Amazing photos of the 'Flying Car'

Dream of a flying car could become a reality soon. An American company has developed a two-seat airplane with foldable wings, four wheels and turn signals that can be driven used both as an aeroplane as well as a car.

Let's have a look at this amazing innovation.

Photograph: Courtesy, www.terrafugia.com

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The Transition Street-Legal Airplane is now a significant step closer to being a commercial reality.

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The production prototype of the Transition Street-Legal Airplane completed its successful first flight at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, New York, on March 23, 2012.

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The same vehicle has also successfully conducted initial drive and conversion testing, demonstrating the Transition's capability to provide unmatched freedom, flexibility and fun in personal aviation.

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Developed by Terrafugia, Inc., the Transition is a two seat personal aircraft capable of driving on roads and highways, parking in a single car garage, and flying with unleaded automotive fuel.

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"The successful first flight of this Production Prototype Transition marks a critical move toward initial production and first delivery," said COO Anna Mracek Dietrich.

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The Production Prototype phase of the Transition programme follows Proof of Concept work which included a flying, driving Proof of Concept vehicle and was completed in 2009.

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The Production Prototype programme includes two vehicles and is being used to develop and inform the manufacturing tool-up and compliance programme necessary to begin commercial deliveries.

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Terrafugia will continue its testing programme in preparation for first delivery, which is expected to occur within the next year.

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Regarding this first flight, Terrafugia CEO/CTO and co-founder Carl Dietrich said: "The first flight of the Transition Production Prototype is a major milestone for Terrafugia."

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With this flight, the team demonstrated an ability to accomplish what had been called an impossible dream. We look forward to continuing to show that the challenges of bringing a practical street legal airplane to market can be overcome, he said.

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"This is a very exciting time for Terrafugia. We are on our way up - literally and figuratively," Dietrich said.

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The Transition's first flight reached an altitude of 1,400 above the ground and lasted eight minutes while staying in the vicinity of Plattsburgh International Airport.

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It demonstrated the controllability and safe operational characteristics of the aircraft.

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Six phases of flight testing are planned to continue development and demonstrate compliance to the Light Sport Aircraft standards.

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Speaking about the first flight, Terrafugia Chief Test Pilot Phil Meteer said: "It's a remarkable vehicle both on the road and, now, in the air."

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"When I drove it into the shop, literally from the road through the garage door, I was amazed that I had just flown it at Plattsburgh a few days before."

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A long-overdue mode of transportation and fun is just around the corner, he said.

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I can't wait for the upcoming flight tests and the chance to 'wring it out', demonstrating how safe and enjoyable the Transition is to fly, said Meteer.

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The Transition Production Prototype is on display at the New York International Auto Show April 6-15th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.

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Terrafugia, based in Woburn, MA, is a growing aerospace company founded by pilots and engineers from MIT and supported by a world-class network of advisors and private investors.

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The company's name is Latin for "escape the earth".

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Terrafugia's mission is to design and deliver revolutionary, practical air and land vehicles that provide freedom, flexibility and fun to their loyal customers.

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The Transition is classified as a Light Sport Aircraft.

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Taking advantage of new FAA regulations in the Light Sport Aircraft category, Terrafugia developed the Transition to provide pilots the convenience of a dual-purpose vehicle.

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Its unique design allows the Transition to fold its wings and drive on any surface road with a modern personal airplane platform.

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Once at the airport, the wings extend and the aircraft is ready for take-off. Both folding and extending the wings is done from inside the cockpit.

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The Transition addresses head-on the issues private and sports pilots face: cost, weather sensitivity, high overall door-to-door travel time and a lack of mobility at destination.

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In July of 2008 Terrafugia returned to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, with a completed Proof of Concept Transition vehicle.

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Powered testing of the Proof of Concept began in the second half of 2008.