaul walkerPep BoysPT Cruiserterrafugiaterrafugia flying carTerrafugia transitiontransitiontransition flying carFri, 10 Sep 2010 17:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19628617/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/10/terrafugia-flying-car-to-start-production-by-end-of-year/19628617/article-detail.xml 19628617 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/001terrafugiatrans_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/001terrafugiatrans.jpg <![CDATA[Where are the flying cars we were promised? <i>Popular Mechanics</i> thinks it has the answer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/where-are-the-flying-cars-we-were-promised-popular-mechanics/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/where-are-the-flying-cars-we-were-promised-popular-mechanics/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/where-are-the-flying-cars-we-were-promised-popular-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: ,

Terrafugia Transition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Surely, you're familiar with the Jetsons, the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon world from the 1960s that was said to take place in the year 2062. Too futuristic for your blood? How about Ridley's Scott's Blade Runner, which starred Harrison Ford and was supposed to show life in the year 2019? And then there's Back to the Future II, which is even closer to our modern day, depicting life at 2015.

What's the constant in all of these retro-futuristic takes on what tomorrow may hold? Hoverboards. Flying cars. We're not sure about you, but we don't see no stinkin' flying cars floating down our streets. So, what gives? Besides reality, of course. Well... actually, reality is the key. The problem with flying cars from 50 years ago all the way until today remains the same: because the machine needs to operate just as capably in the sky as on the ground, compromises have to be made.

Compromises don't exactly equal success in the automotive or airplane marketplace. To meet government regulations, an automobile must pass a stringent series of safety and environmental tests, and the same is true for airplanes. Needless to say, then, combining the two is pretty darn difficult to accomplish. That said, Popular Mechanics has found reason to be excited about the prospect of the Terrafugia flying car. If that's a topic that interests you, we suggest you click here to read all about it.


Gallery: Terrafugia Transition Flying Car


[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Where are the flying cars we were promised? Popular Mechanics thinks it has the answer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carflyingflying carflying carsFlyingCarFlyingCarsterrafugiaTerrafugia transitionTerrafugiaTransitionThu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19572617/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/29/where-are-the-flying-cars-we-were-promised-popular-mechanics/19572617/article-detail.xml 19572617 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-terra-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-terra-630.jpg <![CDATA[Maverick flying car can actually fly, and you'll never be without a parachute]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/30/maverick-flying-car-can-actually-fly-and-youll-never-be-withou/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/30/maverick-flying-car-can-actually-fly-and-youll-never-be-withou/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/30/maverick-flying-car-can-actually-fly-and-youll-never-be-withou/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

i-tec Mavric flying buggy - Click above for high-res image gallery

In a lot of ways, we've been shortchanged on the transportation front. We were supposed to be jetting around in flying cars by the year 2000, but unfortunately, our vehicles remain firmly bolted the ground below them. At least for now. A company by the name of i-tec is out to build and sell an off-road vehicle capable of taking to the skies in a bid to bring missionaries to the far-flung reaches of the Amazon. Called the Mavric, the buggy weighs a heady 1,100 lbs, but manages to get off the ground thanks to a massive, carbon-fiber blade reverse-prop 128-horsepower engine and an ultra-light style airfoil.

The FAA has granted the Mavric experimental status, and the i-tec crew has been putting the buggy through its paces. While the company specifically wants to use its invention to buzz around in the rain forest, it also has an eye on selling its flying off-roader to companies that spend time inspecting expanses of pipe or fence in unruly terrain. We just want one to use to terrorize our neighborhood.


Gallery: i-tec Mavric


[Source: i-tec]

Maverick flying car can actually fly, and you'll never be without a parachute originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Flying BuggyFlying CarFlying CarsFlyingBuggyFlyingCarFlyingCarsi-teci-tec MavricI-tecMavricMavricWed, 30 Jun 2010 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19533361/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/30/maverick-flying-car-can-actually-fly-and-youll-never-be-withou/19533361/article-detail.xml 19533361 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-itec-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-itec-630.jpg <![CDATA[Terrafugia Transition flying "car" gets special FAA exemption, sees clear skies ahead?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/29/terrafugia-transition-flying-plane-gets-special-faa-exemption-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/29/terrafugia-transition-flying-plane-gets-special-faa-exemption-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/29/terrafugia-transition-flying-plane-gets-special-faa-exemption-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Terrafugia Transition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another day, another flying car, right? According to The Daily Telegraph, the FAA has just awarded the Terrafugia Transition an exemption which will allow the 1,440-pound car/aircraft hybrid to fly under a "light sport" designation, even though it hits the scales at a hefty 120 lbs. more than the rules allow. A light sport pilot license only requires 20 hours of seat time - far less than what a full license would demand.

Designed to be a viable piece of transportation that's just as happy in the air as it is on the ground, the Transition comes loaded with all of the safety goodies of your standard economy car - airbags and crumple zones come standard. While Terrafugia hasn't exactly said what kind of top speed the Transition can carry on terra firma, it does say the craft gets around 30 mpg when scooting around town.

Should the weather turn sunny and the skies grow clear, however, the Transition can lower its wings, fire up a rear-mounted propeller and take to the air where it can carry a top speed of around 115 mph with a range of 460 miles. Not too shabby. The little carplane only requires an air strip of around 1/3 of a mile, and with its wings folded, can comfortably fit in any garage. Final MSRP is expected to be around $194,000.


Gallery: Terrafugia Transition Flying Car


[Source: The Daily Telegraph | Images: Terrafugia]

Terrafugia Transition flying "car" gets special FAA exemption, sees clear skies ahead? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carplaneFAAfederal aviation administrationFederalAviationAdministrationflying carFlyingCarLight Sportlight sport aircraftLightSportLightSportAircraftTerrafugiaTerrafugia TransitionTerrafugiaTransitionTransitionTue, 29 Jun 2010 13:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19535206/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/29/terrafugia-transition-flying-plane-gets-special-faa-exemption-s/19535206/article-detail.xml 19535206 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-terra-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/01-terra-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Washington starting its own "Transformer" program]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/03/report-washington-starting-its-own-transformers-program/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/03/report-washington-starting-its-own-transformers-program/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/03/report-washington-starting-its-own-transformers-program/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

George Jetson's carThe obvious glib commentary here would invoke Optimus Prime, or something. Instead, we're going to digress momentarily and say that the best kind of transformer involves an LP record and an SL1200. Either way, DARPA has its own transforming going on. The Pentagon's latest initiative has been dubbed Transformer, and it aims to make the prognostications of 1955 come true - flying cars and all. (Bonus points for DARPA if they can get them to fold up neatly into briefcases.)

Pushing military technology is the purpose; the primary goal is a vehicle capable of both driving on the road and flying. Such abilities would allow the vehicle to cross difficult terrain more efficiently, especially considering the vertical take off and landing capability the design brief calls for. Other bullet points include low cost and maximal military utility.

Flying cars have been developed before, all with some level of compromise. Even now, there's the Moller SkyCar, and the Terrafugia Transition; both are nearing feasible production, albeit with large, six-figure price tags. If you've developed a car to fly over traffic jams like we all wish for, you've got less than a week to register with DARPA for the January 14th kickoff.

[Source: Inside Line | Image: Hanna-Barbera]

Report: Washington starting its own "Transformer" program originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darpadarpa transformerDarpaTransformerflying carflying carsFlyingCarFlyingCarsmoller skycarMollerSkycarproject transformerProjectTransformerterrafugiaTerrafugia transitionTerrafugiaTransitionSun, 03 Jan 2010 09:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19300220/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/03/report-washington-starting-its-own-transformers-program/19300220/article-detail.xml 19300220 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/jetsons_car_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/jetsons_car.jpg <![CDATA[Biofuel Skycar headed for production in 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/biofuel-skycar-headed-for-production-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/biofuel-skycar-headed-for-production-in-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/biofuel-skycar-headed-for-production-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Parajet Skycar prototypes - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year, the Parajet Skycar Expedition, featuring the "World's First Bio-fuelled Flying Car," flew from London, England to Timbuktu in Mali, Africa. If you lusted over something so incredibly cool - a car that can transform from ground to air mode in about three minutes and actually works in both areas, then we've got good news for you: Parajet International Ltd has struck a deal to produce road-legal SkyCars with Rage Motorsport Ltd.

Rage will build the vehicle and Parajet will add all the parts that make it fly. A mock-up of the vehicle is pictured here, but Parajet says a "totally new chassis is being designed for the SkyCar which accommodates the rear fan system into the tubular chassis work." This will reduce weight by about 80 kg (176 lbs). Other changes are to include a re-positioned rear parachute, more legroom and a three-cylinder, 140 horsepower fuel-injected Yamaha engine. How long will you have to wait for one? Parajet says test flights of the skycar should happen this September and the release date could be early 2010.

Watch a CNN-produced video of the Skycar in action after the jump.


Gallery: Biofueled Skycar


[Sources: Parajet Ltd; CNN.com]

Continue reading Biofuel Skycar headed for production in 2010

Biofuel Skycar headed for production in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying autoflying carflying carsFlyingAutoFlyingCarFlyingCarsparajetskycarFri, 17 Apr 2009 13:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1520266/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/17/biofuel-skycar-headed-for-production-in-2010/1520266/article-detail.xml 1520266 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/silverparajetskycar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/silverparajetskycar.jpg <![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: One of six Aerocars ever made]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/02/ebay-find-of-the-day-one-of-six-aerocars-ever-made/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/02/ebay-find-of-the-day-one-of-six-aerocars-ever-made/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/02/ebay-find-of-the-day-one-of-six-aerocars-ever-made/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for more shots of the Aerocar in eBay

Now here's something you just don't see every day. In fact, we'd wager most people will never see an original Aerocar in person at all, considering that only six were ever made. Now that one has managed to pop up on eBay Motors, this could be your chance to own a small piece of history. Built in 1956, this red and black Aerocar hasn't been flown since the late '70s, but looks to have been stored properly and appears to be in remarkably good shape.

Powered by a single Lycoming engine offering up 135 horses, the Aerocar is capable of hitting 112 miles per hour in the air and about half that on the tarmac. The whole kit was an amazing when it was designed in the 1940s with its front-wheel drive chassis propping up foldable wings that are towed behind when not needed along with a rear-mounted detachable pusher prop. The transformation from automobile to airplane reportedly takes one man just five minutes to complete.

Such a unique and historically significant machine isn't going to come cheap. In the case of the Aerocar, a cool $3.5 mil is all that's required to fly drive trailer it home for yourself. To quote Dr. Jones, this thing belongs in a museum.

Gallery: 1956 Aerocar on eBay


[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: One of six Aerocars ever made originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerocarebay aerocarEbayAerocarflying carflying car ebayflying carsFlyingCarFlyingCarEbayFlyingCarsTue, 02 Dec 2008 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1387994/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/02/ebay-find-of-the-day-one-of-six-aerocars-ever-made/1387994/article-detail.xml 1387994 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/aerocar_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/aerocar_450.jpg <![CDATA[New York 2008: Milner Motors AirCar lands in Javits Center]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/new-york-2008-milner-motors-shows-flying-electric-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/new-york-2008-milner-motors-shows-flying-electric-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/20/new-york-2008-milner-motors-shows-flying-electric-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the flying car from Milner

Our environmentally-attuned brethren at AutoblogGreen pointed us into the lower hall of the Javits Center to check out something they knew we'd love. After wading through the trucks and specialty makers on hand, we reached the Milner Motors booth. To one side was the Milner Motors ElectriCar. Across from it was the Milner Motors AirCar, which was what we came to see. Essentially the same as its electric vehicle, the flying car adds a set of wings and twin engine nacelles that theoretically supply enough thrust and lift for 1,000 miles of flight at 200 MPH. When earthbound, the wing package folds up and the car's 40-hp electric motor powers it up to 85 mph thanks to its light weight and great aerodynamics (the cd is only .209). This particular one is a non-functioning prototype, but we think we'll toss it off the roof of the Empire State building to test its glide prowess. We can only guess how much fun this thing might be if we could figure out a way to use those jet engines and their extra 300 hp to power this 1,800 lb. missle on the ground.

Gallery: Milner Motors AirCar

New York 2008: Milner Motors AirCar lands in Javits Center originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying carflying carsFlyingCarFlyingCarsmilner motorsMilnerMotorsnew yorknew york 2008new york auto showNewYorkNewYork2008NewYorkAutoShowThu, 20 Mar 2008 14:39:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1144986/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/20/new-york-2008-milner-motors-shows-flying-electric-car/1144986/article-detail.xml 1144986 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/milnerelectricar_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/milnerelectricar_450.jpg -1 2