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Flying Car Passes First Flight Test

Posted by Soulskill on from the seeking-new-metaphor-for-future-technology dept.

waderoush writes "Terrafugia — the Massachusetts company building a 'roadable aircraft' (that's flying car to you and me) — revealed at a press conference Wednesday that the Transition vehicle has been taken aloft for its maiden flight. The craft, which can fly up to 460 miles at 115 mph and then fold up its wings for 65-mph highway driving, was the subject of two hotly debated Slashdot posts on May 8 and May 13 of last year. The company said the first flight took place in Plattsburgh, NY; retired Air Force Colonel Phil Meteer was at the controls."

7 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. The future of the past by MrEricSir · · Score: 5, Funny

    Flying cars, robot vacuum cleaners... the future of the mid 60's is getting closer every day!

    --
    There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
    1. Re:The future of the past by 2.7182 · · Score: 3, Funny

      I want my television-phone!! Oh wait...

  2. Re:I've been patiently waiting for 35 years. by somersault · · Score: 3, Funny

    Every time I turn around I see another "flying car" that just can't get off the ground financially or technically.

    That would make a great line in a song, sung in a monotone

    --
    which is totally what she said
  3. It's a TRAP! by SoundGuyNoise · · Score: 4, Funny

    Transition® Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept.

    TRAP Concept? Oh, sign me up!

    --
    You never expect irony, do you?
    Want to be a professional wrestler? Visit www.iyfwrestling.com
    @iyfwrestling
  4. Re:I've been patiently waiting for 35 years. by Mr2cents · · Score: 3, Funny

    I know at least one reporter that's going to be thrilled...

    --
    "It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton LaVey
  5. You want idiots in the air too? by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 3, Funny

    While I am looking forward to a flying car, on the condition it doesn't consume more fuel that the current automobile, I can't wonder who will be driving those things. At least with current aviation you know that people have a pilot's license and have a certain sense of wanting to live, but if I look at some of the drivers around me when I drive, then I can't help wonder whether putting these people at the helm of a flying vehicle would be such a wise thing. Imagine:

    normal:
    - driving instructor: look left and right before entering the intersection
    - ditsy learner: ooh look at the flowers
    - driving instructor: watch out for the car!!!!

    flying:
    - driving instructor: look all around you before crossing the vertical air junction
    - ditsy learner: ohh those cars look like ants
    - driving instructor: keep your altitude!!!

    --
    Jumpstart the tartan drive.
  6. Back to the Future by ari_j · · Score: 3, Funny

    You guys have 6 years to come up with the technology to install a hover conversion on my Delorean. I've been waiting for a long time already, so don't fail me.