Terrafugia Transition Explained

The Terrafugia Transition is a light sport, roadable airplane under development by Terrafugia since 2006.[1]

The Rotax 912ULS[2] piston engine powered, carbon-fiber vehicle is planned to have a flight range of 425nmi using either automotive premium grade unleaded gasoline or 100LL avgas and a cruising flight speed of 93kn. Equipment includes a Dynon Skyview glass panel avionics system, an airframe parachute, and an optional autopilot.[3]

On the road, it can drive up to [4] with normal traffic. The Transition Production Prototype's folded dimensions of 6feet high, 7feet wide and 18feet 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.[5] In flight, the engine drives a pusher propeller. The Transition has folding wings and a 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.[6] [7]

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 1430lbs; the limit matches the MTOW for amphibious light-sport aircraft.[8] The extra 110lbs granted by the exemption provides more weight allowance for the mandatory road safety features such as airbags and bumpers.[9]

The proposed design of the production version was made by Danish designer Jens Martin Skibsted and his partners at KiBiSi[10] and made public at AirVenture Oshkosh on July 26, 2010.[11] 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.[12]

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.[13] [14] The NHTSA granted all of the requested exemptions on June 29, 2011, but limited the stability control and airbag exemptions to one year.[15] [16]

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", but this was not achieved.[17] December 2011 saw the base price increase to US$279,000 from an initial price of US$194,000.[18] [19]

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], 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 18000NaN0 instead of the light-sport aircraft maximum weight of 13200NaN0 and have a stall speed of 540NaN0 instead of the category maximum of 450NaN0. 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 1100NaN0 and another LSA aircraft, the ICON A5, was granted a 2500NaN0 exemption to meet FAA spin resistance requirements; this new application would increase the Transition's allowed weight by a total of 4800NaN0 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. Terrafugia COO/VP of Engineering Kevin Colburn also stated that the company has changed the price estimate from $279K to between $300K and $400K.[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]

As of April 2017, the company's website says: "Today, Terrafugia is finalizing production vehicle design and compliance testing in preparation for vehicle deliveries within the next three years."[40]

As of November 2017, media reports suggested a 2019 delivery date for the first vehicles.[41] [42]

In April 2018, the production prototype ("D2") was retired. While the original proof of concept vehicle had flown only about 8 hours in total, the production prototype had logged 212 flight hours, completing 317 takeoffs and landings.[43]

In July 2018 the company announced a series of upgrades that will be incorporated in the production aircraft with delivery planned for July 2019.[44] These include a hybrid-electric motor and lithium iron phosphate battery for road mode use, a Dynon electronic flight instrument system, a Ballistic Recovery Systems ballistic parachute, an inflight power boost feature, a remodeled interior, increased cargo space, improved seat belt design, airbags, plus three rearview cameras.[45]

In January 2021, Terrafugia announced that the Transition received a Special Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) airworthiness certificate from the FAA for the Transition to be flown only, with road use approval to follow in 2022.[46]

In February 2021, it was reported that Terrafugia had laid off most of their employees and would close down operations in the United States later in the year, with the intention of moving to China.[47] [48]

Specifications

The Production Prototype has a glass cockpit including:[49] [50] [51]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Flying car closer to reality. Yahoo!. 22 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20110927001153/http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/30062010/36/flying-car-closer-reality-0.html. 27 September 2011.
  2. TERRAFUGIA presentation of Transition aircraft "The Transition ", March 5, 2012
  3. Web site: Transition Equipment List . Terrafugia, Inc. . 2011-08-11 . April 20, 2012 . Dietrich, Anna Mracek. https://web.archive.org/web/20130430171226/http://www.terrafugia.com/pdf/TransitionEquipmentLists.pdf. 2013-04-30.
  4. News: Flying car gets closer to reality with test flight . The Boston Globe . 2012-04-02 . Associated Press . April 20, 2012 . Durbin, Dee-Ann.
  5. Web site: 2012 New York: Terrafugia Transition - The Plane That Drives. 6 April 2012. motortrend.com. 22 June 2016.
  6. News: Matt . Phillips . Flying Car Takes First Flight . The Middle Seat Terminal . The Wall St. Journal . March 18, 2009 . 2009-03-19.
  7. News: The Driving Airplane Gets Real . Mone . Gregory . October 2008 . Popular Science . 42–48 . 2009-03-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20081230121149/http://www.terrafugia.com/news/archives/2008-1001-PopularScience.pdf. 2008-12-30.
  8. News: 'Flying Car' Gets Big Break From FAA. CBS News . 1 July 2010 . 2010-06-30.
  9. Web site: Exemption number 10072 . PDF . FAA . 2010-05-27 . 9 July 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100704020749/http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/contentStreamer?objectId=0900006480af959c&disposition=attachment&contentType=pdf . 4 July 2010 .
  10. Web site: High Design. 2010-07-30. Boing Boing. en. 2019-05-15.
  11. Web site: "Flying Car" Moves Closer to First Delivery . Terrafugia . 2010-07-26 . 27 July 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120707003631/http://www.terrafugia.com/newsreleases.html#NextGen . 7 July 2012 .
  12. http://www.ansys.com/staticassets/ANSYS/staticassets/resourcelibrary/article/AA-V5-I1-Fast-Lane-to-Sky-High.pdf 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
  13. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 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. Federal Register. 75. 220. 2010-11-16. U.S. GPO.
  14. Web site: Terrafugia Roadable Aircraft Moves Closer to Reality . Max . Trescott . 2010-11-18 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20101124153628/http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-11-18_terrafugia.asp . 2010-11-24.
  15. 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. 2011-06-29. 76. 125. 38270–38279. 30 June 2011. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 76 FR 38270. 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)).
  16. Page, Lewis, "Terrafugia flying car gets road-safety exemptions", The Register, 4 July 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  17. Web site: Dietrich. Carl. CEO, Terrafugia. Terrafugia. 30 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110816003840/http://www.terrafugia.com/pdf/LetterToNewsletterSubscribers-2011-06-10.pdf. 16 August 2011.
  18. News: Wait no longer: the flying car is finally ready for takeoff. Wired . 2011-12-31 . April 4, 2012 . Hussey, Matt.
  19. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 83. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
  20. Web site: Flying car road tested at Lawrence Municipal Airport. Jim. Patten. 25 March 2012. 25 March 2012. eagletribune.com.
  21. Web site: First Flight for Terrafugia. April 2, 2012 . 2 April 2012.
  22. Web site: Major Milestone takes 'Flying Car' Closer to First Delivery . April 2, 2012 . April 2, 2012. terrafugia.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20130323063609/http://terrafugia.com/pdf/PressReleaseProductionPrototypeFirstFlight-2012-0402.pdf. 2013-03-23. Terrafugia will continue its testing program in preparation for first delivery, which is expected to occur within the next year..
  23. Web site: Flying Car Maker Offers 'Show Special' Discount. 2012-07-30. April 5, 2012. Jonathan . Welsh. Driver's Seat. Wall Street Journal.
  24. Web site: Phase 1 Flight Testing a Success for Transition Street-Legal Airplane . Terrafugia . 28 June 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120707003631/http://www.terrafugia.com/newsreleases.html . 7 July 2012 .
  25. Web site: 'Flying Car' Completes First Round of Flight Tests. Jonathan. Welsh. 28 June 2012. 1 July 2012. The Wall Street Journal.
  26. Web site: Terrafugia's Transition street-legal airplane continues flight and drive testing . Terrafugia . 30 July 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130313172615/http://www.terrafugia.com/pdf/TerrafugiaPressRelease2012-0716.pdf . 13 March 2013 .
  27. Web site: Terrafugia Transition Media Update: January 2013. Terrafugia. 16 May 2014. 2013-01-21.
  28. News: Third Version Of Terrafugia Transition? . 24 January 2013. Niles. Russ. 22 January 2013. AVweb.
  29. Mark Corriere, Vehicle Engineer, Terrafugia, Inc.; Nicholas Tucker, Senior Vehicle Engineer, Terrafugia, Inc. . 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 . 28 . 2014-03-06 .
  30. Web site: Terrafugia MIT Startups - WeFunder. WeFunder startup of the week. Terrafugia. 15 May 2014. 2013-10-22. 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. Web site: My First Flight in the Transition. Terrafugia. 27 May 2014. 22 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140527212323/http://www.terrafugia.com/news/my-first-flight-transition. 27 May 2014.
  32. News: Sigal. Peter. Terrafugia Transition. The New York Times. 2014-08-22.
  33. News: Terrafugia Seeks Exemptions For Weight, Stall Speed. 1 January 2015. Grady. Mary. 30 December 2014. AVweb.
  34. News: Terrafugia Wins Support For Exemption Request. 26 January 2015. Grady. Mary. 21 January 2015. AVweb.
  35. Web site: Flying cars almost anyone can drive — and fly — just took a big step closer to becoming legal in the U .S.. National Post. 22 June 2016.
  36. Web site: FAA Gives Flying Car Prototype the Go-Ahead as a Light Sport Aircraft . Jay . Bennett . 23 June 2016 . Popular Mechanics . 24 June 2016.
  37. Web site: Terrafugia Approved For Higher Weight, Stall Speed. AVweb. June 23, 2016 . 24 June 2016.
  38. Web site: Terrafugia's flying car project is still a couple of years away. Lawler . Richard . 21 April 2015 . 22 April 2015 . Engaget .
  39. Web site: Today at Terrafugia: Testing the Rotax 912iS Engine . 18 November 2015 . Terrafugia . Terrafugia . 14 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151219025656/http://www.terrafugia.com/news/today-terrafugia-testing-rotax-912is-engine . 19 December 2015 .
  40. Web site: The Transition . Terrafugia . Terrafugia . 21 April 2017.
  41. Web site: Geely acquires U.S. flying-car developer Terrafugia. Yang . Jian . 16 November 2017 . 13 November 2017 . Automotive News .
  42. Web site: Terrafugia aims to launch flying car in 2019 after takeover by Geely. Sam . Sheehan . 16 November 2017 . 16 November 2017 . Autocar Professional .
  43. Web site: Welcome Back D2! . Terrafugia . Terrafugia . 24 April 2018 . 5 June 2018.
  44. Web site: First Terrafugia Delivery Next July. AVweb Flash. July 2018. Terrafugia hopes to deliver its first production flying car in July of 2019, company officials told a news conference at AirVenture 2018 Tuesday. The company hasn't been at the big show for several years but received a major cash injection late last year when it was bought by Chinese automaker Geely, which owns Volvo and Lotus..
  45. Web site: Terrafugia Updates Transition. 19 July 2018. O'Connor. Kate. AVweb . 17 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20190325190827/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:S1p3A7DmCG8J:https://cdn.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Terrafugia-Updates-Transition-231151-1.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us. March 25, 2019.
  46. Web site: Terrafugia Inc.. Terrafugia Announces FAA Special Light-Sport Airworthiness Certificate. 2021-01-27. PR Newswire. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20221219021000/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/terrafugia-announces-faa-special-light-sport-airworthiness-certificate-301214444.html. 19 December 2022. live. Alt URL
  47. Web site: Mass Layoffs Said To Hit Terrafugia Weeks After Its Flying Car Was FAA-Approved. 2021-02-20. Forbes. en.
  48. Web site: Layoffs Reported At Terrafugia. 15 February 2021. O'Connor. Kate. AVweb. 17 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210218011116/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/layoffs-reported-at-terrafugia/. 18 February 2021. live.
  49. A Cockpit View of Suburban Driving . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/4Xh1S6gYVf4 . 2021-12-20 . live. TerrafugiaInc . 2012-03-12.
  50. Web site: Dynon in Terrafugia . Dynon Avionics Official Blog . Dynon Avionics . April 4, 2012 . April 5, 2012.
  51. Web site: Transition Interior 2011 - High resolution graphic rendering . https://web.archive.org/web/20140307224815/http://sindividendos.com/wp-content/plugins/rss-poster/cache/c1f1c_TransitionInterior-2011.jpg. 2014-03-07. Terrafugia press images . Terrafugia, Inc . 2011-06-17 . 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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