Yesterday Carl Deitrich, CEO of the new company Terrafugia Inc, introduced his brainchild, the Terrafugia Transition, to the consuming public. Dubbed the “Modern Day Chitty Chitty Bang Band”, the Terrafugia Transition is a roadable aircraft designed for travel on the road and in the air, the ultimate goal being convenience. As such, the Transition’s fully retractable wings are expected to provide for easy storage in a single car garage while its diminutive overall stature will allow the operator to utilize the 5,000 small-craft airports that currently dot the U.S. [Dietrich averages there is at least 1 such airport within any 25-mile point in the continental U.S.].

View photos taken at the Terrafugia Transition’s Proof of Concept unveiling at the EAA Air Venture “Read More”

According to Deitrich the Terrafugia Transition features a standard aircraft engine and cockpit controls, making its target demographic general aviation pilots, or those who are already familiar with aircraft navigation. Despite its aeronautical inclination, the Terrafugia Transition will not only be completely street legal but surprisingly fuel efficient as well, averaging about 30-40 mpg on the ground [28-30 mpg in the air]. Deitrich expects fully operational models to be available later this year with prices to start at around $194,000.

The Terrafugia Transition at the EAA Air Venture, Oshkosh, WI.