Terrafugia Transition: The Flying Car

The Terrafugia Transition, created by Carl Dietrich, can shift from driving to flying within 30 seconds. In that time, the Transition’s wings extend out and lock in, and the vehicle begins to lift off.

The Transition needs 1,700 feet to be able to make it into the air. Your standard license won’t be enough to operate this bad boy, though: You’ll need a light sport plane pilot license (at minimum) to be able to fly it.

The flying car operates on regular ol’ unleaded gas. It has a steering wheel as well as a telescopic stick and special rubber peddles surrounding the standard gas and brake controls.

Terrafugia expects to have the Transition on the market by the end of 2011, with a hefty pricetag of $194,000. The company tells CBS News about 40 people have already paid a $10,000 deposit to reserve their flying cars.

Flying Car Video

The following two Terrafugia flying car videos show the model in action. Ready to get behind the wheel/stick?

More on the Flying Car

Check out Terrafugia’s official site for more photos and details about the flying car.