Terrafugia Transition flying test flight in Feb 2009, booked by Indian businessman

The Terrafugia flying car may never be launched in India. No one even knows whether the car really would be all that promises. Nevertheless, the Terrafugia Transition has caught the fancy of many a millionaire. And one from India too.

Update: Terrafugia Transition first flight successful! Click through for more

Photo: Terrafugia Transition test flight in feb 2009

The Terrafugia Transition will have its first test flight in february 2009. If all goes well, the flying car would be launched in 18 months from now. A businessman from Rajkot, named Subash Shihora, could be the first Indian to be on the cockpit of the first ever flying car being made in the US. The businessman who is one of the 40 who have placed orders for the Terrafugia Transition is now taking flying lessons. Shihora is the chief executive officer of Urok International, a consultancy firm.

The terrafugia Transition flying car is a two-seater plane that can be converted into an automobile at the touch of a button. Christened Terrafugia Transition has been developed by a Massachusetts-based company at an estimateed price of US $ 200,000.

No one really expects any flying car to solve all the traffic problems in the world – most likely, they will remain curiosities. Nevertheless, a generation weaned on animated sci-fi cartoons have no choice but to love the idea of a flying car.

The twin-seater road car has the capability of transforming itself into a plane within 15 seconds and vice versa. Buyers of the Shihora Terrafugia Transition would need to own a driving license as well as the license to fly planes.

According to the maker of the flying car, the Terrafugia Transition would be a personal air vehicle designed to change configurations, enabling it to operate as a traditional road vehicle as well as a general aviation airplane. The Terrafugia Transition would come equipped with automated folding wings and would fly at a speed of 90 miles per hour. It would boast of a flight range of 100 miles at a cruising speed of 150 miles per hour.

Terrafugia Transition woud use the same engine in both modes, and would be fueled with standard unleaded gasoline, for road travel as well as flight.

Terrafugia, a company formed in 2006 by a group of MIT students, has already taken deposits for more than 40 flying cars. Deliveries woul begin in 2010. Meanwhile the wquestion remains as to whether the rules for this vehicle would be set by the civil aviation department in India. If the regulations are not put in place, Indian buyers would have more work to do on that front.

DO hang in there for more info on the test flight of the Terrafugia Transition. We will certainly bring you complete information on the flight and hopefully, a pile of photos of the first 21st century flying car!