Terrafugia Transition

Transition
Production Prototype of Terrafugia Transition at the N.Y. Int'l Auto Show in April 2012
Role Flying car
Manufacturer Terrafugia
First flight March 5, 2009[1]
Introduction In development since 2006, prototype unveiled in 2009
Number built 2[2]
Unit cost
US$279,000[3]

The Terrafugia Transition is a light sport, roadable airplane under development by Terrafugia since 2006.[4]

The Rotax 912ULS[5] piston engine powered, carbon-fiber vehicle is planned to have a flight range of 425 nmi (489 mi; 787 km) using either automotive premium grade unleaded gasoline or 100LL avgas and a cruising flight speed of 93 kn (107 mph; 172 km/h). Equipment includes a Dynon Skyview glass panel avionics system, an airframe parachute, and an optional autopilot.[6]

On the road, it can drive up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h)[7] with normal traffic. The Transition Production Prototype's folded dimensions of 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) high, 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) wide and 18 ft 9 in (5.72 m) long are designed to fit within a standard household garage. When operated as a car, the engine power take-off near the propeller engages a variable-diameter pulley CVT automatic transmission to send power to the trailing-suspension mounted rear wheels via half-shafts powering belt drives.[8] In flight, the engine drives a pusher propeller. The Transition has folding wings, pusher propeller and twin tail.

Design and development

The experimental Transition Proof of Concept's first flight in March 2009 was successful and took place at Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York using U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tail number N302TF. First customer delivery, as of March 2009, was originally planned to take approximately 18 months and occur in 2011.[1][9][10]

On July 1, 2010 it was announced that the Terrafugia Transition had been granted an exemption from the FAA concerning its Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) allowing the Transition to be certified with a take-off weight up to 1,430 pounds (650 kg); the limit matches the MTOW for amphibious light-sport aircraft.[11] The extra 110 pounds (50 kg) granted by the exemption provides more weight allowance for the mandatory road safety features such as airbags and bumpers.[11][12]

Oshkosh July 2008, Proof of Concept
Oshkosh July 2011, Production Prototype

The proposed design of the production version was made public at AirVenture Oshkosh on July 26, 2010.[13] Aerodynamic changes revealed included a new, optimized airfoil, Hoerner wingtips, and removal of the canard after it was found to have an adverse aerodynamic interaction with the front wheel suspension struts; furthermore, the multipurpose passenger vehicle classification from the NHTSA removed the requirement for a full width bumper that had inspired the original canard design.[14]

On November 16, 2010 the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published Terrafugia's petition for a temporary, three-year hardship exemption from four FMVSS standards in the Transition. Terrafugia requested to use lighter weight motorcycle tires instead of RV tires, polycarbonate for the windshield and side windows, basic airbags instead of advanced, dual stage airbags and to not include an electronic stability control system.[15][16] The NHTSA granted all of the requested exemptions on June 29, 2011, but limited the stability control and airbag exemptions to one year.[17][18]

In June 2011, a delay was announced and Terrafugia's CEO estimated that about another 18 months would be required before first customer delivery in "late 2012".[19] December 2011 saw the base price increased to US$279,000.[3]

After undergoing drive tests and high-speed taxi tests, the production prototype completed its first flight on March 23, 2012 at the same airport in Plattsburgh, New York that was used for the Proof of Concept's flight testing.[20][21][22] The production prototype then made its auto show debut at the 2012 New York International Auto Show in April 2012.[23]

In June 2012, Terrafugia announced that the Transition had completed the first of six phases of flight testing.[24][25] By July, the second phase of testing was underway, expanding the performance envelope in the sky and continuing drive testing on the ground.[26]

In January 2013, development continued and the company announced that it might be necessary to construct a third, completely new prototype, due to the large number of modifications required.[27] The modifications to date are said to appear to have improved the previous handling characteristics.[28]

By March 2014, the design of the third, updated prototype had progressed to finalization of the major structural members[29] and a statement to investors said that it would be used in final compliance testing for certification before the first customer delivery which was then estimated to take at least another 18 months and occur "in 2015".[30]

By April 2014, 12 two-person test flights had taken place; this was the first time that anyone other than Terrafugia's chief test pilot had flown the Transition.[31] As of 22 August 2014, first customer delivery was hoped for in about 18 months "in the second quarter of 2016."[32]

In December 2014 the company asked the FAA to allow the Transition to be operated at a gross weight of 1,800 lb (816 kg) instead of the light-sport aircraft maximum weight of 1,320 lb (599 kg) and have a stall speed of 54 kn (100 km/h; 62 mph) instead of the category maximum of 45 kn (83 km/h; 52 mph). The company indicated that the increases were required to allow inclusion of structures to meet FMVSS ground operation safety regulations. The company had previously been granted an increase in gross weight of 110 lb (50 kg) and another LSA aircraft, the ICON A5, was granted a 250 lb (113 kg) exemption to meet FAA spin resistance requirements; this new application would increase the Transition's allowed weight by a total of 480 lb (218 kg) or 36%.[33] During consultations the request for the weight increase was supported by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association. Only a few individuals expressed opposition to the request.[34] The exemption was granted by the FAA on 19 June 2016.[35][36][37]

In April 2015 the company announced that parts were being built for the third version of the aircraft, and that current planning estimated the first customer delivery after roughly two years.[38]

In November 2015, the company announced that the third version of the Transition was being tested with a Rotax 912is engine, rather than the Rotax 912ULS that the second prototype had flown with.[39]

Specifications

Production Prototype with wings extended at New York Int'l Auto Show in April, 2012
Prototype with wings partially folded
Prototype with wings folded
Internal cockpit view

Data from Terrafugia Transition Proof of Concept specifications.[40][41][42] Terrafugia Transition 2010 specifications.[43]

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics
Glass panel; the Proof-of-Concept airplane includes:[47][48][49][50]

The Production Prototype has a glass cockpit including:[6][51][52][53]

References

  1. 1 2 Haines, Thomas B. (19 March 2009). "First roadable airplane takes flight". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  2. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY Make / Model Inquiry Results; Make/Model Code Entered: 05627LL". FAA Registry. FAA. March 7, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014. As of March 2014 Terrafugia has registered: * N302TF (proof-of-concept, s/n D0001, Airworthiness 2008-12-01); * N304TF (design prototype, s/n D0002, A/W 2013-11-26); * N305TF (design prototype, s/n D0003, no engine or A/W date listed as of March 2014
  3. 1 2 Hussey, Matt (2011-12-31). "Wait no longer: the flying car is finally ready for takeoff". Wired.co.uk. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Yahoo". yahoo.com. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  5. ↑ TERRAFUGIA presentation of Transition aircraft "The Transition", 5 march 2012
  6. 1 2 Dietrich, Anna Mracek (2011-08-11). "Transition Equipment List" (PDF). web site. Terrafugia, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-04-30. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  7. 1 2 Durbin, Dee-Ann (2012-04-02). "Flying car gets closer to reality with test flight". boston.com. Associated Press. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  8. ↑ "2012 New York: Terrafugia Transition - The Plane That Drives". motortrend.com. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  9. ↑ Phillips, Matt (March 18, 2009). "Flying Car Takes First Flight". The Middle Seat Terminal. The Wall St. Journal. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  10. ↑ Mone, Gregory (October 2008). "The Driving Airplane Gets Real" (PDF). Popular Science. pp. 42–48. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-12-30. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  11. 1 2 3 "'Flying Car' Gets Big Break From FAA". CBS News. 2010-06-30. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  12. ↑ "Exemption number 10072" (PDF). FAA. 2010-05-27. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  13. ↑ ""Flying Car" Moves Closer to First Delivery". Terrafugia. 2010-07-26. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  14. ↑ Fast Lane to Sky High, Ansys Fluid flow simulation software co-pilots design of production prototype roadable aircraft by Gregor Cadman, Engineer, Terrafugia, Woburn, MA, USA
  15. ↑ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2010-11-16). "Docket No. NHTSA–2010-0154. Terrafugia, Inc.; Receipt of Application for Temporary Exemption From Requirements for Tire Selection and Rims or Motor Vehicles FMVSS No. 110, Electronic Stability Control Systems FMVSS No. 126, Glazing Materials FMVSS No. 205, and Occupant Crash Protection FMVSS No. 208" (PDF). 75 (220). U.S. GPO.
  16. ↑ Max Trescott (2010-11-18). "Terrafugia Roadable Aircraft Moves Closer to Reality". Experimental Aircraft Association.
  17. ↑ Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2011-06-29). "Terrafugia, Inc.; Grant of Application for Temporary Exemption From Certain Requirements of FMVSS No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles, FMVSS No. 126, Electronic Stability Control Systems, FMVSS No. 205, Glazing Materials, and FMVSS No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection". Federal Register. 76 (125): 38270–38279. 76 FR 38270. Retrieved 30 June 2011. Docket No. NHTSA-2010-0154, summary of section "F. Decision" allowing:
    • Use of lighter weight but equally safe motorcycle tires instead of RV tires. (three year exemption from FMVSS No. 110, S4.1 and S4.4)
    • Not including an electronic stability control system because of its weight and potential to become a single point of failure that might unintentionally throttle back the engine in flight. (one year exemption from FMVSS No. 126)
    • Use of lighter and stronger, but less scratch resistant, polycarbonate for the windshield and side windows in place of glass to more safely withstand bird strikes. (three year exemption from FMVSS No. 205, S5)
    • Use of a single-stage air bag instead of an advanced, dual-stage air bag (one year exemption from FMVSS No. 208, S14 apart from S14.5.1(a)) line feed character in |quote= at position 71 (help)
  18. ↑ Page, Lewis, "Terrafugia flying car gets road-safety exemptions", The Register, 4 July 2011; retrieved 11 July 2011.
  19. ↑ Dietrich, Carl. "CEO, Terrafugia" (PDF). Terrafugia. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  20. ↑ Jim Patten (25 March 2012). "Flying car road tested at Lawrence Municipal Airport". eagletribune.com. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  21. ↑ "First Flight for Terrafugia". Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  22. ↑ "Major Milestone takes "Flying Car" Closer to First Delivery" (PDF). terrafugia.com. April 2, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-03-23. Retrieved April 2, 2012. Terrafugia will continue its testing program in preparation for first delivery, which is expected to occur within the next year.
  23. ↑ Welsh, Jonathan (April 5, 2012). "Flying Car Maker Offers 'Show Special' Discount". Driver's Seat. Wall St. Journal. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  24. ↑ "Phase 1 Flight Testing a Success for Transition Street-Legal Airplane". Terrafugia. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  25. ↑ Jonathan Welsh (28 June 2012). "'Flying Car' Completes First Round of Flight Tests". wsj.com. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  26. ↑ "Terrafugia's Transition street-legal airplane continues flight and drive testing" (PDF). Terrafugia. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  27. ↑ "Terrafugia Transition Media Update: January 2013". Terrafugia. 2013-01-21. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  28. ↑ Niles, Russ (22 January 2013). "Third Version Of Terrafugia Transition?". AVweb. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  29. ↑ Mark Corriere, Vehicle Engineer, Terrafugia, Inc.; Nicholas Tucker, Senior Vehicle Engineer, Terrafugia, Inc. (2014-03-06). Developing the Transition Flying Car: Using Physics-Based Simulation to Design Air-worthy Composite Structures (Webinar). Tech Briefs Media Group, an SAE International Company. 22 minutes in.
  30. ↑ "Terrafugia | MIT Startups - WeFunder". WeFunder startup of the week. Terrafugia. 2013-10-22. Retrieved 15 May 2014. Delivery of the first Transition is expected in 2015. … A third prototype will incorporate those design changes and be used for final compliance testing for certification.
  31. ↑ "My First Flight in the Transition". Terrafugia. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  32. ↑ Sigal, Peter (2014-08-22). "Terrafugia Transition". New York Times.
  33. 1 2 Grady, Mary (30 December 2014). "Terrafugia Seeks Exemptions For Weight, Stall Speed". AVweb. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  34. ↑ Grady, Mary (21 January 2015). "Terrafugia Wins Support For Exemption Request". AVweb. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  35. ↑ "Flying cars almost anyone can drive — and fly — just took a big step closer to becoming legal in the U .S.". nationalpost.com. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  36. ↑ Bennett, Jay (23 June 2016). "FAA Gives Flying Car Prototype the Go-Ahead as a Light Sport Aircraft". Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  37. ↑ "Terrafugia Approved For Higher Weight, Stall Speed". AVweb. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  38. ↑ Lawler, Richard (21 April 2015). "Terrafugia's flying car project is still a couple of years away". Engaget. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  39. ↑ Terrafugia (18 November 2015). "Today at Terrafugia: Testing the Rotax 912iS Engine". Terrafugia. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  40. ↑ Dietrich, Anna Mracek (2009-03-16). "TransitionSpecs-FirstFlight-200" (PDF). Terrafugia. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  41. ↑ "Terrafugia - Transition the Roadable Light Sport Aircraft : The Vehicle". Terrafugia. 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  42. ↑ Haines, Thomas B. (May 2009). "Waypoints: From highway to airway". AOPA. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  43. ↑ "Terrafugia -Transition the Roadable Light Sport Aircraft : The Vehicle". Terrafugia. 2010-07-26. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  44. ↑ "Prince Aircraft Company - Who We Build For". Prince Aircraft Company. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  45. ↑ Ryan, David L. (2009-03-18). "'Flying car' at the Museum of Science". Boston.com (The Boston Globe). Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  46. ↑ "New York 2012: Terrafugia Transition Takes Flight". Automobile Magazine. April 5, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  47. 1 2 3 Ward, Jeff (2009-09-13). "IMG_1104". The cockpit of the Terrafugia Transition. Note the automotive steering wheel, plus the flight control stick in its flying position.
  48. ↑ "EFIS-D100". Dynon Avionics. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  49. ↑ "HS34: HSI Expansion Module Intro". Dynon Avionics. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  50. ↑ "Dynon Avionics - D120 Intro". Dynon Avionics. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  51. ↑ A Cockpit View of Suburban Driving. TerrafugiaInc. 2012-03-12.
  52. ↑ "Dynon in Terrafugia". Dynon Avionics Official Blog. Dynon Avionics. April 4, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  53. ↑ "Transition Interior 2011 - High resolution graphic rendering". Terrafugia press images. Terrafugia, Inc. 2011-06-17. Archived from the original on 2014-03-07. Retrieved April 5, 2012. Reference to the image www.terrafugia.com/press/photos/TransitionNextGen/GraphicRendersHIRES/TransitionInterior-2011.jpg photos/TransitionNextGen/GraphicRendersHIRES/TransitionInterior-2011.jpg
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